Camping near Nelson Bay with hiking

Beautiful beaches, boating, and national park adventures abound in Port Stephens’ largest town.

96% (5482 reviews)
96% (5482 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Nelson Bay

Star Hosts in Nelson Bay

Under $50

12 top campgrounds near Nelson Bay with hiking

97%
(598)

Abstobys Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Bobs Farm, NSW
I have a small private property with grass campsites by a tidal outlet to Port Stephens harbour. We do not offer secluded camp sites away from other people on large acreage. You can spend your days fishing, kayaking or enjoying Nelson Bay and surrounding areas and beaches which are only 15 minutes away. Guests have the use of a retreat shelter/fire place/BBQ area and wifi. Campers must try to be self contained bringing their own water, toilet and shower. Sorry, no caravans over 20ft. Suite solo travellers, couples wanting a quiet weekend and LGBT friendly. We do have available tank, rain water for drinking, a toilet and hot shower, microwave and free wifi available for those who cannot be totally self contained. Yes there are mozzies because you are near water, so bring repellent. Pets are welcome but must stay on a leash throughout your stay. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Please BYO firewood. Fires are only permitted when there are no fire restrictions and in the designated fire pit and designated fire pit area for your own fire pit. Children 16 & under stay for free. Please notify host if you are bringing children. Please be careful and supervise young children near the water.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
93%
(391)

Blueys Beach Farmstayz

16 sites · Tents7 acres · Blueys Beach, NSW
*Please note that this is not a working farm. You can pet and interact with the animals (horses, goats and chickens) through the fence, but no feeding, sheering or other activities available. Thank you for your understanding. Welcome to Blueys Beach Farmstay! MerryLegs's Paddock offers fantastic group bookings, perfect for larger groups. Strawberry's paddock is located towards the rear of the property, offering a comfortable spot for those with kids, with easy access to the amenities. Merrylegs's Paddock is the perfect spot for couples and smaller or larger groups. Merrylegs's is located towards the front of the property, and offers sites for up to 4 guests per site. Enjoy lovely grassed areas with ample shade for your camper-van, roof top tent, free standing tent or swag. We have seven (7) acres of fully fenced grassy paddocks, with mostly shaded open areas. We have a 2 night minimum and a 5 night maximum stay at both listings. We're located very close to Blueys Beach where you can stroll along the shore, go for a swim or help the kids build sandcastles. It’s a flat walk from your campsite, only minutes away along the footpath (approximately 200 metres) to local restaurants, cafes and shops. Those visiting with their furry family member can enjoy the nearest dog friendly beach within council regulated hours just a further 150 metres down the path. You can enjoy access to flushable toilets x 2 and a singular hot shower and a singular cold shower for those after the beach days, please BYO toiletries. We ask that you place all of your rubbish in the bins provided .. we can take your recyclable cans and bottles for the Earn and Return program. To clarify .. YES we have a garbage bin for general waste only .. no recycling bin. We allow campfires when it is safe. ALL fires must be contained in a fire pit. Absolutely no fires are to be lit on the open grass. WE have fire pits for hire and bagged firewood is available for purchase on site .. all fire pits brought onto the property for use by guests will be subject to the discretion of the property owners. All fires and fire pits must be "OK'd" with the property owners prior to lighting, what we're looking for is clearance from the ground to the base of the fire pit .. the greater distance the better. Fires can only be lit in accordance with NSW Rural Fire Services fire restrictions or total fire bans. We've recently had multiple patches of our buffalo lawn scorched to beyond charcoal by careless guests .. you must ask the hosts / property owners before lighting any fires .. unnecessary burnt patches of lawn may result in you and your guests leaving!! We ask you to please note: ** UNFORTUNATELY WE DO NOT TAKE ANY CARAVANS .. HYBRID CARAVANS .. MOTOR HOMES .. RV'S .. FIFTH WHEELER's .. BUSES INCLUDING MERCEDES SPRINTERS of any size .. mainly the footprint of these types of vehicles is far too great .. once again we're only a grassy paddock not a caravan park. Standard size camper trailers and camper-vans, roof top tents are all completely fine. If your bus is longer than 4 meters in length, over 2 meters in height and/ or width with a tare weight of 3 tonne or over SORRY BUT IT IS A NO!! If your camper trailer is wider than 2.5 meters or longer than 4.5 metres in length inclusive of the drawbar .. SORRY BUT ITS A NO!! If you have a Jayco of any description .. regardless of length / width OR what the "registration papers say" .. SORRY BUT IT IS STILL A NO!! - If you have solar panels to charge you might have to chase the sun a little, as there are plenty of shaded areas which is perfect come summer. We do not allow the use of "Slackline or Tightropes" strung between our trees, it causes them to be ringbarked after a prolonged use .. meaning they die in the long run .. rope clotheslines and hamocks perfectly ok on the palms, sheoaks and paperbarks!! - Dogs are permitted here however they must be friendly off leash and must NOT chase my pets which include horses, goats , dogs and our pet chooks. Please pick up after your pooch .. as a courtesy to other guests and also to us, it doesn't happen in a caravan park .. please do the right thing here!! PLEASE ADVISE US UPON BOOKING IF YOU ARE BRINGING A PET/PETS!! - There are animals that live here and they occasionally make animal noises. Specifically, we have a pet Rooster called Billy .. he is meticulous at his job of being a rooster and can start very early in the morning 4am-ish!! We ask you to please be understanding during your visit, that this is Billy's home and we ask you to PLEASE RETHINK YOUR BOOKING if you feel this might impact on your holiday or your guests holiday. On arrival, we ask that you stop at the garages at the front of the house to confirm your check-in and get instructions .. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY, prior to letting us know you have arrived. NO ARRIVALS AFTER 11PM .. during peak periods it impacts greatly on our other onsite guests, we've had too many complications in the past, appologies it simply it doesn't work. When we have heavy rain, some areas of the property are not car accessible and you may need to walk to some amenities. and keep driving to a minimum. Upon your booking you will receive a couple of private messages from us .. these will be located in your HipCamp Messages on the App or the website they will contain instructions for once you arrive .. PLEASE READ THEM!! If you have not already, please download the "HipCamp" app it makes communication a lot easier. We're happy to help if you need more information .. safe travels always!!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
AU$40
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(7)

