Whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or looking for a budget-friendly place to park up, there’s are Bathurst’s best caravan parks.
If you’re seeking a cheap and cheerful way to experience Bathurst and need somewhere to rest your home on wheels, the town’s caravan parks offer a cosy and comfortable base from which to discover the city.
BIG4 – NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park
Where: Right in town
A good option for families, NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park boasts a camp kitchen, pool, games room and other family-friendly activities. The only caravan park in town with cabins on offer, options include powered sites, tents and numerous humble but clean cabins (including one that is pet-friendly).
It’s a little dated but has a certain 90s charm that invites a sense of nostalgia, especially when travelling with kids. The name is a little misleading, as it’s located in the centre of town, about a ten-minute drive from Mount Panorama. But you’ll be close to the town’s best restaurants and charming cafes, so you win some you lose some!
Bathurst Showground
Where: Right in town
The Bathurst Showground is a great place to set up camp if you’re looking for convenience and proximity to town. Located on the main road, you can park your caravan or set up a tent and take an easy walk to the CBD.
The showground welcomes your furry friends, the toilets and showers are basic but clean, the staff are friendly, and there are powered and unpowered sites. Be prepared for some traffic noise through the night – its a small price to pay to be so close to town.
There are plenty of powered and unpowered sites to choose from.
Jenolan Holiday Park, Oberon
Where: 30 to 40-minutes drive southeast of Bathurst
While Oberon is certainly not the most bustling of towns, it does offer the quaint Jenolan Holiday Park if you’re looking for something close to Bathurst but away from the hustle and bustle. Facilities include bathrooms, a camp kitchen, barbeques and laundry.
Accommodation options include powered or unpowered sites and a hodgepodge of modern and dated but cosy cabins nestled in the manicured grass under shady trees. Pets are welcome with campers and caravanners and the area attracts some lovely birdlife.
Camping in Sofala
Where: 40-minute drive from Bathurst
Around 40 minutes north of Bathurst, you’ll find the tiny town of Sofala, a small, historic village with a population of just 200. If you’re caravanning or camping around the area and looking for a humble spot to set up, there are a handful of free camping options for lovers of peace and quiet.
Soak up scenic views at Sofala. (Image: Destination NSW)
If you’re looking for more luxurious accommodation options with all the bells and whistles, Bathurst offers some gorgeous hotels and motels with everything you need for a warm and comfortable stay.
Jessica Humphries is a travel and wellbeing writer, with a passion for slow travel, nature, and exploring the world mindfully. Formerly the editor of Australian Yoga Journal and a current contributor to a number of well-being publications, Jessica's writing is inspired by her love for yoga, wellness and sustainable living. Her work is a celebration of the beauty of the world and the joys of gentle travel. She is based in the Northern Rivers of NSW and loves to explore her local area too!
The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.
Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.
But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.
Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.
Where to eat
What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.
Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.
Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison. From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.
Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s, is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.
Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.
Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery.
Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.
Exploring nature
Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).
Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures.
Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.
Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive.
Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa. Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.
Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).
For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.
Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.
Unique experiences
No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.
Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum.Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.
If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.
Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.
Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays, every week.
Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).
Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)
Where to stay
Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.
Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.
Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.
Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.
For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping. Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.
