10 secluded Thredbo camping spots you won’t want to leave

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Weary heads will delight in a blanket of stars and swaying snow gums scattered throughout the best Thredbo camping destinations. 

Riverside barbecues and adventures through rich Australian bushland – Thredbo  camping offers humbling escapes and memories to last a lifetime. While Thredbo’s best hotels and resorts provide comfortable lodgings against breathtaking backdrops, nothing awakens your senses like immersing yourself in nature.

We’ve rounded up the most picturesque camping spots at Thredbo to add to your bucket list. 

1. Thredbo Diggings Campground 

Thredbo Diggings
Thredbo Diggings campground has great access to hiking and local attractions. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where: Bullocks Walking Track, Kosciuszko National Park 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 10 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Drop toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecue and fire ring facilities (BYO firewood), limited mobile reception and car parking. 

Perks: A standout Thredbo camping location, Thredbo Diggings Campground in the Thredbo-Perisher area of Kosciuszko National Park is a super scenic bush camping site bounded by the meandering Thredbo River. 

You’ll find access to peaceful walking tracks and mountain biking trails, plus spectacular mountain views. It’s a popular spot with anglers who come to catch rainbow trout, but families also love to pitch up here and take to the trails or swim in the river’s crystal-clear waters. 

Hardy, well-prepared souls can camp or park a campervan on the grounds during winter, too. You’ll need to fork out for park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll be hit with a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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2. Ngarigo Campground 

Ngarigo Campground
Riverside grassy spots are open to all tents and camper trailers.

Where: Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 8 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: One non-flush toilet, picnic tables, wood barbecue and fire ring facilities (BYO firewood), limited mobile reception and car parking. 

Perks: A Thredbo camping hot spot set even closer to the village than Diggings, Ngarigo campground is an adventure-lover’s paradise just a turn off the long and winding Kosciuszko Alpine Way. 

Fly fishing folk love it here as rainbow and brown trout abound, plus there’s plenty of amazing hiking to be done as a diverse forest is decorated with scenic trails. 

All tents, camper trailers and caravans are welcome to set up shop on one of the grassy riverside patches. Quiet generators are also welcome in some parts. You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and there’s a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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3. Leatherbarrel Creek Campground 

Where: Alpine Way, Kosciuszko National Park 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 20 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Drop toilets, fire ring barbecue facilities (BYO firewood), picnic tables, space for tents and small campervans but nothing larger.  

Perks: Another spectacular Thredbo camping spot within Kosciuszko National Park, Leatherbarrel Creek campground is a great spot for a picnic and is frequented often by day-trippers. However, the campground itself is worth hanging around for. 

Dotted by fascinating birdlife like rosellas, kookaburras and currawongs plus plenty of shade, the space is peaceful and idyllic. The terrain is steep so arriving in anything bigger than a small campervan isn’t advised, however you can sleep in vans so plan accordingly. You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll pay a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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4. Island Bend Campground 

Island Bend campground
Island Bend is a magical campground in the Snowy Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where: Guthega Road, Kosciuszko National Park 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 45 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Non-flush toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecue and fire ring facilities (BYO firewood), limited phone reception. 

Perks: Open to tents, camper trailers and sleeping beside your car, the Island Bend campground is closer to Perisher than Thredbo but well worth the consideration for other reasons.  

Located right on the Snowy River, it’s a Thredbo camping spot made for kayaking and canoeing and there’s also a network of hiking and biking trails to be tackled. 

You’re also on the same road as the historic Guthega Power Station and a series of old huts along the Whites River so exploring fascinating relics is a bonus. You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll pay a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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5. Tom Groggin Campground 

Tom Groggin Campground
Tom Groggin is a serene camping spot. (Image: Office of Environment and Heritage NSW)

Where: The Bicentennial National Trail, Murray Gorge, Kosciuszko National Park 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: A little over 40 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Picnic tables, drop toilets and fire ring barbecue facilities (BYO firewood). It should also be noted there is no mobile reception. 

Perks: Located in the southern section of Kosciuszko National Park, the Tom Groggin Campground is right on the NSW and Victorian border. It rests right along the upper Murray River, offering ideal fishing conditions and serene riverside campsites. 