Melaleuca at One Mile

12 sites · Tents6 acres · Boat Harbour, NSW
Relax and unwind at our Land For Wildlife property, Melaleuca @ One Mile a boutique hostel and campground set on 6 acres of natural bushland in beautiful Port Stephens and only a 500m walk from the sparkling waters of magnificent One Mile Beach in Boat Harbour. It is located just past Anna Bay village which is 2.5km away and the entrance to Worimi Conservation Lands the largest moving Sand Dune system in the Southern Hemisphere, where you can 4WD, swim, surf, or enjoy a camel or horse ride. We have off-street parking with the car park area alongside the only car-free campground in Port Stephens. A large open grassed area surrounded by large melaleuca trees is perfect for throwing down a swag or setting up a tent for camping. You are not limited to a small site, you can use as much space as you desire, and we ask that guests respect others and give each other some room. In addition to the camping area, there is a small off-street, shaded area for a small number of campervans, there are no powered sites and sorry but we do not take caravans. All guests have access to the facilities including warm showers and toilets, a large Main building housing double kitchens with crockery and cutlery, toasters and kettles. There are indoor and outdoor covered seating areas and a free gas BBQ on the decked area with free Wi-Fi available. The Tomaree Peninsula has 26 beaches with numerous walking trails, including the recently upgraded Tomaree Coastal Walk and plenty of water activities including Dolphin and Whale watching cruises, diving, surfing, kayaking, fishing and snorkelling. Nelson Bay is the main tourist centre with plenty of restaurants and cafes and there are more clubs and food options dotted around the peninsula.
Pets
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from 
AU$35
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(382)

