Weekend Camping Guides
Weekend Camping Guides Bents Basin State Conservation Area
Words: Siân Edwards
A hidden gem within an hour’s drive of Sydney, Bents Basin State Conservation Area has everything you need for a rural weekend away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Saturday 8.00 am – Say farewell to Sydney and take the M4 motorway for 35 km west. Take the Mamre Road exit at St Clair passing the historic Mamre House Homestead before turning right onto Luddenham Road. 9.00 am – Follow the winding road for about 15 km to the small township of Luddenham, which dates back to the 1800s. Here you can stop for brunch at the cosy Luddenham Village Café (the Breakfast of Champions should keep you full for the whole day!) and see the town’s historic church, before continuing on to Sydney’s oldest continuously operating winery, Vicarys Winery (www.vicaryswinery.com.au). 11 am – Operating since 1923, wander the grounds on The Northern Road to view the original farmhouse, circa 1860, before enjoying wine tastings in the cellar door while the kids ride the Thomas the Tank train at The Train Shed (www.thetrainshed.com.au). Tickets are $6.00 each or six for $30.00. Unlimited ride passes are also available for $35 per child per day. A craft market is held here on the second Sunday of every month including free entry and wine tastings if you prefer to drop by on your way home. 12.30 pm – Free picnic tables and BBQs are onsite for lunch or choose to head straight for your final destination, which is just under 30 minutes away. Continue on The Northern Road until you reach Dwyer Road and turn right. Take another right onto Greendale Road and then left onto Wolstenholme Avenue to the southern entrance of Bents Basin State Conservation Area. Follow the signs to the camping grounds. 1 pm – You’ve made it! Take your pick of campsites amongst the many weekend campers (tents, caravans and trailers are welcome). Extremely popular during peak season, bookings are essential. Camping fees ($14.00 per adult, $7.00 per child per night in peak season) plus a $7 per vehicle per day fee apply. You can also hire the full camp kitchen and shelter for $55 each per day. Contact the Nattai Area office on 02 4774 6800 for further information. Once you’re set up, relax by the camp kitchen, enjoy a picnic, go fishing or swim in the deep waterhole. If you’re feeling more adventurous, head for the northern entrance off Bents Basin Road, only a five minute drive away, and walk the Caleys Lookout Track, which is a short (but 8 |
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Jervis Bay: Booderee National Park and surrounds Jervis Bay, on the south coast of New South Wales, is an idyllic location for a weekend getaway, or a longer holiday if you have the time.
Bents Basin watering hole is perfect for kayaks, boats and swimming. Photo: OEH
steep) walk to a lookout over the Nepean River and surrounds. Sunday options – Take it easy today, there’s no rush when you’re not far from home. A place not to miss while you’re in the area is the Warragamba Dam in nearby Wallacia. Taken from the Aboriginal words Warra and Gamba, meaning water running over rocks, it is the home of Sydney’s largest water supply dam. Enjoy the interactive exhibitions found inside the new visitors centre while you get your bearings of this major piece of engineering infrastructure, or take a self-guided tour around the dam grounds. Soak in the views from three main lookouts including nearby Eighteenth Street Lookout that provides the best view of the height of the dam wall. For more information visit: www.sca.nsw.gov.au If you feel like a proper feed, head to local favourite Jagerstubn Restaurant a t H u b e r t u s C o u n t r y C l u b ( w w w. huber tuscount r yclub.com). The restaurant opens from midday and serves enormous plates of German staples such as schnitzel and pork knuckle with large steins of beer and has a great grassed area for the children to run about. When you’re ready, say goodbye to the quiet country roads and head back to civilisation via the M4 motorway and home. Alternative route: If you want to get home quicker, follow The Northern Road in the opposite direction towards Campbelltown and join the Hume Highway and then M5 back to Sydney.
