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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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

2. There’s a booming arts scene

Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

three people swimming in lake macquarie
In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

4. The dining scene is unbeatable

8 at Trinity lake macquarie
Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

5. There are hidden coves and waterways

kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

7. The lake has islands

sail lake macquarie
Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.