Fame Mountain Camp - pets welcome

7 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Pindimar, NSW
We are a "farm stay" style camp in an actively managed pine forest located in the middle of the north shore of Port Stephens. There is lots of space for campers so you will have privacy whilst you enjoy your camping adventure.Our property is conveniently located just 5 mins off the Pacific Highway but a world away. You'll be 2 mins away from Pindimar Beach and 11 mins from Bennetts beach and Jimmy's beach. Good fishing pretty much everywhere you can wet a line. We have clean flush toilets and hot showers. The campsite has good Mobile Phone Signal. Free firewood. Each campsite has its own fire pit. Pets are welcome, but please pick up after them. If your dog is on the government list of restricted breeds or on the dangerous dog list please leave at home We have a gentle and well trained German Shepherd who adores kids but she likes to stay inside the house and doesn't wander around the campsites . Important Note: PLEASE PUT OUT YOUR CAMPFIRE WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR CAMPSITE TO AVOID STARTING A BUSH FIRE. DUE TO A RECENT BAD EXPERIENCE WITH A DRUNK CAMPER WHO THEN ABUSED OTHER CAMPERS., ABSOLUTELY NO "LOUD" MUSIC AFTER 10:00 PM. YOU WILL BE GIVEN TWO WARNINGS. ONE HOUR APART TO TURN THE VOLUME DOWN. IF YOU PERSIST IN BEING A SERIAL PEST, THEN YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE AND THE COPS WILL BE CALLED TO ASSIST EVICTION AND OFFER YOU A ROOM FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT. PLEASE NOTE: 1) We have a maximum of 2 camper trailers or caravans or motorhomes or any combination thereof per site. No limit on number of tents. 2) IF You Have more than 3 vehicles/site please contact host before booking. 3) Depending on the weather on the day, we may have to limit the number of vehicles that can be parked adjacent to your campsite. Please note this property is a working private pine forest. Therefore, as and when the weather is right we could be, logging the forest, milling the logs, or drying the large dimension traditional timber framing lumber. In the near future we will be running sustainable building classes from the property. i.e. showing people how to economically build their own tiny homes using timber sourced from their own land.
Pets
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Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
AU$49
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(77)

Willowbank

5 sites · RVs, Tents252 acres · Stroud Road, NSW
"Willowbank" is a stunning 252 acre property located in the picturesque Karuah River valley with 1km of river frontage. The property has been in our family for 4 generations, being bought by Ian's great grandfather in the 1920's. We cater for guests that are looking to get back to nature and enjoy the great outdoors without feeling overcrowded! We want our guests to be happy and have the best experience possible. Why not follow us on Facebook @Willowbank Hipcamp and see what is happening on the farm and in our community! Located only 8 minutes drive from the historical town of Stroud which was settled by the AA Company in the 1820's as a food growing area. There are still many beautiful buildings from that period to explore. A dairy farm for many years, we switched over to beef around 15 years ago. Currently we run around 120 head of Angus and mixed breed cattle. Within 3 hours drive of Sydney and around an hour from the Barrington National Parks, Newcastle, Maitland, Forster and Nelson Bay, it makes it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway! We are offering four beautiful, partly shaded, camping sites along the pristine Upper Karuah River. All sites are separated for privacy and are all right on the edge of the river. All sites are site only and no toilet or shower facilities are provided. You will need to bring your own camping toilet or self contained caravan/ camper (which can be emptied at the dump point located in Stroud township, 8 minutes drive away). Access to The Paperbarks site is provided by the unsealed council road right to the sites. The site itself is subject to wet weather at times so 4wd vehicles are preferred though 2wd vehicles are normally fine. If it is a bit wet, cars may be parked just off the road. Please note, we do have a house up the hill from these sites. It does face away from the area though. Long Flat's access is through a gravelled lane and is usually fine to access with either 2wd or 4wd vehicles. The Rapids and Riverview sites are accessed via a laneway through the property. These sites are for 4WD VEHICLES ONLY with tents, camper trailers or small off road caravans. As sites are located along the riverbank, at times they are subject to flooding. This may mean that camping there may not be suitable at all times and you may need to move to higher ground in this event. The whole property is also cut off from road access during times of flood. Site 1 (The Paperbarks) is a large site and is suited to camper trailers, caravans, camper vans or tents. It has some flat areas and also some slightly sloping, with river access. Bring your cricket bat and enjoy a game or put up your hammock between the trees and just relax. Site 2 (The Rapids) and Site 3 (Riverview) are both private, flat sites with 4WD ACCESS ONLY. Bring your tent, swag, camper trailer or small off road van and enjoy the river rapids. Site 4 (Long Flat) is a private large flat site for 4WD vehicles with caravans. Perfect for larger groups. The river bank can be a little steep in places and access is via a track so please be mindful when walking. River shoes are also encouraged as the rocks in the river can be slippery. Perfect for a relaxing stay in summer with swimming, canoeing or floating on your raft down the river. Bring your fishing gear for some relaxing bass or mullet fishing during the summer months (catch and release is encouraged). The pristine river is also home to platypus which can be seen early in the morning or late afternoon from the campsites. Please do not try and interact with these beautiful animals, photography is encouraged though! There are also numerous birds, wallabies, possums, water dragons and various other creatures that inhabit the area around the campsites. Sit around the camp fire (restrictions permitting) and watch the stars with family and friends. Firepits are provided for use, subject to fire restriction periods. Remember to bring wood with you! There are opportunities for bush walking, bird watching and mountain bike riding over the back of the property. It is a bit of a hike to get to the access but well worth it, with beautiful views from the top of the mountain as well. Our farm is a working beef cattle property. Please be mindful that cattle and horses have free range of the property, which includes the road, so take care when driving. There will also be at times motorbikes, chainsaws and vehicles operating around the farm as well as on neighbouring properties. We will endeavour to keep the noise away from campers where possible. There will also be the odd cow/horse poo and mooing at night in case anyone has an issue! Small to medium dogs are allowed but must be on a leash at all times. This is due to there being working dogs and cattle in the area. Sorry, NO LARGE DOGS allowed due to past issues. Please also be aware that we are in a tick prone area so make sure you and your pet has adequate tick protection. We do have TV and mobile phone reception with Telstra and Optus on the property. Historic Stroud township has a supermarket, butcher, chemist, cafes, a club and pub along with swimming pool, playground and skate park. There is also a great gin distillery and restaurant, The Farmer's Wife, located at Allworth around 20 mins drive away. Dungog is located 25 minutes away and also has many historic buildings, boutique shops and cafes etc. Gloucester is 40 minutes away and offers similar attractions as well as access to the World renowned wilderness of the Barrington Tops National Park. We hope to make your stay a pleasurable one with many happy memories made. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. ***sorry no parties allowed*** Your hosts, Jo and Ian.
Pets
Campfires
from 
AU$35
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(229)

