11 Blue Mountains camping spots for a nature-packed trip

By Lara Picone
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With vast national parks pocketed with idyllic spots to pitch a tent, camping is one of the best ways to experience the Blue Mountains.

Whether you relish the rustic experience of rolling your swag out under the stars or prefer to participate in a more luxe iteration of camping, there’s a Blue Mountains campground to meet your expectations.

No matter how far along the camping scale you wish to venture, a bush-fringed stay in the mountains provides a wonderfully restorative escape. From Katoomba to Kedumba, these are the top spots to pitch your tent.

1. Euroka Campground

Closest town: Glenbrook

Price: $

Amenities: This well-equipped campground boasts picnic tables, barbeque facilities and toilets, but you’ll need to bring your own drinking water, cooking water and firewood.

Perks: If you’re after a nature-packed Blue Mountains camping experience, you’ve found it. Just south of Glenbrook, Euroka Campground is not only popular with campers but also kangaroos – expect numerous sightings during your stay. It’s also close to the banks of the Nepean River, tempting fishing fanatics to throw a line out, as well as nearby nature trails.

the Euroka Campground in Blue Mountains National Park

Set up camp at Euroka Campground. (Image: Stephen Alton/DPE)

2. Old Ford Reserve

Closest town: Katoomba

Price: Free

Amenities: Old Ford is accessible by 2WD. There are toilets at the reserve and space for campervans and trailers, but the ground does not cater to those with limited accessibility. You’ll need to bring your own water to drink and cook with, too.

Perks: Considered one of the most popular spots for lovers of the great outdoors, Old Ford Reserve is a free campground on the bank of Megalong Creek. It’s close to Katoomba, which makes it a perfect base for first-timers and camping novices. Just south of the campground is the Six Foot Walking Track, one of the best Blue Mountains hikes. Old Ford is pet-friendly, too, just enquire first.

3. Murphy’s Glen Campground

Closest town: Woodford

Price: Booking fee of $6

Amenities: With just five campsites, this secluded spot is a pocket of bush-fringed serenity. There are pit toilets and barbeque facilities, but no water, so bring enough for drinking, cooking and cleaning. The road to the campsite is unsealed and while the grounds can be accessed by 2WD, if there’s been a bit of rain, call ahead to check conditions.

Perks: You’ll set up camp under the rustle of tall blue gums and turpentines. Watch native wildlife emerge come dusk and listen out for possums, sugar gliders and bats as you gather around the campfire. The remote campground is all about peace and quiet, with plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, wild swimming and birdwatching nearby.

wildflowers along the trail from Wentworth Falls to Murphy's Glen

See diverse flora and fauna from Wentworth Falls to Murphy’s Glen. (Image: Stephen Alton/DPE)

3. Lake Lyell Recreation Area

Closest town: Lithgow

Price: $$

Amenities: At Lake Lyell Recreation Area, choose from powered and unpowered camping sites suitable for vans, tents, camping trailers, caravans and motorhomes. There’s even a ski lodge cabin that sleeps up to eight people for $180 per night – but do note, the luxuries don’t doesn’t to running water.

Perks: Everything you need for a well-rounded stay is catered for. There’s a kiosk, hot showers, accessible toilets, a covered barbeque area, kayak hire, picnic areas, a boat ramp, playground and designated area to swim. The man-made lake was built in 1982 for nearby powerplants and later repurposed into a recreation park. Spend your days fishing, swimming, jet-skiing, kayaking or enjoying a picnic on the banks.

a scenic view of Lake Lyell

Camp by the serene Lake Lyell. (Image: David Hill; Deep Hill Media)

4. Turon Gates

Closest town: Lithgow

Price: $$–$$$

Amenities: Turon Gates provides the best of both worlds for those who love a rustic adventure. Book a campsite and you’ll have access to hot showers, running water and toilets. Glampers, on the other hand, can enjoy luxe safari tents or log cabins, with everything from stylish living areas to cosy fireplaces, self-contained kitchens and outdoor barbeques.

Perks: Set amid 2400 hectares of bushland, Turon Gates is positioned beside a tranquil, trout-filled stream with spectacular mountain vistas. Camping sites are unallocated, so travellers can choose their own. Glampers can unwind in a deep bathtub to the sounds of the bush beyond. Whether you camp or glamp, there’s loads to do, from bushwalks and swimming to fishing and kayaking.

nature views surrounding Turon Gates

Go off-grid at Turon Gates. (Image: GMPhotographics)

5. Acacia Flat Campground

Closest town: Blackheath

Price: Booking fee of $6

Amenities: There are 30 unmarked camping spots on offer at this campsite tucked into the Grose Valley. It’s a barebones stay with allocation only for tents and swag-sleeping. While there are toilets, you’ll need to bring everything else, including drinking water, food and necessary supplies.

