Jaw-dropping beauty just 1.5 hours south of Sydney – Coledale Camping Reserve will make you long for an extra slice of the weekend.

Highlights

  • Epic, relaxed camping on the beach
  • Waves and mountains
  • Unreal photography opportunities

The Lowdown

Sandwiched between the uncrowded, rolling surf of the Pacific and the towering green cliff escarpment, sits the ideal ‘home is where you park it’ haven – Coledale Camping Reserve.

The small sea-side village is an hour south of Sydney and is a part of the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive. Coledale Camping Reserve is accessed from Lawrence Hargrave Drive which happens to include the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge.

If snaking our way across the bridge and over the ocean did not leave us in awe with our jaws dropped, popping up over the next hill that overlooked the ideally positioned campground certainly did.

 

An ‘On The Cheap’ Winter Week Off Work, Mike Pidgeon, Sea Cliff Bridge Bowral, ocean, grey sky

Empty Paradise at Coledale Camping Reserve

Observing the area, we did not see any of the normal sights, sun blistered tourists, ranting hawkers or hundreds of beach umbrellas in symmetrical rows. Instead, there was lush green grass that made a perfect dining/kitchen area with the soft golden sand and iceberg-blue water in a dreamy backyard.

The crashing of the waves was hypnotic and the sea mist clinging to the cliff faces created a calming atmosphere. This is exactly where we wanted to call ‘home’ for a night after an exhilarating day exploring the Blue Mountains.

With amazing beaches surrounded by apocalyptic rocks in front of a cliffside backdrop and rock pools scattered in between, this is a paradise for landscape lovers, campers, and ocean groovers.

 

Swim In One Of These Illawarra Ocean Pools This Summer, Amy Fairall, Coledale, pool, ocean, rocks, swim

Essential Gear

  • Camping gear
  • Surfboards
  • Something to pick your jaw up off the ground

How To Get There

Following the Princes Highway, Coledale is 1.5 hours south of Sydney.

Difficulty

Beginner. Just enjoy the seaside paradise.

 

Feature photo by @amy.eloise