Bents Basin Camping Trip Distance from Sydney: 72 km one-way Travel time (without stops): Just over an hour Things to do: Hiking, walking, nature spotting, swimming, photography, fishing and picnicking Pets: No Camping: Tents, car, trailer, caravan Facilities: BBQ, camp kitchen, picnic tables, flush toilets, water, power, hot showers, playground, swimming hole Mobile phone coverage: Yes Campsite bookings: www.npws.nsw.gov.au or 02 4774 6800 Activity information: Check www.npws.nsw.gov.au for Discovery Tours and camping news. Fishing licences are required. What to bring: Swimmers and towels, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, camera, insect repellent, warm clothes for at night, BYO firewood
Two-day hassle free trip plans to all points out of Sydney.
Only three hours from Sydney along the Princes Highway, the drive itself is quite scenic. To make the most of the weekend, it’s best to make an early start. B o o d e re e N a t i o n a l Pa r k ( w w w. parksaustralia.gov.au) is home to three camping grounds and a fair few beaches. Green Patch and Cave Beach campgrounds are popular with families and small groups, while Bristol Point is the favoured spot if you are in a large group. Fitting into the latter category, we booked a site at Bristol Point because the site is only a few metres from the beach and a 50-metre walk from the car. It is a great spot for those that love the beach. We spent the first afternoon swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and just soaking up the sun. The evening was a lot more relaxed around the campsite enjoying a few drinks, food and the fire. There is a designated fireplace for each site and wood is easily available. Around sunset, it is not uncommon to get a few ‘visitors’ in the form of wallabies and kangaroos, as well as the occasional possum wanting to steal your food! There is a lot to do around Booderee National Park, including short day hikes or a visit to the botanic gardens. We were fortunate to have the time to fit in three hikes and a visit to the gardens over the two days. It is possible to walk from Bristol Point to Green Patch during low tide across rocky platforms, but be prepared to swim if the tide isn’t low. We did and it was a whole lot of fun! Additionally, we completed a loop-walk near Murrays Beach, which took about two hours. Another beautiful walk is near Steamers Beach. Initially, we intended to explore St Georges Headland, which is an 11-kilometre walk. However, we only completed part of it and returned due to a twisted ankle experienced by one of our group. The entire circuit is approximately five hours or about three if you return from St Georges Head. The panoramic views are spectacular with the blue hues of the ocean mesmerising any hiker. While the beaches of Jervis Bay are popular, and therefore crowded, in the warm seasons, you can get away from the crowds on a hike. The Booderee Botanic Gardens are a great place if you want to walk at a leisurely pace and have children along. They are the only Aboriginal-
Words and images: Sanchana Venkatesh
Steamers Beach.
owned botanic gardens in Australia. There are well-formed paths through rainforest and forest areas. In total, it is about a four-kilometre loop walk around the gardens and can take about an hour to complete. If you are in the mood for a picnic, it is certainly a beautiful spot to enjoy some lunch. Guided walks are available, but only on certain days and require bookings. Booderee National Park is not all that Jervis Bay has to offer. It is also home to the beach with the whitest sand in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are visiting the area, you wouldn’t want to miss Hyams Beach and spend time swimming, snorkelling or just walking along the whitest sands you can imagine. It is only a few kilometres from the national park. Personally, I think we are fortunate to have this gem just a few hours outside of Sydney. A
place to rest, relax and recuperate without having to fly or spend a lot of money. Just make sure to book early because in the warmer weather it is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Jervis Bay Camping Trip Distance from Sydney CBD: 3 hours approximately via the Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road Things to do: Hiking, camping, swimming, bird watching Fees: Yes Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage at campsites Camping: Bristol Point (tent only), Green Patch (tent, caravan, campervan), Cave Beach (tent only) Facilities: Fresh water, toilets, hot showers (Bristol Point and Green Patch), cold showers (Cave Beach), wood fireplaces (Bristol Point and Cave Beach), sheltered BBQ (Green Patch and Cave Beach) Campsite bookings: Sites need to be booked in advance by calling 02 4443 0977 or emailing [email protected]
Booderee Botanic Gardens.
