Stay grounded in a tent, swag or trailer while camping in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast.

Batemans Bay camping appeals to everyone – from those who like to sleep on the ground in a swag, to others who like to stay tucked up in a tent. In fact, Batemans Bay is one of the best places on the NSW South Coast to zip to and go camping. There’s nothing quite like waking in the blue darkness, unzipping your tent and gazing at the stars from the comfort of your campsite.

Raise your nylon shade and listen to the wind whine across the water. See the silvery dew on the grass. Or hear the birds that bip-bip-bip like alarm clocks demanding attention. Do a vox pop of NSW South Coast residents and they are unlikely to agree on their favourite Batemans Bay campground. But we’re here to steer you toward six of the best places to camp in and around Batemans Bay.

Holiday parks

1. NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort

Dreaming about a road trip to the NSW South Coast? Pack your trusty tent, a few fishing rods and boogie boards. Fill the esky with ice and pull the wide hips of your camper trailer out onto the highway. The NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort is for campers who like their creature comforts.

After setting up your tent, pull out the camp chair and look at the moon silhouetting the trees and dancing across the calm water. This is a great campground for lovers of wildlife who might well spot dolphins and whales frolicking off the coast. NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Park is affixed to the coastline along Wobbegong Bay just to the north of Batemans Bay.

Accommodation: Take your pick between the cabins, beach houses, beachfront and ocean villas and powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites.

Facilities: There’s a lagoon-style swimming pool, pedal go-karts for the kids, and onsite bistro and bar and bikes for hire. There’s also a laundry, communal camp kitchen, BBQ facilities, a boat ramp and wi-fi.

Address: Mill Beach, Banyandah St, South Durras

2. Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach

You will find a range of BIG4 beachfront holiday parks that necklace the NSW South Coast and offer something to suit the whole family. Despite being a sprawling BIG4 holiday park with all the trimmings, you can keep it low-key at Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach and book an unpowered campsite. This is barefoot luxury at its best, with the campground just metres away from the white sands of Merry Beach.

A few hours after you’ve pegged out your patch, you will find yourself flipping the switch to relaxation mode. Set up your picnic table, as the sun dips over the horizon and all the colours are muted. In front of you: beach. Behind you: bush. Wait for the sky to get dark and the stars to appear. It’s the main act here and deserves a bit of reverie. Wake to the frantic chirping of parrots and crawl out of your tent to observe the resident eastern grey kangaroos moving gently through the park.

Accommodation: Having time to spend with loved ones is the greatest luxury. And camping on the beach is a great Australian tradition. Of course, there are also cabins with ensuites, powered camping and caravan sites and even poolside cabins and two-storey presidential havens.

Facilities: The facilities of this holiday park near Batemans Bay make it a magnet for families. Be the first to leave your footprints on the sand at Merry Beach. Make the trek to Murramarang National Park. And enjoy the family-friendly amenities that include a playground, pump track, bouncing pillow, resort-style pool and BBQ area.

Address: 46 Merry Beach Road, Kioloa

3. Barlings Beach Holiday Park

Conversations in communal areas at campgrounds often tend to be about camping, which is the first thing everyone under canvas at Barlings Beach Holiday Park has in common. There’ll be chatter about trips to the best places. Stories about the things you’ve forgotten to pack and how you’ve MacGyvered your way out of it. Inevitably, someone pulls out a guitar and creates an impromptu party.

Barlings Beach Holiday Park has pegged out campsites and communal spaces with congeniality in mind. The campground is about a 20-minute drive from Batemans Bay and a great base from which to dive headfirst into Mogo Zoo, or Batemans Marine Park. It’s also near Tomakin Sports Club – one of the best places to eat near Batemans Bay.

Accommodation: Fancy an upgrade? In addition to the powered and unpowered sites for camping and caravanning, you’ll find a range of cabins and cottages.

Facilities: There is also a playground, recreation room, games room and camp kitchen. There’s a beach nearby and the park is pet-friendly.

Address: 1939 George Bass Drive, Rosedale

National Parks and reserves

4. Currowan Creek Campground

This basic campground in Currowan State Forest is for hardcore free campers who have all the gear. Those with soft office hands should not consider a stay at this rustic campground located about a 30-minute drive from Batemans Bay. But those who like to go off-grid in a 4WD will think it’s you-beaut.

Switch your phone off. It’s unlikely you will have coverage deep in the forest, which features deep swimming holes, a freshwater creek and is fantastic for self-contained camper trailers who like their own space.

Accommodation: Sleep in a swag or in your camper trailer. Be prepared to take all your rubbish out with you.

Facilities: There is a lean-to that was made by previous campers and it’s a handy place to shelter in the event of rain.

Address: Near Clyde River National Park and Budawang National Park

5. Red Gum Campground

Red Gum is a campground that will appeal to adventurous types. Best of all, it’s only a 15-minute drive from Batemans Bay to get to this pretty corner of Clyde River National Park.

There are only four sites available: two walk-in sites, which offer more privacy and space, and two drive-in sites which are a bit close for comfort unless you’re in a group. There are viewing platforms that look out over the Clyde and stairs to access the river.

Avid birders will have to rely on their eyes not their apps to spot the abundance of birds that perch in the trees and on the water. Bring binoculars as there is some excellent ornithological entertainment here at dawn and dusk. Knowing you are unlikely to get service makes this a hardly visited campsite. It’s the place to zig when everyone else zags.

Accommodation: Four basic levelled plots for camping.

Facilities: A fire pit, benches and drop toilets.

Address: Little Island Trail, Batemans Bay

HipCamp

6. The Hundred Acre Woods

Pack your swag and a small duffel bag loaded with a few pieces of clothing, peanut butter, tuna and nut bars and head to The Hundred Acre Woods, popular with fishos for its proximity to local waterways. Fishing is one of the best things to do in and around Batemans Bay, especially if you know what you’re doing because you can find a prime shaded spot away from the crowds. This is hardly backcountry. It’s the back blocks of Batemans Bay. But it feels a helluva lot more off-grid.

Accommodation: Those hip to the concept of HipCamp can enjoy the 40-hectare property, which caters to self-contained campers who have their own camping toilets only. Bookings must be made through HipCamp and guests need to check in upon arrival.

Facilities: Fires and pets are allowed. But other than that, it’s BYO everything. Luckily, you’re just 10 minutes from Batemans Bay, where you will find a range of great options for eating out, including the East Lynne Fuel, a low-key service station where you can buy a bag of un-shucked Clyde River oysters.

Address: East Lynne, near Batemans Bay

If you’d prefer not to camp, read our ultimate guide to Batemans Bay accommodation for all kinds of stays.