Perks: Acacia Flat Campground is not for first-timers. It’s one of the most secluded camping spots in the Blue Mountains and can only be reached via a challenging hike carrying all your gear. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with unparalleled serenity, panoramic views, wildlife encounters and plenty of space to pitch a tent.

tents set up on Acacia Flat Campground

Acacia Flat Campground is one of the most secluded camping spots in the Blue Mountains. (Image: Craig Marshall/DPE)

6. Yerranderie Private Town

Closest town: Oberon

Price: $

Amenities: You’ll find a bit more than just the basics in this former silver mining town, with an amenities block for showers and toilets, barbecue facilities and drinking water. But you will need to bring your own firewood and there’s no power to the sites. The 10-site campground is only accessible by 4WD on unsealed roads and is relatively remote.

Perks: This ghost town has long been abandoned, imbuing its historic sandstone buildings with a bygone charm and maybe just a hint of spookiness come nightfall. For lovers of history, it’s considered one of the best things to do when visiting the Blue Mountains.

the accommodation exterior at Yerranderie Private Town

The historic ghost town has a unique charm on its own. (Image: John Spencer/DPE)

7. Katoomba Falls Tourist Park

Closest town: Katoomba

Price: $$

Amenities: Settle into a campsite or cabin at Katoomba Tourist Park and enjoy a checklist of amenities, such as a renovated shower and toilet block with accessible bathroom, coin-operated laundry, barbecues, camp kitchen, playground and free wi-fi. Unfortunately, four-legged friends will have to stay home.

Perks: You’re set amid the centre of action here with the area’s big attractions easily accessed by foot. Katoomba Falls is just a two-minute walk away, the town centre is an easy 15 minutes, the Scenic Railway is five minutes and Echo Point, where you can take in a shimmering Blue Mountains sunset, is only 20 minutes.

the accommodation at Katoomba Tourist Park

Settle into a cabin at Katoomba Tourist Park.

8. Kedumba River Crossing Campground

Closest town: Wentworth Falls

Price: Booking fee of $6

Amenities: This remote campground in the Kedumba Valley can only be accessed by foot. There are toilets, barbecue facilities and picnic tables, as well as fire rings, but you’ll need to collect wood from the surrounding bush. You can use the water from the Kedumba River, but it will need to be treated before drinking, otherwise, you’ll need to carry your own fresh water in. There are no bins provided, which means you need to take your rubbish with you.

Perks: The challenging nine-kilometre walk down Kedumba Pass ensures that you’ll likely find yourself alone here with just the wildlife, which will no doubt lead to a supremely peaceful night’s sleep. Pitch your tent or roll out your swag wherever you like and absorb the stunning views of Mount Solitary, the Katoomba Escarpment and Kings Tableland.

a tent at Kedumba River Crossing campground, Blue Mountains National Park

Take in breathtaking nature views in Kedumba Valley. (Image: Simone Cottrell/DPE)

9. Coorongooba Campground

Closest town: Lithgow

Price: Booking fee of $6

Amenities: You’ll find non-flushing toilets, barbecue facilities and picnic tables at Coorongooba Campground, but what it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in breathtaking beauty. You’ll need to bring your own drinking water and firewood with you and take your rubbish out when you leave.

Perks: Set on the Capertee River in Wollemi National Park, this picturesque spot is accessible by 2WD in good weather, but you’ll need a 4WD if it’s wet. Spend the day hiking along the river or splashing in shallow pools and keeping an eye out for the endangered honeyeater. Springtime is the best time to visit when the weather is warm and the bush is fragrant with blooms.

caravans parked on Coorongooba Campground

You’ll likely need a 4WD to reach Coorongooba Campground. (Image: Adam Bryce/DPE)

10. Bubbletent Australia

Closest town: Lithgow

Price: $$$

Amenities: This glamping experience is all about sleeping in style under the constellations. Your see-through, bubble-shaped dome allows you to gaze starwards in a comfortable bed as the evening closes in, with everything you need at your fingertips. Not to mention the slippers, wireless speaker, iPad and telescope. But you will need to bring in your own food and drink (including water).