What to bring: Swimmers, sunscreen, camera, binoculars (for birdwatchers), good hiking shoes, sturdy hiking pack, a sense of adventure and fun
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Royal National Park
Words and images: Siân Edwards
Located less than 30 km south of the Sydney CBD, the Royal National Park is the perfect place for young families visiting the beaches and anglers on the hunt for their next catch. 9.00 am – No need for an early start this morning, just load the car and head south on the M1 Motorway. Follow the signs for Wollongong and take the Princes Highway for 30 minutes to Farnell Avenue in Loftus. This is the entry point to the heritage-listed Royal National Park, the second oldest in the world. 10.00 am – Follow the winding road through an Australian bush corridor until the Audley Weir crossing and reach the Royal National Park Visitors Centre on the right. Here you can enjoy brunch at the Weir Cafe, part of the refurbished Audley Dancehall (www. audleydancehall.com.au) or set up your own picnic overlooking the Hacking River. The tourist information office is located in the bottom level of the centre where you can drop in to make a campsite booking, pick up a map or speak to the knowledgeable guides about the best hiking trails, beaches and fishing spots in the 16,000 ha park. The centre is open daily from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, except Christmas Day. 11.00 am – If you’re feeling like a bit of fun, don’t miss a visit to the Audley Boatshed (www. audleyboatshed.com) established in 1893 and located just across the river. Join the crowds rowing boats or paddling canoes ($45 day hire or $20 per hour minimum) along Kangaroo Creek. The kids will love racing each other on an aqua bike ($15 per 30 minutes). 12.30 pm – When you’re exhausted, jump back in the car and continue along Lady Carrington Drive towards Sir Bertram Stevens Drive for another 20 km until you reach the Bonnie Vale Campground entrance located on Seabreeze Lane, just off Bundeena Drive. Vehicle entry fees are $11 per vehicle per day. 1.00 pm – Bonnie Vale Campground is the perfect place to set up camp within the Bundeena precinct of the Royal National Park. The largest campground in the park, you’ll find it situated between a large sand spit and the Basin River – a popular choice for families and fishermen alike. It’s suitable for tents, car and caravan camping with flush toilets and hot showers. Sites are unpowered. Note: prepaid bookings are essential and can be made in person at the Royal National Park Visitor Centre, online at www. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 PARKS (1300 072 757). A site will set you back $28 per night (for two people) and then $14/$7 per additional adult/child respectively. Kids under four are free. 2.00 pm – From here you are free to do as you please; wander the grounds, walk the trails, swim at the beach, hire a paddle board or kayak (www.bundeenakayaks.com.au), fish in the nearby river or just relax in your camping home away from home. 10 |
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Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains
Words and images: Damian Antonio
Sometimes the simple things in life are the best, and that rule certainly applies to Ingar Campground in the Blue Mountains National Park. Surrounded by the best bushwalking in NSW, this idyllic spot makes for the perfect weekend away.
Kayak the Bundeena Basin where the sea meets the river.
Sunday – Wake up to native birds singing and the gentle sound of the water lapping at the edge of the beach. Use one on the onsite BBQs to cook up breakfast or walk around the water’s edge to the sleepy town of Bundeena for a relaxing brunch at one of the cafes. You have all day to enjoy before packing up and heading home, an easy hour away. Alternate camping option – If you’re looking for more adventure, why not try the 26 km Coast Track that starts at Beachcomber Avenue and runs from Bundeena to Otford? Keen walkers can make the trail in a single day, but most break it up with an overnight stopover in the camping ground at North Era, which is only accessible by foot. You will need to carry all your supplies or you can drive to Garie Beach and walk 3 km there ($5 for adults/$3 for children per night). The track is one of the most popular walks, particularly during whale watching season (June – November), for its breathtaking views along the coast. For the latest sightings visit www.wildaboutwhales.com.au. Row a boat at Audley Weir.
