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    1. Australia
    2. New South Wales

    The Branch River Retreat

    99%
    ·
    68 reviews
     · The Branch, New South Wales
    100 acres hosted by Debora E.
    1 lodging site · 5 Vehicle/Tent sites
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    Family-friendly
    Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
    Debora is a Star Host
    Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
    Creature comforts
    Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.
    Our property is private and we ask you to contact us first to ensure we can provide the facilities suitable for you setting for birdwatchers and native animal lovers. Just a 2-3 hour trip north of Sydney take the Bucketts Way to stay on sealed roads. A tributary river to Nelson Bay there is a rare offering in diversity as estuary dolphins gently make their way past the riverside sites at least once a day. The Branch River Retreat offers 110 acres with a range of sites beside a wide river, a fish-filled dam and other scattered paddock sites among trees and dams. This will suit off-road independent hybrid caravaners and tent dwellers. The river is lined with mangroves and branches off the Karuah River and the Port Stephens system. The extraordinary array of birdlife includes the quintessentially Australian Wedge-tailed eagle and sea eagles, hawks, and Tawny Frogmouths, water waders and even a regular visit from a Jabiroo and pelicans. Be lulled asleep under starry nights and be woken by Magpies and Kookaburras, and be dazzled by the colourful parrots and smaller shyer birds. You may even be visited by curious Kangaroos, Wallabies, or Echidnas. For the lucky few, you may espy a Koala along the foreshore. For this reason, while we accept dogs, they must be on a leash (if not just for their own safety). The rest of the property enjoys aspects of undulating landscapes with small mountains and valleys. The night sky puts on its own stellar show between setting suns and rising moons. The boat ramp offers easy access for kayaks and canoes (no motor vessels please). Or just sit on a camper chair and dangle your feet in the water while watching the mud crabs go about their social business. Riverside sites are not powered and do not have water or sewerage. They are situated within 10m to 25m of each other and if this is too close, we recommend booking two sites. (For this reason we have kept the price lower.) Generally, we prefer campers to be 100% self-contained, with their own toilet. A toilet is however accessible, but some 300m to 400m distance from the dams and rivers. There is cold potable running water here for topping up. There are sealed roads to the front gate to access the property from north and south. All-weather gravel road access is available, although paddock sites can only be accessed by vehicle during dry periods. Weather willing, we can provide more secluded sites by some lovely dams. If touring around the area is your aspiration, the property lies central to Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest, the Great Lakes district, Stroud Valley, Dungog, Gloucester/Barrington Tops, Nelson Bay, and Newcastle. Local groceries can be sourced from Karuah and Stroud. Activities include: - Bird/nature watching - Paddling/canoeing - Fishing - Bike riding (No motor vessels please) - Surface type: grass or paddock leveled areas and others with slight slopes and accessed with the essential 4WD (of course subject to weather). - Generally fair to good Mobile phone access. - It will be necessary to BYO or Preorder firewood for applicable sites out of fire season, (where facilities are provided). - No electrical connections unless by arrangement (for longer term Hipcampers) - We treat our own sewerage. - No generators please.
    Activities
    Biking
    Boating
    Fishing
    Hiking
    Natural features
    River, stream, or creek
    Swimming hole
    Field
    Wetlands
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    Reviews
    99% Recommend78 Ratings · 68 reviews
    Branch River Retreat offers a serene escape into nature, with its riverside location providing ample opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying the peaceful sounds of flowing water. Host Debora receives consistently high praise for her friendly and accommodating demeanor, ensuring guests feel welcomed and well cared for. The space is noted for its privacy, even when other campers are present, allowing for a tranquil and uninterrupted experience. While the setting is picturesque and relaxing, guests should be mindful of the natural river environment.
    Summary AI-generated from real reviews
    Avatar
    Michelle R.
    8 reviews
    Recommends
    · March 2025
    16 ft travel trailer · With pets ·
    Paddock and Dam site
    Beautiful spot to spend a few nights away. Super friendly and welcoming host. Would definitely recommend and stay again
    Avatar
    Louise H.
    2 reviews
    Recommends
    · February 2025
    16 ft pop-up camper ·
    Riverside and Riverview Campsites
    Wonderful peaceful time at the Branch Retreat. Very picturesque and Debra was so friendly and accommodating. Highly recommend!
    Avatar
    Annika H.
    4 reviews
    Recommends
    · February 2025
    16 ft car ·
    Riverside and Riverview Campsites
    Beautiful spot right on the river with a pontoon as well as a boat ramp. Even though there was another group there, we were spread out enough we didn’t even notice. Debora was a lovely host, always checking in on how we were doing and quick responses on hipcamp.
    Avatar
    Kim G.
    3 reviews
    Recommends
    · February 2025
    Peaceful
    19 ft pop-up camper · With pets ·
    Riverside and Riverview Campsites
    Debora is lovely, site 1 is a great site with lovely Outlook peaceful place
    Avatar
    Tess B.
    3 years on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · January 2025
    Tent ·
    Riverside and Riverview Campsites
    We had a great time at branch river! Relaxing on the jetty was a highlight with plenty of space to our own. Debora was so lovely and accomodating. Would recommend staying here!
    Avatar
    Matt M.
    2 months on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · January 2025
    Tent ·
    Riverside and Riverview Campsites
    Awesome location and great communication. Thanks for a lovely stay!
    Location
    The Branch, New South Wales, AustraliaTraditional, ancestral territory of Guringai and Worimi First Nations according to
    Native Land Digital.
    To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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    Hosted by Debora E.

    Joined in July 2023
    Response rate: 100%Response time: Within an hour
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    Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.