Cheap or free site near water around Sydney

briche · Guru

Cheap or free site near water around Sydney

jandas fun · Guru

Hi Janette, have alook at Carcoar dam about 50k out of Bathurst. 20k south of Macquarie Woods.
Loki (anton) put up some photo's a week or two ago. I think in the solo section.
Supposed to be dog friendly. I have attached a link to a fairly recent report.
This free camp can get busy on weekends and holidays.

Johnw

http://www.traveldogsaustralia.com/free-camping-at-carcoar-dam-nsw.html

-- Edited by jandas fun on Thursday 1st of November 2012 08:19:04 PM

jetj · Guru

Thanks John and Darrell,

Both worth considering, Carcoar Dam looks great from the pictures. I love that site John.

Thanks again.

-- Edited by jetj on Thursday 1st of November 2012 10:35:37 PM

jetj · Guru

I'm looking for somewhere near some water within about 200klms of Sydney. Looking at the Caravan Parks they all want around $35 a night. Anyone know of anywhere not so expensive or free?

ozi2 · Guru

jetj wrote:
I'm looking for somewhere near some water within about 200klms of Sydney. Looking at the Caravan Parks they all want around $35 a night. Anyone know of anywhere not so expensive or free?

Hi jetj, we have stayed at Macquarie Fields, about half way Orange/Bathhurst, approx 250ks from Sydney.

It is a freecamp, well kept and quite a lovely, peaceful location if you dont mind the extra distance. Use the search function to read forum members posts.

cheers,

ozi2

biggles · Senior Member

ozi2 wrote:
jetj wrote:
I'm looking for somewhere near some water within about 200klms of Sydney. Looking at the Caravan Parks they all want around $35 a night. Anyone know of anywhere not so expensive or free?
Hi jetj, we have stayed at Macquarie Fields, about half way Orange/Bathhurst, approx 250ks from Sydney.
ozi2

H folks ..

I think ozi2 meant to say " MACQUARIE WOODS" ..

jon

Janno · Veteran Member

I have been told that cheap camping is available at St Ives showground on the North Shore - approx 10km from city. It would be a great place to stay if the information I was given is correct.

jetj · Guru

Sorry I haven't explained too well, I want to get away from Sydney withing a radius of about 200klms, near water to swim in like a lake or river.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer. Macquarie Woods would be good but too hot for my animals I think.

Scotty01 · Senior Member

Just had a look at Council web site : camping nolonger allowed at St Ives showground. Pity it would have done me just fine.

oldboar · Senior Member

Mudgee end of Burrendong dam, Jannette. Pretty sure it's $9 p/p/night. Good amenities, hot showers, laundry, kiosk. During the week particularly heaps of roos feeding on the foreshores, not as many on weekends. Dog friendly (on leash). Really good spot, although I'm biassed as we have had a cabin there for the last two years.

Darrell

oldboar · Senior Member

View from our cabin Jannette (if the pic works, lol)

Darrell

jetj · Guru

Thanks Darrell, I have seen that Dam on the way to Dubbo, it looks great. I googled it and it seems the camping is towards Wellington or is there another area closer to Mudgee?

jimricho · Guru

Although not near water, perhaps check out Watagan Mountains, a short distance behind Lake Macquarie. Check the National Parks and State Forestry websites and/or Google "camping Watagans".

Kauki · Member

I was going to suggest the Lake Macquarie area too, was travelling through Morrisset and Dora Creek by train yesterday and
there are bound to be some reasonably priced pet friendly campsites around.

jetj · Guru

Can anyone confirm that Carcoar Dam has wifi internet either Telstra or Optus available and shade of trees, etc. Also dogs are allowed I hope.

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Don't know of any free or reasonable priced campsites on Lake Macquarie, there where some but they all seem to have disappeared, over the last 12 years.
There are some excellent free campsites in the Watagans these are the State forests behind Lake Macquarie but only small streams run thru these mountains.
Mungo Brush on Myall Lakes is a lovely place to camp, but a National Park so no dogs, these campsites are on the Lake and also you can walk thru the dunes to the surf beach.
Cheers
David

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Hi Janette
You might find this web site of interest it gives a list of many campsites in NSW some free some not free,
http://www.wildwalks.com/office/office/camping.html
Cheers
David

jetj · Guru

Thanks David,

I have a dog and bird so National Parks are out. Nice site though.

Can anyone confirm internet connectivity at Carcoar Dam with either Optus or Telstra?

jandas fun · Guru

Hi Janette,
there is telstra coverage that i know of.
Loki posted from there, so assume internet must be o.k
Could be windy as there is a wind farm there.

Johnw

jimricho · Guru

I have a feeling that finding a camp spot that meets all your requirements on the coast or adjacent waterways may be a big ask. Going a little further afield and/or researching the various inland dams may be your only option. Hopefully someone may be able to prove me wrong.

oldboar · Senior Member

Yeah, Janette, there are actually three camping areas on the Burrendong foreshores. Two at the Wellington end and the other (Cudgegong River Park) at the Mudgee end. No mobile or Internet access at ours which is one of the reasons I love it so much. As part of the senior executive of a national hunting organisation for the past six years it was heaven to be out of touch on occasions. Have now relinquished all that in readiness for becoming a nomad full time apart from part of each summer spent at the dam whilst keeping in touch with kids, their kids & other family members around this area. The rest of the year will be spent following the sun with no timetable but visiting other immediate family scattered all over Oz (Bendigo, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Townsville etc plus others in between lol.)

Darrell

jetj · Guru

Thank Darrell, It sounds good but I run an online health forum so I can't go where there is no coverage. Besides I have an addiction to the computer. lol

Thanks John I looked at the coverage maps and it looks like there is, but wanted to be sure.

Jim, I am looking inland, there is a good park on Lake Macquarie, not too expensive, I considered, but time I had a look inland a little, isn't it Darrell. lol

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Hi Janette

Which park were you looking at on Lake Macquarie? I live on this lake and most of the parks that I know of are expensive, but it is a beautiful lake and only just a tad short of paradise, then again I'm just a bit biased, why would you want to stay anywhere else smile ?????

Cheers

David

cannylass · Senior Member

jetj wrote:
Sorry I haven't explained too well, I want to get away from Sydney withing a radius of about 200klms, near water to swim in like a lake or river.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer. Macquarie Woods would be good but too hot for my animals I think.

You should try St George basin a great spot for fishing white sand swiming close to the water is the Alhoa Caravan park mind not sure of the fees but check out the Shoalhaven Nowra to in near the river

jetj · Guru

cannylass wrote:
You should try St George basin a great spot for fishing white sand swiming close to the water is the Alhoa Caravan park mind not sure of the fees but check out the Shoalhaven Nowra to in near the river

Thanks Cannylass,

I did and most CPs are around the $35 a night. That Park looks lovely but doesn't include it's rates on it's website, most annoying.

oldboar · Senior Member

You are right that you should really check out the real Australia (sunburnt country, sweeping plains) but I'm a bit concerned you may go into withdrawal, lol. Berry showground sounds reasonable Janette, even if it doesn't pry you away from the eastern side of the hills. We intend staying there for a few days after we pick up the van from Nowra so that I'm handy for any obvious warranty repairs .

Darrell

jetj · Guru

Darrell,

Berry is a beautiful spot, I haven't been to the showground, but I intend to do the South Coast when I have a bit more time and it isn't as dry as it is currently. The showground is $20 for a powered site which is pretty reasonable.

I hope you're very happy with your van.