Royal National Park Camping Trip Distance from Sydney: 56 km one-way to Bundeena (33 km to entrance of Royal National Park) Travel time (without stops): Just over an hour Things to do: Hiking, walking, nature spotting, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, photography, fishing and picnicking Pets: No Camping: Tents, car, trailer, caravan Facilities: BBQ, picnic tables, flush toilets, water, hot showers, playground, beach, river Mobile phone coverage: Yes Campsite bookings: www.npws.nsw.gov.au or 1300 072 757 Activity information: Check www.npws.nsw.gov.au for Discovery Tours and camping news. Fishing licences are required. Wood fire and fuel BBQs are prohibited. What to bring: Swimmers and towels, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, camera, binoculars, insect repellent, warm clothes for at night
Since Ingar Campground is run on a firstcome-first-served basis, it’s best to get the jump on other campers by starting early. Hop on the M4 at about 7.30 am and you could be setting up camp by 9.00 am. If you want to break the trip up a little, stop for brekkie along the way. Historic Springwood is the easy option with a number of good cafés. Alternatively, be a little more adventurous and take a slight detour to Lindsay’s Café in Faulconbridge. As part of the Norman Lindsay Gallery, situated in a beautiful bushland setting, you can enjoy a coffee as much as the fantastic works of art by one of Australia’s great artists. From Springwood it’s another 40 minutes to Ingar Campground, the last nine kilometres of which includes a fairly bumpy and steep drive along Ingar Fire Trail. This should be fine for normal vehicles in dry conditions, but four-wheel drive may be necessary if it’s wet. At the end of the trail, the dense bushland of scribbly gums give the campground a wild feel, but the magic of the place truly comes alive with the captivating waterhole on Ingar Creek. Complete with a cascading waterfall over a rocky cliff, lush green reeds around the perimeter, and a couple of rope swings for the kids, this oasis is visually stunning. After settling in to your site, whether it’s prime waterfront property or a more private bushland spot up the back, it’s time to decide what to do with the rest of the day. Given the beauty of the place, no one would begrudge you spending the afternoon floating on a Li-lo with drink in hand. If you want to work up a little sweat, however, there are plenty of walks and mountain biking trails nearby. That evening, be sure to take advantage of Ingar’s other jewel: the fire pits located in each of the sites. There aren’t too many places in the mountains where you can still build a fire, so don’t miss this opportunity to roast marshmallows and chat around the flames. It’s BYO firewood and always use safe campfire practices. The next morning, be sure to get the day started right with a revitalising swim and a hearty bush breakfast. Then, once you’ve packed up camp, it’s time to put on your walking shoes. You could explore the various trails around the campground, but with Wentworth Falls – arguably the best bushwalking in the mountains – just around the corner, you’re better off jumping in the car and heading back out to Tableland Road. Turn into Chester Road; at the end is a walking trail that leads to the edge of the Kings Tableland plateau with great viewing areas of the vast Valley of the Waters, the magnificent Wentworth Falls, and the dramatic cliff lines on the opposite side
The magnificent Wentworth Falls and its natural pools.
of the valley. If you haven’t done enough bathing in heavenly waterholes already, trek down to the base of the falls to bask in the natural pools while soaking up the spectacular scenery. By the time you’ve completed the steep hike back up to the car, you’ll probably be famished. Katoomba, the heart of the Blue Mountains, offers a range of great lunch spots and is only ten minutes along the Great Western Highway. It also offers an abundance of post-lunch walks. If you’ve done enough walking, head to the Scenic Skyway at Scenic World – because there’s no better way to end a relaxing weekend than by floating through the sky 270 metres above the earth.
Wentworth Falls Camping Trip Distance from Parramatta: 83 km Travel time: 1 hr 15 min Things to do: Bushwalking, mountain biking, bird watching, swimming Fees: Nil Pets: Not allowed Camping: Tents. Sites not suitable for large camper trailers or caravans. Mobile phone coverage: No Facilities: Picnic tables, pit toilets, swimming holes, wood fire pits (BYO firewood) Campsite bookings: Not available Activity information: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)
A typical campsite at Ingar Campground.
