Looking for an easy Sydney getaway? We’ve got you covered with these top caravan parks, in and near the city.

 

We Are Explorers acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

 

If convenience and comfort are high on your list for an adventurous holiday – we reckon caravan parks are the way to go. These caravan parks in Sydney (and near Sydney!) give you plenty of options for adventures in nature – including surfing, swimming, snorkelling, hiking, and fishing.

Better still, setting yourself up at holiday parks means you can enjoy ocean-side campsites, dips in the swimming pool, a kids club for the little ones, and cooking wood fired pizzas in the camp kitchen!

The best caravan parks often also have walking tracks and plenty of attractions within walking distance so you can mix up your scenery as often as you like!

 

 

Hoppers aren’t guaranteed but they sure are a nice bonus! | Shot by Reflections Holiday Parks

Where are the best caravan parks near Sydney?

Within two hours’ drive of Sydney’s city centre, you can find some excellent caravan parks. All of the parks on our list have the basics you’ll need for a great holiday – plus some excellent facilities that’ll make your holiday a memorable one. We’re talkin’ swimming pools, E-bikes, playgrounds, water parks, and more.

As for the giant inflatable flamingo – those ever-popular bad boys are BYO.

Discover Sydney’s North Coast, South Coast, and Blue Mountains region, as well as some lesser-known – but just as spectacular – national parks and hidden spots off the beaten path.

The best caravan parks are all an easy drive from Sydney and are a super convenient base camp whether you’re plonked on camping sites or livin’ it up in your hotted up camper trailer.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

 

This 24km Fingal Heads to Pottsville Walk Traverses NSW’s Most Northern Beaches, photo by Tweed Holiday Parks, Hastings caravan park, aerial shot, beach, ocean

Sometimes the best caravan park is the one closest to your next hike. Tweed Holiday Parks is the perfect base for the 24km Fingal Heads to Pottsville Walk | Shot via Tweed Holiday Parks

Caravan Parks in Sydney

1. Lane Cove Caravan Park

Location: 13 Plassey Road, Macquarie Park, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 20 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, safari tents, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Camp kitchen, playground, pool
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $8 per vehicle

Despite being close to Sydney’s centre, Lane Cove Caravan Park is set amongst 1,000 acres of bushland. Tucked in amongst the trees and walking trails of the Lane Cove National Park, you can (almost) forget you are in the city.

The park caters to families with a pool and playground to keep the kids busy. If you don’t have your own camping set-up you can book your crew into a cabin, or a safari tent for a couple.

Bring your fishing rod to throw a line in the river, paddle your kayak, or ride and walk the bushland trails. Having said that, if it’s city-exploration that you’re after, you’re only a short drive or public transport ride from the major attractions.

Best of both worlds? We think so.

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Kayakers on Lane Cove River in Lane Cove National Park | Photo thanks to DNSW

2. Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park

Location: 38 Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 40 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Waterpark, camp kitchen, pedal-kart hire, playground, kids club
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $110 per vehicle (powered site, no ensuite)

Wedged between the calm waters of Narrabeen Lake and the North Narrabeen Surf Beach, the Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park is where you can set up camp for plenty of water time. If you want to surf, swim, fish, go boating, or all of the above – hey, why not? – this holiday park is the place to do it.

Explore rock pools at the beach and seek out Deep Creek – one of the best SUP spots near Sydney.

Or – if a lazy getaway is more your style – kick back and relax at the park while the swimming pool, waterpark, pedal-kart hire, and kids club keeps the family entertained.

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5 Best Places to Stand Up Paddle Board Around Sydney (Out of The Ocean), photo by She SUPs, Narrabeen Lake, friends

SUPing on Narrabeen Lake | Photo by She SUPs

3. Ingenia Holidays Sydney Hills

Location: 269 New Line Road, Dural, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 35 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Tennis court, pool, playground, camp kitchen
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $100 (powered site, no ensuite)

If you’re road trippin’ the NSW coast and want a stop in Sydney, the Ingenia Holidays Sydney Hills park is a great option. It’s away from the bustle of Sydney’s city centre – but you’re still close to plenty of the region’s best natural attractions.

An onsite tennis court and pool means you can stay active without even leaving the park. But we reckon it makes a great base from which to explore.

Discover the Northern Beaches to the south-east or the Blue Mountains to the west. Or check out some adventure spots in the Berowra Valley and Ku Ring Gai Chase National Parks like the Lyrebird Gully Circuit or Towlers Bay Trail.

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4. Wareamah / Cockatoo Island Waterfront Camping

Location: Wareamah / Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 30 minute ferry ride
Accommodation: Campsites, tents
Facilities: BBQs, camp kitchen
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: starts at $50 for BYO tent, right through to premium packages from $300 

Although this isn’t a caravan park, we’ve included the Cockatoo Island Waterfront campground. It’s a place where you can set up your tent with views of Sydney Harbour!