Mistinthegumtrees BUDGET 2 GLAMPING

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents106 acres · Cooranbong, NSW
Campsites are in our lovely small manicured bush garden setting. It's a level, grass/lawn shaded area. There are 5 x 15 amp powered sites. Suitable for small quiet groups/ families. Not suitable for loud partying. The state forest is a short 10min drive away for bush walking, mountain biking and 4 wheel driving. Beach is 40 min drive away. We are located close to the Central Coast and Newcastle. (In Cooranbong ) Our camp sites have access to three eco toilets and only one shared shower, rubbish facilities and drinking water. (Campfires) we have 5 fire pits on some of our sites , fires are permitted during the winter months. We also have 2 x 4 star cabins which sleep 15 between them, they are listed separately on Hipcamp. However the guests from both the camp sites and the cabins have shared access to the pool and facilities. Which includes a large under cover patio area. FRIENDLY PETS welcome. Small kitchen with microwave dishwasher and cook top and fridge may be used . Please just clean up any mess you make. For the next guest All cleaning products under sink. WE HAVE 2 DOGS that are people friendly., who love to meet new fury friends , they do have the run of our property . As our property has a lot of maintenance lawns /gardens ; we may use mowers blowers etc , we will possibly maintain between 10 am to 2 pm If needed.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(474)

La Cascina

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Floraville, NSW
*****No toilet or shower available at this listing. You must bring your own. PLEASE BE AWARE ENTRY TO THE PROPERTY IS STEEP. Entry is not ideal for large caravans or campervans. ***** We do not allow fires at the campsite between the 1st of October and the 1st of March. We apologise for any inconvenience to this rule. La Cascina is a small property on a hill surrounded by trees and bushland. There are two main camping areas which would suite tent and small to medium van/car camping. There is access to neighbouring bushland with nice short walks available in the area. Only 20 minutes by car to Newcastle CBD, 10 minutes by car to Redhead Beach and 5 minutes by car to Lake Macquarie. La Cascina is a great spot to stop overnight on a road trip or to get away for the weekend to relax. We have no toilets so please bring your own. The access to the property is a steep sealed driveway. Site 1 is an open site with plenty of shade. The area is flat. More suited to larger camping setups. This site is less private. There is vision of the neighbouring property and an overflow campsite 50 meters away. Site 2 is a more uneven surface area which is better for smaller vans and tents. Redhead Beach is the closest dog beach 10 minutes by car. Croudace Bay is a dog park on the lake which is 5 minutes by car. This is a family owned acreage that brings the best parts of environmental living with the benefits of being close to the coast and a city. A very long time ago it was the site of a quarry. The nature has returned and we are left with a beautiful forested acreage.
Pets
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from 
AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
88%
(40)