What to bring: Drinking water (alternatively treat/boil water from dam), insect repellent, clothes for all weather, firewood, Li-lo, walking shoes, hat, camera
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Words: Siân Edwards
A hidden gem within an hour’s drive of Sydney, Bents Basin State Conservation Area has everything you need for a rural weekend away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Saturday 8.00 am – Say farewell to Sydney and take the M4 motorway for 35 km west. Take the Mamre Road exit at St Clair passing the historic Mamre House Homestead before turning right onto Luddenham Road. 9.00 am – Follow the winding road for about 15 km to the small township of Luddenham, which dates back to the 1800s. Here you can stop for brunch at the cosy Luddenham Village Café (the Breakfast of Champions should keep you full for the whole day!) and see the town’s historic church, before continuing on to Sydney’s oldest continuously operating winery, Vicarys Winery (www.vicaryswinery.com.au). 11 am – Operating since 1923, wander the grounds on The Northern Road to view the original farmhouse, circa 1860, before enjoying wine tastings in the cellar door while the kids ride the Thomas the Tank train at The Train Shed (www.thetrainshed.com.au). Tickets are $6.00 each or six for $30.00. Unlimited ride passes are also available for $35 per child per day. A craft market is held here on the second Sunday of every month including free entry and wine tastings if you prefer to drop by on your way home. 12.30 pm – Free picnic tables and BBQs are onsite for lunch or choose to head straight for your final destination, which is just under 30 minutes away. Continue on The Northern Road until you reach Dwyer Road and turn right. Take another right onto Greendale Road and then left onto Wolstenholme Avenue to the southern entrance of Bents Basin State Conservation Area. Follow the signs to the camping grounds. 1 pm – You’ve made it! Take your pick of campsites amongst the many weekend campers (tents, caravans and trailers are welcome). Extremely popular during peak season, bookings are essential. Camping fees ($14.00 per adult, $7.00 per child per night in peak season) plus a $7 per vehicle per day fee apply. You can also hire the full camp kitchen and shelter for $55 each per day. Contact the Nattai Area office on 02 4774 6800 for further information. Once you’re set up, relax by the camp kitchen, enjoy a picnic, go fishing or swim in the deep waterhole. If you’re feeling more adventurous, head for the northern entrance off Bents Basin Road, only a five minute drive away, and walk the Caleys Lookout Track, which is a short (but 8 |
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Jervis Bay: Booderee National Park and surrounds Jervis Bay, on the south coast of New South Wales, is an idyllic location for a weekend getaway, or a longer holiday if you have the time.
Bents Basin watering hole is perfect for kayaks, boats and swimming. Photo: OEH
steep) walk to a lookout over the Nepean River and surrounds. Sunday options – Take it easy today, there’s no rush when you’re not far from home. A place not to miss while you’re in the area is the Warragamba Dam in nearby Wallacia. Taken from the Aboriginal words Warra and Gamba, meaning water running over rocks, it is the home of Sydney’s largest water supply dam. Enjoy the interactive exhibitions found inside the new visitors centre while you get your bearings of this major piece of engineering infrastructure, or take a self-guided tour around the dam grounds. Soak in the views from three main lookouts including nearby Eighteenth Street Lookout that provides the best view of the height of the dam wall. For more information visit: www.sca.nsw.gov.au If you feel like a proper feed, head to local favourite Jagerstubn Restaurant a t H u b e r t u s C o u n t r y C l u b ( w w w. huber tuscount r yclub.com). The restaurant opens from midday and serves enormous plates of German staples such as schnitzel and pork knuckle with large steins of beer and has a great grassed area for the children to run about. When you’re ready, say goodbye to the quiet country roads and head back to civilisation via the M4 motorway and home. Alternative route: If you want to get home quicker, follow The Northern Road in the opposite direction towards Campbelltown and join the Hume Highway and then M5 back to Sydney.