Leave the car and caravan at home and take a ferry across the harbour to start your camping adventure. Disembark at Wareamah / Cockatoo Island and head to the campground to secure your own little piece of harbour real estate – for the night at least.

You can explore the island with its harbour views, UNESCO World Heritage listed Convict Site, and cute cafes. There are also tour options to explore the island, including a ghost tour that will (not) have you sleeping well at night!

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Cockatoo Island’s waterfront campground | Photo thanks to DNSW

Caravan Parks in the Blue Mountains

5. Katoomba Falls Tourist Park

Location: 101 Cliff Drive, Katoomba, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 90 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Camp kitchen, playground
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $50 for a powered site

Bushwalkers take note! We’ve found the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to step out of their caravan and onto some spectacular trails. The Katoomba Falls Tourist Park is the ideal place from which to explore the iconic Blue Mountains.

The park itself has all you need to have a comfortable stay, with natural attractions and plenty of awesome hikes in the surrounding world-heritage listed National Park.

Walking trails lead from the front of the holiday park to waterfalls and lookouts including Katoomba Falls and Echo Point with its incredible views to the Three Sisters rock formation.

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13 Most Scenic Blue Mountains Waterfalls – And Others Worth Exploring Along The Way!, Leah Furey, Blue Mountains, NSW, Photo Credit: Destination NSW, Katoomba Falls

Katoomba Falls | Photo thanks to DNSW

6. Ingenia Holidays Nepean River

Location: 91/95 Mackellar Street, Emu Plains, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 1 hour
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Playground, pool, camp kitchen, games room
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $75 for a powered site

In western Sydney at the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the Ingenia Holidays Nepean River caravan park is where you can enjoy adventure at your own pace.

This park has plenty to keep the kids occupied – playground, pool, and campground – and is a great base from which to venture out and explore the region.

Feel like taking it easy? Explore the Great Nepean River Walk, or climb aboard the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler to cruise along the river. Need things a little faster paced? Try rafting at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium or wakeboarding at the Cables Wake Park.

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Best Caravan Parks Sydney, Ingenia Holidays Nepean River

You can almost feel the breeze | Photo thanks to Ingenia Holidays Nepean River

Nearby Accommodation

Caravan Parks on the South Coast

7. Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park

Location: 1 John Street, Shellharbour, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 95 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Boat ramp, pizza oven, playground, camp kitchen
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $80 for a powered site

Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park is the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate, and even cook up a tasty wood-fire pizza in the camp kitchen. The holiday park is an idyllic getaway on the South Coast – within a few hours drive from Sydney.

A short stroll from your campsite is Shellharbour Village complete with the promise of fish and chips, ice cream, and strong summer holiday vibes. Plus the local beaches are the perfect place to swim, fish, surf, or relax.

Explore the nearby Bass Point Reserve and Aboriginal Indigenous Cultural Walk – and don’t miss snorkelling at the Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve.

 

Three Action-Packed NSW Road Trips for People Who Seize the Day, photo provided by DNSW, underwater, fish, Bushrangers Bay

Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve | Photo thanks to DNSW

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8. Corrimal Beach Tourist Park

Location: 2 Lake Parade, East Corrimal, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 75 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Camp kitchen, playground, bike hire
Pet friendly: Off-peak only
Average cost per night: $40 for a powered site

Head south for a seaside holiday at Corrimal Beach Tourist Park. Relax in the holiday park or head out on the nearby coastal walk to stretch your legs. You can even hire bikes at the park to venture a little further.

You won’t get bored with plenty to do nearby: take a dip in an Ocean Pool, Pub Crawl along the Grand Pacific Walk, or just stroll out of the caravan park and through the sand dunes onto the beach.

It’s a ten minute drive into Wollongong if you need an urban-hit – but we reckon the holiday vibes and sound of waves lulling you to sleep at night is all you’ll need for a great getaway.

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Caravan Parks on the Central Coast & Newcastle

9. Jimmys Beach Reflections Holiday Park

Location: Coorilla St, Hawks Nest, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 2 hours 45 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites, tiny homes, glamping tents
Facilities: Camp kitchen, playground, communal campfire, laundry, dog wash
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $50 for a powered site

Jimmys Beach has everything you’d want for a relaxed family holiday or couples getaway. The water is always quite calm – gotta love protective headlands! – so it’s ideal for paddleboarding, snorkelling, kayaking, and fishing. There are heaps of great spots for anglers on the sand, but you can also jump in a tinnie to take your chances further out. Hikers are also looked after here with the park being the perfect base for those keen to tackle the nearby Mount Yacaaba summit trail. 

Jimmys Beach Reflections Holiday Park has accommodation options for every kind of traveller so it’s well worth the extra time in the car to get there from Sydney. The glamping tents give you the best of cabin-life comfort while keeping the camping vibes alive with outdoor BBQs and front deck. Plus the whole park is dog-friendly, even in selected tiny homes. 

