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As Covid-19 restrictions are lessening, it’s time to hit NSW roads in a campervan. However, it is important to take note of NSW travel guidelines, do’s, and don’ts before you hit the open road for your much-awaited campervan road trip.
Travel Restrictions
Restrictions have eased in New South Wales, making it possible for you to travel with caution. It feels terrific to get back on the road, even with the changes. Yes, you need to be more cautious, plan, and make bookings for campgrounds, but at least you can get out there and enjoy the open road.
The following must be adhered to for camping in NSW campgrounds, including national parks.
• It is mandatory to make an advance booking for all campgrounds and campsites in national parks.
• Any locations, previously available without bookings, now require reservations.
• The change protects visitors and prevents the spread of Covid-19.
• Travellers from interstate can visit NSW for a holiday (this reopened June 1, 2020).
• Travellers from interstate need to adhere to the rules of the home state when they return.
• Travellers must practice social distancing.
• Good hygiene is necessary.
• Public gathering rules limit capacity to 10 people.
• Screening for any illness, including fever and other Covid-19 symptoms, is requested but not demanded.
Anyone who is showing symptoms should self-quarantine and cancel any holiday plans. There is still a request for people to take extra care about vulnerable people, to get tested if symptoms appear (even if mild), and to follow NSW health advice. Restrictions information is ever-changing, and you can check the FAQs to make sure you are updated on all the changes.
Benefits of Travelling in a Campervan
The best part about renting a campervan is it helps to maintain the social distancing rules while on the road and in campgrounds. Unlike hotels and motels, where you are staying close to other travellers, camping ensures you have your space. Hotels and motels are also restricted in the capacity they can serve, whereas campgrounds offer more distancing between motorhomes.
Campervans are self-contained, allowing you to cook your own meals and using camper facilities instead of public areas.
Camping Destinations
New South Wales offers more than a hundred National Parks and other camping destinations. Covid-19 may affect which parks and campgrounds are open, as well as whether you need to make a booking before your arrival. To help you plan for your next rental campervan holiday, here are some suggestions.
South Coastal Camping:
• Eden
North Coastal Camping:
• Tweed Heads
• Newcastle
• Port Stephens
• Coffs Harbour
Family Camping Destinations Around NSW
Families, whether you have toddlers or teens, can also enjoy campervan rentals near the beaches, rivers, or National Parks. Many of the family-friendly parks offer playgrounds, pools, and game rooms. However, you will need to check on which parks are open and what amenities they offer during the Covid-19 restrictions.
• Racecourse Beach Tourist Park
• Big4 South Durras Holiday Park
Country NSW
In Country NSW, consider visiting Dubbo and staying at Discovery Parks Dubbo. They offer a variety of campsites for motorhomes, tents, and villas. When the Taronga Western Plains Zoo is open again, it will be the perfect place to camp.
Top 10 National Park Camping Destinations
If you prefer staying in National Parks, here are the top ten parks in NSW with plenty of different activities to offer.
1. Lane Cove
2. Blue Mountains
3. Sydney Harbour
4. Ku-ring-gai Chase
5. Royal
6. Myall Lakes
7. Kosciuszko
8. Dorrigo
9. Yuraygir
10. Boudii
Any one of these National Parks offers beaches, water features, and solace. Whether you want to spot whales or hike to a waterfall, the top ten NSW national parks offer plenty of activities. Enjoying the rainforest or horseback riding around the Snowy Mountains is possible when the national parks are open and accepting reservations.
Top Caravan National Park Camping Destinations
The following are National Parks offering caravan camping, by region.
North Coast
• Trial Bay Gaol –Arakoon National Park, includes free park entry, camper sites, swimming, and fishing. Trial
Bay Gaol is also a historical site, with admission to see the old jail, including a view from the sentry’s lookout.
• Diamond Head Campground – Crowdy Bay National Park—there is an entry fee into the park.
• Woody Head Campground – Bundjalung National Park – park entry fees apply.
• Crowdy Gap Campground – Crowdy Bay National Park – entry fees do apply.
South Coast
• Depot Beach Campground – Murramarang National Park—free park entry, with swimming, snorkelling, and fishing amenities.
• Murramarang National Park Beach Campground – camper sites available, free park entry.
While enjoying the South Coast, consider visiting the Killer Whale Museum, Ben Boyd National Park, Coolangatta Estate, and Mogo Zoo.
Sydney and Surrounding Areas
• Lane Cove Holiday Park –Lane Cove National Park – motorhome and tent camping allowed. Park fees apply.
Country NSW
• Bungoinia Campground – Bungonia National Park – there are park entry fees, plus bushwalking, caving, and hiking.
• Village Campground – Hill End Historic Sites – a caravan camping destination with free park entry.
• Gambells Rest Campground – Morton National Park – a small campground for motorhomes and tents, they offer ten locations, and park entry fees apply. There are cycling trails too.