Bents Basin Camping Trip Distance from Sydney: 72 km one-way Travel time (without stops): Just over an hour Things to do: Hiking, walking, nature spotting, swimming, photography, fishing and picnicking Pets: No Camping: Tents, car, trailer, caravan Facilities: BBQ, camp kitchen, picnic tables, flush toilets, water, power, hot showers, playground, swimming hole Mobile phone coverage: Yes Campsite bookings: www.npws.nsw.gov.au or 02 4774 6800 Activity information: Check www.npws.nsw.gov.au for Discovery Tours and camping news. Fishing licences are required. What to bring: Swimmers and towels, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, camera, insect repellent, warm clothes for at night, BYO firewood
Two-day hassle free trip plans to all points out of Sydney.
Only three hours from Sydney along the Princes Highway, the drive itself is quite scenic. To make the most of the weekend, it’s best to make an early start. B o o d e re e N a t i o n a l Pa r k ( w w w. parksaustralia.gov.au) is home to three camping grounds and a fair few beaches. Green Patch and Cave Beach campgrounds are popular with families and small groups, while Bristol Point is the favoured spot if you are in a large group. Fitting into the latter category, we booked a site at Bristol Point because the site is only a few metres from the beach and a 50-metre walk from the car. It is a great spot for those that love the beach. We spent the first afternoon swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and just soaking up the sun. The evening was a lot more relaxed around the campsite enjoying a few drinks, food and the fire. There is a designated fireplace for each site and wood is easily available. Around sunset, it is not uncommon to get a few ‘visitors’ in the form of wallabies and kangaroos, as well as the occasional possum wanting to steal your food! There is a lot to do around Booderee National Park, including short day hikes or a visit to the botanic gardens. We were fortunate to have the time to fit in three hikes and a visit to the gardens over the two days. It is possible to walk from Bristol Point to Green Patch during low tide across rocky platforms, but be prepared to swim if the tide isn’t low. We did and it was a whole lot of fun! Additionally, we completed a loop-walk near Murrays Beach, which took about two hours. Another beautiful walk is near Steamers Beach. Initially, we intended to explore St Georges Headland, which is an 11-kilometre walk. However, we only completed part of it and returned due to a twisted ankle experienced by one of our group. The entire circuit is approximately five hours or about three if you return from St Georges Head. The panoramic views are spectacular with the blue hues of the ocean mesmerising any hiker. While the beaches of Jervis Bay are popular, and therefore crowded, in the warm seasons, you can get away from the crowds on a hike. The Booderee Botanic Gardens are a great place if you want to walk at a leisurely pace and have children along. They are the only Aboriginal-
Words and images: Sanchana Venkatesh
Steamers Beach.
owned botanic gardens in Australia. There are well-formed paths through rainforest and forest areas. In total, it is about a four-kilometre loop walk around the gardens and can take about an hour to complete. If you are in the mood for a picnic, it is certainly a beautiful spot to enjoy some lunch. Guided walks are available, but only on certain days and require bookings. Booderee National Park is not all that Jervis Bay has to offer. It is also home to the beach with the whitest sand in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are visiting the area, you wouldn’t want to miss Hyams Beach and spend time swimming, snorkelling or just walking along the whitest sands you can imagine. It is only a few kilometres from the national park. Personally, I think we are fortunate to have this gem just a few hours outside of Sydney. A
place to rest, relax and recuperate without having to fly or spend a lot of money. Just make sure to book early because in the warmer weather it is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Jervis Bay Camping Trip Distance from Sydney CBD: 3 hours approximately via the Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road Things to do: Hiking, camping, swimming, bird watching Fees: Yes Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage at campsites Camping: Bristol Point (tent only), Green Patch (tent, caravan, campervan), Cave Beach (tent only) Facilities: Fresh water, toilets, hot showers (Bristol Point and Green Patch), cold showers (Cave Beach), wood fireplaces (Bristol Point and Cave Beach), sheltered BBQ (Green Patch and Cave Beach) Campsite bookings: Sites need to be booked in advance by calling 02 4443 0977 or emailing [email protected]
Booderee Botanic Gardens.
