The best camping near Cotter Dam

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cotter Dam adventure.

Cotter Dam: A Sanctuary of Serenity and Natural Splendour.  

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Community favorites near Cotter Dam

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Cotter Dam

98%
(1561)

Bahwidgee on Tumut River

140 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Bombowlee, NSW
Located on the stunning Tumut River, where cool groves of black wattle line the riverbank, offering shade, privacy, and comfort. Here you have clear Snowy River water at your doorstep. It's so fresh we drink it! Each camping site is by the river, prime position for fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Based on availability, you are welcome to choose your spot on arrival. All options are grassed and level. You will have access to a pit toilet, otherwise, please BYO facilities. Small campfires are welcome in the fire pits provided, or BYO firepit (permitting there are no restrictions in place at the time). Firewood can be purchased at the time of booking. We're pet-friendly, so you're welcome to bring your four-legged friends along! Please note, however, that we are a working farm and as such farm activities are going on, and we have resident animals, so please keep your pets under control at all times. Also, please ensure kids are supervised at all times, particularly around the river. Lifejackets are recommended. During your time here, visit the local farm gates in Tumut, Batlow, Tumbarumba, and Adelong for their delicious high-country produce. There are also some beautiful swimming spots and walks to discover in the region, as well as good facilities in town, including the local swimming pool and shopping centre. Enjoy a local brew and bite to eat at the Tumut brewery. Bahwidgee is just 3km from the Tumut town centre - so close you could ride in, or even walk.
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from 
AU$23.75
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(76)

Maddara.Organic.Farm.and.Art

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Yass River, NSW
Once a much larger property, we purchased our 120-acre (50-hectare) in 1984 as a means to live sustainably and raise a family. Living in our shed whilst we prepared the garden, put in watering infrastructure and built our house which we finally moved in when our daughter was 6 months old in 1990. Over the ensuing years we have continued to increase biodiversity on the property and set it up so we can live sustainably, harvesting our own water, electricity and food. If your lucky you could get a hamper of our product when there is sufficient in season. With the increased biodiversity you will find that in the mornings and evenings kangaroos and wallabies will visit with the occasional echidna, rabbit and hare; and to forget the large array of bird life - that may wake you early in the morning with the songs. This campsite is set on lovely grassy open areas interspersed with gum trees. The sunrise looks spectacular near the dam, when the trees give off a lovely glow. The main paddock has a Geodome, a shared space for relaxing in. With all that space you can park and set up camp anywhere in the paddock. There is access to drinking water, toilets, and a hot shower. Around the dome is a firepit, drinking water and a camp kitchen. The firepit features an Argentinian BBQ and a plate for cooking. The kitchen has plates, cups, cutlery, and other bits and pieces for you to use. We also allow for your pets to stay onsite, this also includes horses. If you want exclusive use of the paddocks - refer to Group Bush Retreat.
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from 
AU$40
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(249)

Riverview on the Murrumbidgee

15 sites · RVs, Tents1000 acres · Berremangra, NSW
Follow us on Facebook and Insta - Jarabin.au Located along a 2km stretch of the Murrumbidgee River with a mountain backdrop, Riverview is a working Angus cattle farm, it does not get more breathtaking than this! Little over an hour from Canberra and three from Sydney, you can enjoy large campsites right on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Swimming, floating down rapids, fishing, bike riding, and hiking! So many activities to keep you entertained or just sit back and listen to the rapids from the front of your tent. We are pet friendly, bring your four-legged family members with you - they'll love it just as much as you! We also have secure yards with water for horses, with plenty of walking and riding trails on the farm, you'll have an unforgettable time! Please note, no mobile reception at sites. You will receive a notification 2 days before arrival with the gate code, please note this down as you will not be able to access the Hipcamp app on site (due to no mobile reception). All campers must be self-contained with their own camp toilet, and we kindly ask you take all waste with you when you leave.
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from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
95%
(444)

Goolabri Estate

57 sites · RVs, Tents300 acres · NSW
You are invited to camp on what was once a golf course, and always has been surrounded by natural bushland. Situated only 20 minutes from Canberra, we offer you the opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in a peaceful country experience. There are dams to camp near, and a beautiful nature reserve where you can take a peaceful walk. If you would like to have a wander and experience some untouched bushland, please ask and we can provide simple directions. Bird watching and wildlife observation is unavoidable, and we recommend downloading the ACT Field Guide app. Enjoy your morning coffee surrounded by kangaroos and cockatoos. Suitable for Tents, Campers, Vans and Caravans, with good access for 2WD and caravans. Must have own amenities. There are no toilets on site and you need to take everything away with you. Small campfires are permitted in designated areas, when restrictions aren't in place. You may use dead wood that you find on the golf course area as firewood. Please do not gather firewood from the nature reserve, for wildlife's sake. Pets are not permitted.
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from 
AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(246)

