Does your furry friend love the outdoors just as much as you do? Even if you’re not a seasoned camper, finding dog-friendly camping sites near you is easier than you might think. In fact, NSW is loaded with some high-quality pet-friendly camping dedicated to you and your pooch. Here are our recommendations for the best dog-friendly camping spots in NSW.
Dog Friendly Campsites At a Glance:
- Best holiday park: Halifax Holiday Park
- Best for a camping adventure: Turon Gates
- Best with dog friendly cabins: Riverwood Downs
- Best for powered sites: Merry Beach Caravan Park
- Best for lush green grass: Wollondilly River Station
- Best for pristine beaches: Mystery Bay Campground
Table of contents
- 1. Mystery Bay Campground
- 2. Old Bara Campsite
- 3. Delicate Campground
- 4. Turon Gates
- 5. Halifax Holiday Park
- 6. Riverwood Downs
- 7. Merry Beach Caravan Park
- 8. Wollondilly River Station
- 9. Shoal Bay Holiday Park
- 10. Wee Jasper Reserves
- 11. Lake St Clair
- Camping Doggy Do’s & Don’ts
- How MoM Made This List
- Alternatives to Best Campgrounds for Dogs
- Dog-Friendly Camping Spots in NSW FAQs
1. Mystery Bay Campground
- Address: 190 Mystery Bay Rd, Mystery Bay NSW 2546
- Phone: +61 (04) 2862 2357
- Distance from Sydney: 359km (5 hrs)
Just a few kilometres off the Princes Highway, you’ll find yourself in New South Wales’ most picturesque dog-friendly campsite. Mystery Bay Campground has stunning oceanfront views. You and your pup will love being surrounded by all the native flora and fauna. It’s a fantastic spot for surfing, fishing, and even local whale-watching cruises. Facilities include cold showers, water taps, and pretty decent long drops. Just FYI it can get busy, especially during the school holidays, so make sure you book ahead.
2. Old Bara Campsite
- Address: 631 Bara Rd, Mudgee NSW 2850
- Phone: +61 (02) 6373 6555
- Distance from Sydney: 285km (3 hrs 45 mins)
Located on a private farm, Old Bara offers a true bush camping experience. Guests and their doggos can explore the local area with plenty of picturesque walking and cycling tracks. If the water’s more your thing, go for a splash in the nearby creek. The campsites are all private, so you can relax without any annoying neighbours! No showers, unfortunately, but their amenities have been voted, by campers, as the best loos in Australia!
3. Delicate Campground
- Address: 1010 Point Plomer Rd, Crescent Head NSW 2440
- Phone: +61 (02) 6561 6700
- Distance from Sydney: 452km (4 hrs 45 mins)
Located in Goolawah Regional Park, you’ll find one of the few beach camping areas in northern NSW where you can bring your pooch along! There are heaps of activities here, from snorkelling and surfing to walking your dog on the off-leash beach. With all this and so much more, Delicate Campground is by far one of the best dog-friendly camping spots in NSW!
4. Turon Gates
- Address: 942 Upper Turon Rd, Capertee NSW 2846
- Phone: +61 (02) 9969 3818
- Distance from Sydney: 196km (3 hrs)
Situated along the Turon River, in the valley of the Blue Mountains, Turon Gates is one of the best dog-friendly camping sites in NSW. Amenities include hot showers and washrooms, and the views are second to none! Sites are unpowered and unallocated, just pick a spot and settle in for the night. They even have pet-friendly cottages and glamping tents if you love nature but don’t want to sacrifice your creature comforts.
5. Halifax Holiday Park
- Address: 5 Beach Rd, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
- Phone: +61 (02) 4988 0990
- Distance from Sydney: 217km (2 hrs 30 mins)
Surrounded by calm water beaches and set in scenic bushland, Halifax Holiday Park is the ideal choice for all the family. The park is a 15-minute stroll to the centre of Nelson Bay, where you’ll find a variety of cafes, shops and restaurants, and boating enthusiasts will love the adjacent boat ramp and nearby marina. With the park boasting a well-equipped camp kitchen, lounge seating, and guest laundry, why stay for the weekend when you can stay all week?!
6. Riverwood Downs
- Address: 311 Monkerai Rd, Monkerai NSW 2415
- Phone: 1800 809 772
- Distance from Sydney: 251km (3 hrs)
Relax in the secluded forests of Barrington Tops National Park. Choose from the riverside or parkland camping at the 750-acre property with 5k of mountain river-frontage at the beautiful Riverwood Downs. There’s plenty to do with doggo here, from walking trails to splashing around in the cool mountain pools. After all that activity, you can sit back and relax at the onsite spa or treat yourself to a pint (you, not doggo!) at the Woodside Bar and Grill.