Perks: This Capertee Valley property with its panoramic views of the landscape is perfectly positioned for a sense of vast space and communion with the cosmos. While there are three tents, you won’t know it, as each is entirely secluded from the others.

the Leo Bubbletent with views overlooking the Capertee Valley

Stay in the Leo Bubbletent overlooking the Capertee Valley. (Image: Mayumi Iwasaki)

11. Blackheath Tourist Park

Closest town: Blackheath

Price: $$

Amenities: With sites for caravans, campers and tents, as well as cabins for those seeking creature comforts, this full-amenity campground makes for a smooth holiday. Expect an amenities block with showers, toilets and an accessible bathroom; a children’s bathroom; playground; camp kitchen; and laundry. There’s also wi-fi available, should you need to connect.

Perks: Blackheath Tourist Park is just a short walk from the charming town, where you can dine at one of the lovely local restaurants. Pop into one of its many eateries and attractions, or take a dip in the melodic waters of Pope’s Glen. During your stay, be sure to explore Govetts Leap Lookout for insane mountain views.

cabins at Blackheath Tourist Park

There are plenty of amenities to access at Blackheath Tourist Park.

Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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A Japanese-inspired bathhouse just opened in the Blue Mountains

    By Carla Grossetti
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    Memories of a childhood in Japan were the inspiration behind Aqua Ignis, a new Blue Mountains bathhouse.

    A new revolutionary bathhouse in the Blue Mountains is redefining wellness by drawing on ancient bathing traditions from around the world. Aqua Ignis co-founder Taku Hjelgaard says it was the experience of visiting an onsen near his grandparents’ home in Osaka that first inspired this contemporary take on a bathhouse.

    “I remember riding on a bike around the narrow winding streets of Osaka, immersing myself in these giant baths and then lying on my back in the tatami room feeling relaxed and rejuvenated,” says Taku, who was born in Japan, but raised in the UK and Australia.

    “I would ride home with the wind in my hair at night through these beautiful Japanese streets. These memories are etched in my mind and ultimately inspired the creation of Aqua Ignis,” says Taku.

    the front of Aqua Ignis bathhouse, Blue Mountains

    Aqua Ignis is the newest bathhouse to open in the Blue Mountains.

    The name Aqua Ignis draws from the Latin: Aqua (water), which represents the bath and steam room elements; and Ignis (fire), which represents the sauna. Taku says the two words capture the core experience of visiting the Blackheath bathhouse.

    “It’s that interplay between hot and cold, water and heat. One of the things I really love about Japanese bathhouses is that it’s therapy for both the mind and the body. It’s engaging in a hot and cold treatment, soaking up the magnesium, and then having a really restorative rest in our beautiful spaces,” says Taku, who also works part-time as a counsellor.

    Taku’s brother-in-law, Korean-German architect Siki Im was behind the transformation of the old Art Deco property that houses Aqua Ignis. Taku’s business partner, carpenter Lee Nias, was also involved in the transformation of the heritage structure. The building was reimagined as a ‘room within a room’ concept that allows for fluid transitions between spaces.

    inside Aqua Ignis bathhouse, Blue Mountains

    Not only does the bathhouse feature onsen-like baths, but it also has steam rooms and saunas.

    Taku says Aqua Ignis also nods to Turkish hammams with its herbal-infused steam rooms.

    “My business partner Lee’s heritage is a real mix. He’s part Chinese, part Indian, part Irish, part English. Our architect is Korean but lives in Germany. And my heritage is Japanese so it makes sense that we blend a lot of different global traditions together,” he says.

    Both Lee and Taku grew up in the Blue Mountains and say Aqua Ignis is a way of giving back to the community. Taku says the ultimate goal is for visitors to experience a uniquely Australian form of wellness. “It’s wellness that respects diverse cultural practices while creating something entirely new,” Taku says.

    “We are eternally grateful to the Blue Mountains, the people, the landscape, the trees, the water that has shaped us. Our way of giving back to community is by creating this bathhouse, which reflects the country’s rich, complex cultural landscape,” he says.

    Taku says he and Lee have been consulting with a local Gundungurra woman to incorporate Indigenous Australian elements through a eucalyptus cleansing ceremony.

    the sauna at Aqua Ignis bathhouse, Blue Mountains

    The hot rock sauna is a nod to the European tradition.

    Aqua Ignis has a hot rock sauna, herbal steam room, magnesium mineral bath, cold plunge and rest areas. Together, Taku says the treatments provide visitors with a space to reset.

    You can find Aqua Ignis at 239 Great Western Highway, Blackheath, NSW

    Stretch your legs on one of these hikes in the Blue Mountains. Next, enjoy a restorative session at Aqua Ignis, followed by a stay at one of these cosy Blue Mountains cabins?