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11 Best Caravan Parks in Sydney, Jimmys Beach Reflections Caravan Park, Photo from Reflections website.

Hello luxury! | Photo thanks to Jimmys Beach Reflections Holiday Park

10. Patonga Caravan and Camping Area

Location: Bay Street, Patonga, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 90 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Tennis courts, boat ramp, playground
Pet friendly: No
Average cost per night: $65 for a powered site

The Patonga Caravan and Camping Area is located on the tranquil Brisk Bay and is the perfect spot to throw down a towel, throw in a line, or launch whatever kind of watercraft you own.  The tiny township of Patonga, surrounded by a national park, is a great place to escape the city.

The calm waters of the bay are great for swimming or paddling a kayak. It’s a perfect spot for kids. Plus you can venture on foot into Brisbane Water National Park on the Great North Walk to take in the coastal sights and visit Warrah Lookout.

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The 20 Best Beaches on the NSW Central Coast, Caitlin Robson, Photo Credit: @stephanridgway on Flickr. Patonga Beach

Don’t forget to check out Patonga Beach too! | Photo thanks to @stephanridgway via Flickr

11. Ocean Beach Holiday Resort

Location: 90 Sydney Avenue, Umina Beach, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 80 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, glamping, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Pool, waterpark, games room, playground, tennis court, e-bike hire, kids club, camp kitchen
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $115 for a powered site

Despite being located right next to the beach, Ocean Beach Holiday Park is the kinda holiday park you might never leave. The resort-like set up is the perfect place to kick back and relax. Make the most of the swimming pool, tennis courts, and e-bikes. There’s also a kids club to keep the little ones busy.

When you’re ready for a change of scenery, you can step out onto the sand at Umina Beach to take a dip or catch some waves. You could also explore the nearby Bouddi Coastal Walk or seek out the secluded Lobster Beach.

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The 20 Best Beaches on the NSW Central Coast, Caitlin Robson, Photo Credit: @hanuska on Flickr. Umina Beach, near Ocean Beach

Enjoy the sun at Umina Beach | Photo thanks to @hanuska via Flickr

12. Toowoon Bay Holiday Park

Location: 1 Koongara Street, Toowoon Bay, NSW
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 80 minutes
Accommodation: Cabins, caravan sites, campsites
Facilities: Pool, amphitheatre, playground, jumping pillow, camp kitchen
Pet friendly: Yes
Average cost per night: $50 for a powered site

Just south of The Entrance on NSW’s Central Coast, Toowoon Bay Holiday Park is the perfect place to set yourself up and enjoy the coastal beaches, Tuggerah Lake, and The Coast Track in nearby Wyrrabalong National Park.

Fill your days with surfing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, and fishing. If you’re bringing the whole family, the park facilities – including a resort-style pool – will keep the kids entertained. Plus your fur-family members can join you as well!

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The 20 Best Beaches on the NSW Central Coast, Caitlin Robson, Photo Credit: @philliecasablanca on Flickr. Toowoon Bay Beach

Sunset at Toowoon Bay Beach | Photo thanks to @philliecasablanca

 

There you have it – 12 caravan parks in and near Sydney that boast great facilities as well as the potential for some excellent outdoor adventures. What do you think? Have you stayed in any of these campgrounds? Got another one to recommend? Let us know in the comments!

FAQs About Caravan Parks in Sydney

Can you camp near Sydney Harbour?

There are a number of caravan parks in Sydney that are just a short drive or public transport ride away from Sydney Harbour. However, we’ve also included the Wareamah / Cockatoo Island Waterfront Campground on our list – where you can camp on an island in Sydney Harbour. A ferry ride is required to get there and you can book a tent or BYO.

Can you camp on the beach in Sydney?

It’s not permitted to camp on the beach in Sydney, but if you want to pitch your tent surf-side, there are plenty of caravan parks located right on the coastline. Whether you’re in Sydney, or on the nearby South and Central coasts – you can pitch a tent or set up your caravan just a short stroll from the sand. The best part? The sound of waves lulling you to sleep at night!

Can you camp for free in Sydney?

You’ll need to be at a designated free camping spot or rest area to set up your tent/caravan/camper and stay the night for free. These areas are usually away from the main cities and make a great stop over on road trips. Check out our list of the best free camping spots in NSW and add them to your itinerary.

Is the North Narrabeen Surf Beach the best place in North Narrabeen for a dip?

The surf beach in North Narrabeen can be rough and rips are common. Less confident swimmers should head for the rockpool at the southern end of the same beach. Or consider sussing out Narrabeen Lake for guaranteed calm waters.

We’ve shared these recommendations because we genuinely rate them and want you to enjoy them too. Our writers use a mix of personal experience and research to compile these lists, and they’re also encouraged to be honest when things aren’t up to scratch. For more information on our approach, check out our Editorial Standards.