7. Merry Beach Caravan Park
- Address: 46 Merry Beach Rd, Kioloa NSW 2539
- Phone: +61 (02) 4457 1065
- Distance from Sydney: 260km (3 hrs 45 mins)
Merry Beach Caravan Park is by far one of the best dog-friendly holiday parks in NSW and one of the only with a beachfront view. Here you can choose between powered and unpowered sites or even splash out on an ensuite site with your very own bathroom! La di da! This is pet friendly camping at its finest.
8. Wollondilly River Station
- Address: Wombeyan Caves Rd, Wombeyan Caves NSW 2580
- Phone: +61 (02) 4888 9207
- Distance from Sydney: 164km (2hrs 30 mins)
Situated in the Southern Highlands, Wollondilly River Station offers an authentic bushland camping experience. It’s probably one of the most dog friendly campgrounds in NSW as it’s privately owned, and the owners pride themselves on not overcrowding the site (even during peak season) so you’ll be sure to have plenty of space. Plus, dogs are allowed off-leash as long as they are under control. It’s definitely back to basics here; there’s no power, no drinking water, and no lights in the portaloos, so make sure you’re fully equipped… and don’t forget a torch.
9. Shoal Bay Holiday Park
- Address: 71 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay NSW 2315
- Phone: +61 (02) 4988 0990
- Distance from Sydney: 218km (2hrs 30 mins)
For those who can’t bear to leave their best friend at home, Shoal Bay Holiday Park is perfect for dog lovers! Overlooking Shoal Bay, one of NSW’s most beautiful beaches, this park is perfect for relaxing on the beach or taking the dog for a long walk. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed during NSW school holidays or peak times so make sure you check your dates before you book.
10. Wee Jasper Reserves
- Address: 5 Nottingham Road, Wee Jasper NSW 2582
- Phone: +61 (02) 6227 9626
- Distance from Sydney: 340km (4 hrs)
Wee Jasper is a family run campsite with 4 different camping areas – all totally different and unique. From here you can visit local caves, the nearby Micalong Swimming hole, or put your pup on a lead and go trekking along one of the many bushwalks along Micalong Creek. The river is ideal for fishing (cook up your catch on the campfire!) and there are rope swings along the river walk for the kids too!
11. Lake St Clair
- Address: 1719 Carrowbrook Rd, St Clair NSW, 2330
- Phone: (02) 5522 4010
- Distance from Sydney: 243km (2 hrs 45 mins)
Just a half-hour drive from Singleton, Lake St Clair is your go-to spot for outdoor fun. Nestled near Mt Royal National Park, it’s a massive playground for water sports and fishing. There’s plenty of room for your pup to run around but they must be on-leash at all times! Heads up, though—you’ll need to book in advance as this campsite does book out!
Additional Pet Friendly Camping Spots
We’ve listed our favourite spots above – but there are so many doggo friendly camping spots in NSW … so here are an extra few worth checking out!
- Bonny Hills Holiday Park
- Rainbow Beach
- Lake Burrendong
- Murray River
- Diamond Waters Caravan Park (Camden Haven)
Camping Doggy Do’s & Don’ts
It’s a privilege to be able to take our fur babies camping – so here are some do’s and don’ts to make the experience enjoyable for all!
Doggy Do’s
- Make sure your dog has proper ventilation, shade, and water if left unattended in your vehicle.
- Be knowledgeable of diseases that dogs can contract through plants, insects, and wildlife.
- Respect campground rules and abide by off-leash and on-leash areas.
- Pick up after your dog and dispose of the waste in appropriate bins.
Doggy Don’ts…
- Forget the dog food!
- Leave your dog unattended outside.
- Let your dog off-leash in on-lead areas
How MoM Made This List
The Man of Many team put this list together using our own experiences (we love dogs too!), Google reviews of campsites, and tips from dog-friendly NSW camping groups.
Alternatives to Best Campgrounds for Dogs
- 18 Best Beach Camping Spots in NSW
- 12 Best Swag Tents for Camping
- 18 Best Glamping Spots Near Sydney
- 40+ Camping Essentials for Your Next Adventure
- 12 Best Fishing Spots in Sydney
Dog-Friendly Camping Spots in NSW FAQs
Heading to Lake St Clair? Great news— it’s a top spot for both dog lovers and fishing enthusiasts. You can bring your four-legged friend along and enjoy the open space. Keen on fishing? You’re in luck. Bass and Perch are the local stars, so you might just reel in a big one.
Fur babies aren’t allowed in national parks in New South Wales or any national park in Australia. This policy is in place to protect native wildlife and the natural environment, so it’s essential to respect it.
Caravan parks such as Shoal Bay Holiday Park and Merry Beach Caravan Park are both excellent options for you and your pooch. There are plenty of pet-friendly campsites across NSW to choose from if you are after a getaway with your four legged companion.