Bugonia is a great place to enjoy the Greater Blue Mountains Drive, see magnificent views from Adams Lookout or picnic at De Kerrilleau. Nearby is Morton National Park and the Bees Nest Nature Preserve.
For those who might want bush campsites consider the following:
• Royal National Park
• Uloola Falls Campground
• Heathcote National Park
• Lake Eckersley campground
• Marramarra National Park
Many of the above locations offer waterside views, with plenty of amenities and hiking. Outback NSW also offers Broken Hill Tourist Park, Living Desert Reserve, and Mutawintji Park.
As the restrictions are constantly being updated, we will try our very best to keep you updated on travel and how you can enjoy the open road.
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40 comments
this sounds absolutely wonderful, and completely a new experience.. 🙂
while we are tempted, we are also hesitant.. but the destinations you have mentioned and pictured have been added to my bucket list 🙂
This sounds like an AMAZING way to travel and remain safe with social distancing! Even with all the new restrictions, it’s so nice to have that opportunity to be out and about and not confined to one place. Thanks for sharing!
Definitely on my bucket list. Your suggestions for keeping yourself and your family safe are helpful. Getting out and spending time in nature is important, even in these unprecedented times. Thanks for the beautiful photos.
This looks like an absolute dream! I am adding it to my list, and dreaming!
We were scheduled for our 1st camping trip with my daughter before COVID19 outbreak and now all is on hold. This is going to help for when we reschedule it.
Loved the pics, thanks for sharing
This sounds like a great way to travel during pandemic times. I would love to rent an RV and go on a road trip.
That is such an awesome way to travel during the pandemic times. Lovely pictures of nature.
This looks like a dream! We have been camping every other week since quarantine and have found it to be VITAL in order to stay sane with three crazy boys. It’s 115 degrees here so we can drive 2 hours and be in 80 degree weather! I wish we could camp over there where you are!!!
These camper vans are so cool! I would love to try these out someday
That looks like an amazing place to visit. Beautiful nature.
My husband and I were chatting about this because we use to live in an RV.
I haven’t tried Campervanning though I’ve been tempted to hire one and just go! Seems like an adventurous thing to do.
This is so adventurous, if only I could experience it myself . 🙂
I feel like I need this in my life right now! This looks like the perfect getaway.
We are thinking of hiring a campervan for a week and hopefully explore NSW. We’ve been to the Blue Mountains and it was a great experience. I am glad that NSW and Victoria didn’t close their borders and we got to explore both states.
Camping is great for social distancing and is definitely one of the safest ways to travel at the moment. We still use a tent, but we’re hoping to upgrade in 3-5 years.
These places are absolutely stunning! I hope to visit soon one day.
Camping is indeed a good way to keep some distance between your family and others 🙂
Given a chance I would love to go on campervanning during quarantine. I would love to experience it and bet it is a fun experience.
I am not yet ready to travel but these places look beautiful…
These are some great places to camp. This time of pandemic, it seems impossible to stay safe when traveling. Maybe after this pandemic and have a vaccine for this virus.
Very Informative and useful article, thanks for sharing ❤️📷
Omg it’s is beautiful there! We aren’t ready to venture out yet. But will and hope to visit and do all these things!
I’ve never been in a camper but it sounds like it’s perfect during this kind of situation
This sounds like a great idea, you get to see the world but you also don’t have to worry as you have your own personal space you can look after. Maybe this way of travelling will become common now?
Very insightful! I think camping is the first form of travel most people will be turning to including myself!
I’ve actually never tried campervanning but would definitely want to do this for road trip. I think it’s important that we stay cautious and practice social distancing. Thank you for the tips!
You’ve just made me fall in love with campervans, I’ll really love to be able to go camping in one, lovely post.
My husband wants to buy a camper and do this but we have two dogs and I’m like they’re wild, they will not approve of this LOL!! It does seem super fun though!
Oh how funny…imagine how they’d love all the exploring of new places, lol!
I think camper vans are so cool and with the uncertainty around everything it’s definitely better to have your space but still get out
Absolutely!!!
I have never travelled in a campervan but I’d love to one day. This post is very useful to those who do travel in a campervan as it is important to know the new regulations.
I love your post. Now I want to buy a camper and travel everywhere 🥰
Thank you for your kind words! I would also love to just keep travelling…absolute bliss…;)
This is a DREAM of mine! I want to show my kids the world. And let them play with a kangaroo on a beach!
Those are some beautiful places to go camping! We’re hesitant to travel until a vaccine becomes available though.
It’s amazing what beautiful places you can find right on your doorstep!
I have such fond memories of camper traveling with my grandparents as a kid! This great post brought those all back!
Yeah we did a lot of camping and going away with the Caravan…was loads of fun as a kid too…;)