Camping in Pretty Beach, NSW, AU: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

A suburb in the central coast area of New South Wales, Pretty Beach lives up to its name with pristine shorelines that face Brisbane Water. Stay in town at waterfront caravan parks, or venture outside of Pretty Beach campgrounds for more opportunities in nature. Bouddi National Park is a unique combination of beaches, bushland, Aboriginal heritage sites, and tent pitches with private firepits. Or head to Brisbane Water National Park—it’s an ancient landscape of wildflower fields and rainforest with winding walking tracks, including part of the Great North walk. Across Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park offers a look into more Aboriginal culture, as well as walking tracks, creeks, an old lighthouse, and cabin rentals with terraces along the shoreline.

Where to go

Bouddi National Park

Comprising the area immediately surrounding Pretty Beach, Bouddi National Park is made up of a diverse landscape of beaches, heathlands, cliffsides, and rainforest. Go swimming, fishing, or kayaking along the beaches. Or take walking tracks and biking trails through the park to significant Aboriginal heritage sites, wildflower fields, and even an old shipwreck. Bouddi Coastal Walk is renowned as one of the most beautiful walking tracks in the region, measuring 8 kilometres from Macmasters Beach to Putty Beach. Spend the night at tent campsites nearby, providing amenities like potable water, composting toilets, picnic tables, private firepits, and rubbish bins.

Brisbane Water National Park

Northwest of Pretty Beach, Brisbane Water National Park’s walking and cycling tracks take campers through scenic views and hundreds of Aboriginal rock engraving sites. Hiking trails throughout the park range from short loops to overnight treks. The park even hosts part of the Great North walk, from Wondabyne to Patonga and Patonga to Pearl Beach. Over 270 animal species make their habitats in the park as well, including rare and threatened birds like the glossy black cockatoo and spotted tail quoll. Caravan, camper trailer, and tent camping are available nearby and provide amenities such as flush toilets, potable water, hot showers, and dog-friendly campsites.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Across Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park is the second oldest national park in Australia. It combines scenic views, natural beauty, and important historical sites. Bushwalking tracks and mountain-biking trails lead through the creeks, rainforests, eucalypts, and mangroves of the park. Or explore Aboriginal heritage through engravings and rock art at Red Hands Cave. Visit Barrenjoey Lighthouse to learn about the area’s maritime history as well. Campsites near the park provide all the amenities necessary for an adventure, including flush toilets, potable water, hot showers, and shared cooking equipment. Along with tent pitches, terraces and cabins are available for peaceful, private, beachfront escapes.

When to go

Summer is the most popular time to visit Pretty Beach with the sun, sand, and surf setting a scene for swimming and snorkelling. Spring is also ideal as it brings a wealth of vibrant wildflowers and blooming fields in the area. Winters in Pretty Beach are mild, with July temperatures averaging about 16°C. However, winters are also particularly popular for whale watching as humpback whales make their way northward from May to July, making Pretty Beach a great year-round camping destination.