SeaForest Sanctuary

21 sites · RVs, Tents65 acres · Charlotte Bay, NSW
NOT SUITABLE FOR VANS OVER 18ft. 65 acres of pristine forest excites the senses with its diversity of environments; meandering creek tributaries, a huge natural billabong, rich array of birdlife & wildlife. The property’s rainforest walk leads you through a subtropical tree forest by the banks of Duck creek, past the 'Dingo' large sculpture then to the ultimate viewing of the gigantic ancient trees that are 300 years old. The property is close to 4 beaches - Blueys, Boomerang, Elizabeth & Cellito/Sandbar ( 3 of those beaches are dog friendly and Sandbar even allows Horse riding as well as 4WD). The property borders the southern boundary of the Wallingat National Park - which offers days and days of adventures and has the best look-out over the whole coastal region called the Whoota Whoota lookout. Wallis Lake is literally across the road from the front gate and can be accessed by boat launch just up the Coomba road or at the Pacific Palms recreational club ( Recky) which is a short 5 minutes down the road. Smiths Lake is only 5 minutes drive away in the other direction and has catamaran and boat hire services close to the Frothy Coffee Cafe, located right on the Smiths Lake waters edge. The new water sport called Fliteboard, also known as e-foiling ( it’s a new technology giving the beginner to advanced rider an experience of surfing without needing to catch a wave - sort of SUP and standing on a large stable board but propelled by a battery operated propeller ) is also located here to try out and have lessons on..The stable board GLIDES above the water on a keel like structure that is motorised by battery and is controlled by a hand held bluetooth device. You literally fly above the serene water silently ! ( exclusive deals given to SeaForest Sanctuary visitors - see extras - loading information shortly ) SeaForest Sanctuary sites are 4WD and AWD due to the tracks- some 2WD as long as they have a high ground clearance & depending if we have dry weather. ( I have a small 2WD SUV and it gets around perfectly in the dry weather but I need the 4WD in the wet ). No amenities so campers need to BYO everything they need and leave no trace. Campers MUST bring their own camping toilet... This property is a wildlife/bush sanctuary and thus everyone is asked to please do their part to keeping it that way. The waterways and forests in this area are mind blowing. If you have the opportunity, hire a boat/ houseboat or kayak etc and explore the Myall, Smiths and Wallis Lakes.. Bushwalking trails are everywhere through the many National Parks that surround us here. The property is Dog friendly and owners must be respectful of others and keep animals quiet and contained at night. Goes without saying - please clean up doggie dung and take with your rubbish. Campfires are permitted in a designated area when restrictions aren't in place, plenty of wood to gather your own. Please be mindful that there could be fire bans on certain days during the summer. Farm manager will keep you informed and if the worst scenario happens being a fire warning of catastrophic conditions, please follow the farm managers instructions to evacuate the premises and enjoy some shopping in Forster or go to the movies for the day until the warning has lifted. Horse agistment available.
Pets
Campfires
from 
AU$35
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(447)

Glenmoore

6 sites · RVs, Tents250 acres · Chichester, NSW
We have 250 acres in the Chichester Valley, we grow chemical-free vegetables and farm cattle. We have campsites on the Chichester River and we are in the water catchment area for the Chichester Dam. Suitable for caravans, camper trailers, tents, motor-homes etc. Good access, 4WD not required & plenty of site options. There is no mobile reception here (unless you climb the hills!). Dogs are not permitted due to livestock. Campfires permitted when restrictions aren't in place, Firewood not available at the moment. Tank water available at the house if required. No amenities so campers must be self-contained and leave no trace. There is a dump site in Dungog Showground, bring a CHEMICAL TOILET ! All campsites are by the river, you can bring your own fire wood. Camping firewood can be bought in Dungog, Jo and Roger sell bagged wood $20.00 per bag and kindling, Phone 0412488982, 7 Hooke St. , look for round- a- bout with monument in the middle of it. Price is per person. Kids under 12 stay free!
Potable water
Campfires
from 
AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Nelson Bay with hiking guide

Overview

Looking for the perfect camping experience near Nelson Bay, New South Wales? Look no further! At Hipcamp, we have over 2500 options for you to choose from, all offering incredible hiking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting out, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your needs. With options starting as low as $5 per night, camping has never been more affordable. Our top campsites, Fern Valley Ranch (401 reviews), Rivers Run Colo River (389 reviews), and Bunyip's Camp (577 reviews), have received rave reviews from fellow campers. And with facilities like rubbish disposal, potable water, and pet-friendly sites, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, if you're looking for more adventure, you'll find popular activities like wind sports, snow sports, and climbing nearby. So pack your hiking boots and get ready to explore the stunning terrain near Nelson Bay, New South Wales!

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