What to bring: Swimmers, sunscreen, camera, binoculars (for birdwatchers), good hiking shoes, sturdy hiking pack, a sense of adventure and fun
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Royal National Park
Words and images: Siân Edwards
Located less than 30 km south of the Sydney CBD, the Royal National Park is the perfect place for young families visiting the beaches and anglers on the hunt for their next catch. 9.00 am – No need for an early start this morning, just load the car and head south on the M1 Motorway. Follow the signs for Wollongong and take the Princes Highway for 30 minutes to Farnell Avenue in Loftus. This is the entry point to the heritage-listed Royal National Park, the second oldest in the world. 10.00 am – Follow the winding road through an Australian bush corridor until the Audley Weir crossing and reach the Royal National Park Visitors Centre on the right. Here you can enjoy brunch at the Weir Cafe, part of the refurbished Audley Dancehall (www. audleydancehall.com.au) or set up your own picnic overlooking the Hacking River. The tourist information office is located in the bottom level of the centre where you can drop in to make a campsite booking, pick up a map or speak to the knowledgeable guides about the best hiking trails, beaches and fishing spots in the 16,000 ha park. The centre is open daily from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, except Christmas Day. 11.00 am – If you’re feeling like a bit of fun, don’t miss a visit to the Audley Boatshed (www. audleyboatshed.com) established in 1893 and located just across the river. Join the crowds rowing boats or paddling canoes ($45 day hire or $20 per hour minimum) along Kangaroo Creek. The kids will love racing each other on an aqua bike ($15 per 30 minutes). 12.30 pm – When you’re exhausted, jump back in the car and continue along Lady Carrington Drive towards Sir Bertram Stevens Drive for another 20 km until you reach the Bonnie Vale Campground entrance located on Seabreeze Lane, just off Bundeena Drive. Vehicle entry fees are $11 per vehicle per day. 1.00 pm – Bonnie Vale Campground is the perfect place to set up camp within the Bundeena precinct of the Royal National Park. The largest campground in the park, you’ll find it situated between a large sand spit and the Basin River – a popular choice for families and fishermen alike. It’s suitable for tents, car and caravan camping with flush toilets and hot showers. Sites are unpowered. Note: prepaid bookings are essential and can be made in person at the Royal National Park Visitor Centre, online at www. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 PARKS (1300 072 757). A site will set you back $28 per night (for two people) and then $14/$7 per additional adult/child respectively. Kids under four are free. 2.00 pm – From here you are free to do as you please; wander the grounds, walk the trails, swim at the beach, hire a paddle board or kayak (www.bundeenakayaks.com.au), fish in the nearby river or just relax in your camping home away from home. 10 |
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Wentworth Falls Blue Mountains
Words and images: Damian Antonio
Sometimes the simple things in life are the best, and that rule certainly applies to Ingar Campground in the Blue Mountains National Park. Surrounded by the best bushwalking in NSW, this idyllic spot makes for the perfect weekend away.
Kayak the Bundeena Basin where the sea meets the river.
Sunday – Wake up to native birds singing and the gentle sound of the water lapping at the edge of the beach. Use one on the onsite BBQs to cook up breakfast or walk around the water’s edge to the sleepy town of Bundeena for a relaxing brunch at one of the cafes. You have all day to enjoy before packing up and heading home, an easy hour away. Alternate camping option – If you’re looking for more adventure, why not try the 26 km Coast Track that starts at Beachcomber Avenue and runs from Bundeena to Otford? Keen walkers can make the trail in a single day, but most break it up with an overnight stopover in the camping ground at North Era, which is only accessible by foot. You will need to carry all your supplies or you can drive to Garie Beach and walk 3 km there ($5 for adults/$3 for children per night). The track is one of the most popular walks, particularly during whale watching season (June – November), for its breathtaking views along the coast. For the latest sightings visit www.wildaboutwhales.com.au. Row a boat at Audley Weir.