There is also plenty of impressive wildlife including emus and sensational birds. You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll pay a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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6. Adventist Alpine Village 

Adventist Alpine Village
Wildlife lovers will have a fantastic experience at Adventist Alpine Village.

Where: 122 Tinworth Drive, Jindabyne 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 35 minutes 

Price: $-$$ 

Amenities: Showers, toilets, coin-operated washing machines (BYO powder), dryers, a children’s playground, camp kitchen, tennis court, disc golf course, basketball court, equipment hire, barbecue facilities and dump point. 

Perks: Offering plenty of grassy space within the grounds of a tourist park, the Adventist Alpine Village is littered with local wildlife including kangaroos and wombats, plus the odd farm animal, making it a hit with families seeking a memorable Thredbo camping experience. 

The campground welcomes tents, caravans and camper trailers and it’s dog-friendly so you can bring your furry friend if they stay on a leash. 

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7. Old Geehi Campground

Where: Geehi Hut Road, Geehi 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 55 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Non-flush toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecue and fire ring facilities (BYO firewood). There is no water available at this campground and mobile coverage is limited. 

Perks: Another hidden gem along the Swampy Plain River, the Old Geehi Campground offers unmarked and unpowered camping in the middle of nature. From ground level — nestled into a camping chair with a cold one, we say — you’ll spy the Snowy Mountains’ peaks, and there’s also historic stone huts to explore along a nearby walking trail. 

Mountain biking, swimming and fishing is the norm during the warmer months as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and possums scurry along this magical destination right past you.  

You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll pay a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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8. Geehi Flats Campground 

Geehi Flats Campground
Geehi Flats Campground is a picturesque spot near the Swampy Plain River. (Image: Murray Vanderveer)

Where: Geehi Campground Access, Geehi 

Driving distance from Thredbo village: 50 minutes 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Non-flush toilets, picnic tables and wood barbecue and fire ring facilities (BYO firewood). There is no water available at this campground and mobile coverage is limited. 

Perks: Another soothing site located within the Kosciuszko National Park, the Geehi Flats Campground offers flat, unmarked grassy grounds in which to set up digs as the Snowy Mountains loom around you. 

Set on the banks of the Swampy Plain River, it’s the perfect Thredbo camping spot for some fun-filled tubing, kayaking, canoeing and fly fishing. 

And if 4WDing is more your thing, you’ll find several great roads nearby. You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll pay a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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9. Gungarlin River Campground 

Where: Gungarlin River, Burrungubugge 

Driving distance to Thredbo village: Just over 1 hour 

Price: $ 

Amenities: Non-flush toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecue and fire ring facilities (BYO firewood). Mobile coverage is limited. 

Perks: Catch sparkling water views straight from your campsite at the Gungarlin River Campground in Kosciuszko National Park. It’s only accessible by 4WD and camper trailers are as big as you can get, but the remote nature of this pick makes every effort worth it (just nine campsites are offered in total). 

If it’s warm, mountain biking, swimming and fishing are good time killers, while alpine huts are also worth checking out, originally built in 1909 and offering unrivalled insight into what once thrived.  

You’ll need park entry, which is typically $17 per vehicle per 24-hour period, and you’ll pay a winter surcharge between June and October so check the website for accurate pricing. A $6 booking fee also applies. 

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10. Khancoban Lakeside Caravan Park 

Khancoban Lakeside Park
Khancoban Lakeside Caravan Park boasts lake frontage and majestic mountain views. (Image: Matt Beaver/Snow Valleys Council)

Where: 1362 Alpine Way, Khancoban 

Driving distance to Thredbo village: 1 hour and 20 minutes 

Price: $-$$ 

Amenities: Camp kitchen, games room, outdoor barbecues, showers, toilets and a laundry 

Perks: Pick from structured powered and unpowered sites within Khancoban Lakeside Caravan Park. You’ve got the option of cabins, too, but given all the bells and whistles included in this Thredbo camping hot spot, you’re hardly slumming it in canvas walls. 

The property is situated right off Khancoban Pondage, renowned for great fishing and home to a boat ramp. A visit here is best experienced in summer, as crowds will prove.  

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.