Royal National Park Camping Trip Distance from Sydney: 56 km one-way to Bundeena (33 km to entrance of Royal National Park) Travel time (without stops): Just over an hour Things to do: Hiking, walking, nature spotting, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, photography, fishing and picnicking Pets: No Camping: Tents, car, trailer, caravan Facilities: BBQ, picnic tables, flush toilets, water, hot showers, playground, beach, river Mobile phone coverage: Yes Campsite bookings: www.npws.nsw.gov.au or 1300 072 757 Activity information: Check www.npws.nsw.gov.au for Discovery Tours and camping news. Fishing licences are required. Wood fire and fuel BBQs are prohibited. What to bring: Swimmers and towels, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, camera, binoculars, insect repellent, warm clothes for at night
Since Ingar Campground is run on a firstcome-first-served basis, it’s best to get the jump on other campers by starting early. Hop on the M4 at about 7.30 am and you could be setting up camp by 9.00 am. If you want to break the trip up a little, stop for brekkie along the way. Historic Springwood is the easy option with a number of good cafés. Alternatively, be a little more adventurous and take a slight detour to Lindsay’s Café in Faulconbridge. As part of the Norman Lindsay Gallery, situated in a beautiful bushland setting, you can enjoy a coffee as much as the fantastic works of art by one of Australia’s great artists. From Springwood it’s another 40 minutes to Ingar Campground, the last nine kilometres of which includes a fairly bumpy and steep drive along Ingar Fire Trail. This should be fine for normal vehicles in dry conditions, but four-wheel drive may be necessary if it’s wet. At the end of the trail, the dense bushland of scribbly gums give the campground a wild feel, but the magic of the place truly comes alive with the captivating waterhole on Ingar Creek. Complete with a cascading waterfall over a rocky cliff, lush green reeds around the perimeter, and a couple of rope swings for the kids, this oasis is visually stunning. After settling in to your site, whether it’s prime waterfront property or a more private bushland spot up the back, it’s time to decide what to do with the rest of the day. Given the beauty of the place, no one would begrudge you spending the afternoon floating on a Li-lo with drink in hand. If you want to work up a little sweat, however, there are plenty of walks and mountain biking trails nearby. That evening, be sure to take advantage of Ingar’s other jewel: the fire pits located in each of the sites. There aren’t too many places in the mountains where you can still build a fire, so don’t miss this opportunity to roast marshmallows and chat around the flames. It’s BYO firewood and always use safe campfire practices. The next morning, be sure to get the day started right with a revitalising swim and a hearty bush breakfast. Then, once you’ve packed up camp, it’s time to put on your walking shoes. You could explore the various trails around the campground, but with Wentworth Falls – arguably the best bushwalking in the mountains – just around the corner, you’re better off jumping in the car and heading back out to Tableland Road. Turn into Chester Road; at the end is a walking trail that leads to the edge of the Kings Tableland plateau with great viewing areas of the vast Valley of the Waters, the magnificent Wentworth Falls, and the dramatic cliff lines on the opposite side
The magnificent Wentworth Falls and its natural pools.
of the valley. If you haven’t done enough bathing in heavenly waterholes already, trek down to the base of the falls to bask in the natural pools while soaking up the spectacular scenery. By the time you’ve completed the steep hike back up to the car, you’ll probably be famished. Katoomba, the heart of the Blue Mountains, offers a range of great lunch spots and is only ten minutes along the Great Western Highway. It also offers an abundance of post-lunch walks. If you’ve done enough walking, head to the Scenic Skyway at Scenic World – because there’s no better way to end a relaxing weekend than by floating through the sky 270 metres above the earth.
Wentworth Falls Camping Trip Distance from Parramatta: 83 km Travel time: 1 hr 15 min Things to do: Bushwalking, mountain biking, bird watching, swimming Fees: Nil Pets: Not allowed Camping: Tents. Sites not suitable for large camper trailers or caravans. Mobile phone coverage: No Facilities: Picnic tables, pit toilets, swimming holes, wood fire pits (BYO firewood) Campsite bookings: Not available Activity information: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)
A typical campsite at Ingar Campground.
What to bring: Drinking water (alternatively treat/boil water from dam), insect repellent, clothes for all weather, firewood, Li-lo, walking shoes, hat, camera
GO CA MPING AUSTR A LI A
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