Coots Creek Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents240 acres · Nanima, NSW
Following so many positive experiences with Hipcamp the owners decided to open up their beautiful 240acre cattle property to other Hipcampers, to share the beauty of the land and its flora and fauna in a pieceful environment, to develop friendships and operate the park during their retirement years. Patrons have enjoyed the easy accessibility, stunning sunset views and the peace and quiet of feeling like they are a million miles away from civilization. All sites in the Campground area are sited to give maximum privacy and safety from any fire threat, with plenty of room to place tents/vans for best viewing position. Campground Sites x 8 Beautiful private sites that feel like you are away from the rest of the world. Watch kangaroos, wallaroos and wedge tail eagles. Drive through comfort for large Caravans/RV. - Campers are encouraged to BYO Toilet, greywatertank and fresh water – potable water available for refill of tanks.
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from 
AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(57)

Shepherds Rest

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Mount Fairy, NSW
Beautiful open views across rolling hills and paddocks. Sit by the dam and enjoy the views. Meet the goats, llama and chickens. Walk the farm paddocks with the goats. Mountain bike on country roads. Various sites to choose from. Only 45 mins from Canberra.
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from 
AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(188)

Country Journey, Boxgrove farm

42 sites · RVs, Tents600 acres · Yass, NSW
With over 600 acres of Australian bush, our property is ideal for campers that want their own space. We are completely off-grid (no wifi to distract you) and we run off tank water (for this reason showers are only available for two hours in the evening). There are multiple camp sites on the property - some are close to hot showers and toilets, others are within a short walking distance. Some sites are perfect for our self sufficient campers who might want a nice private location and don't need access to amenities. There are two shared camp kitchen areas (with pizza ovens and bbqs). We have two amenities blocks with toilets and hot showers and two further compost toilets located at other sites. Campfires are permitted in designated areas (check with us when booking) and firewood can be added to your booking - we do require at least 24 hours notice if you want wood. There are lots of old-style games for the kids such as cricket, tennis, playground, bikes available, a swim in the dam and general country running around fun! Unfortunately we no longer have our flying fox, but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. We have some great bush walking areas where you might be lucky enough to see our resident wombats or our breeding pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles. You might also be lucky enough to be there when our two kelpies, Finn and Tori, are moving sheep through the property (they like to put on a show!!). The property dates back to the early 1900s and there are numerous historic buildings on the property. The earliest is a wooden slab hut that was built around the beginning of the 19th century - the Goulburn Penny Post newspaper, dated 3 December 1904 lines the walls of the hut. It also has a two shearing stand wooden shed built by Marcus Dawe in 1922. We try to make sure all of our guests have a great experience - so if you have any special requests reach out to us and have a chat!
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AU$23
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(58)

Anthan Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Warri, NSW
100 aces to explore around the farm. Come at stay and wake up in the morning to free fresh farm eggs. Have fun feeding all the animals in the morning. Piglets, baby chicks, and geese to name a few. Nearby is beautiful Monga National Park, which stretches from Braidwood towards the South Coast. You can enjoy walking along the Penance Grove track. After meandering around the ancient rainforest, enjoy the free BBQ facilities at the Mongarlowe River. Just 15 minutes to the town of Braidwood which is famous for its rare truffles, Braidwood is one of the prettiest towns in the state. It’s the halfway point between Canberra and the South Coast, so you’ll often find its streets brimming with travellers stopping for a lunch break or to browse the antique stores. 20 minutes to Bungendore, 15 minutes to historic Braidwood, 45 minutes to Batemans Bay and 60 minutes to Canberra (approx.).
Potable water
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from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
77%
(13)

Tumut Valley Holiday Park

75 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents9 acres · Tumut, NSW
Built in 1962 and locally owned since, The park has be purchased by 2 families from Wollongong and is under the management of Darrel (Operations Manager) & Brett (Guest Services). Tumut Valley Holiday Park is a quiet, leafy, relaxed family park overlooking lush farmland and the Tumut River. Tumut is situated at the northern end of the Snowy Mountains, and is particularly attractive during the autumn when the thousands of poplars and deciduous trees erupt into rich colours. The park is pet friendly and all our sites have power access and include use of our amenities. As this is a family friendly park we ask all campers to be respectful of their neighbours and noise to be kept to a minimum after 10pm. First Aid Officers and AED onsite 24/7
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AU$27
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(144)

Witts End

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Krawarree, NSW
Spend some time exploring the Deua National Park which is home to the Big Hole and the Marble Arch. Stroll along the banks of the Shoalhaven River and go for a dip.We offer powered and unpowered camping, a cabin and a hut. The property has two large grass sites where power can be provided. Located a short stroll to amenities and approx 50m from the dam where you can sit and relax or enjoy your meals at a communal BBQ area. The campsites have access to a toilet, shower and laundry. Guests can enjoy use of drinking water, a picnic table for meals and rubbish facilities.Louisa's Cabin is a studio style cabin with a small kitchenette (water from outdoor tank), cosy couches around an indoor fireplace and a lush King Bed. The bathroom is a shared amenities block with 2 showers and 3 toilets a short walk through the gardens. There is access to a laundry.Paddy's Hut is self-contained for your comfort, and the perfect location for a family getaway, a group of friends to relax and unwind, or offer the creature comforts to stage you wildlife adventures from.Enjoy the evenings around the campfire as you tell tales under the stars.Pets are welcome, but please be aware the owners have two of their own friendly dogs who are likely to stop by and say hello.
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from 
AU$45
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(267)

Michelago Farm Camping

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Michelago, NSW
Large open paddock with easy access from Monaro Highway, great for camping with amazing views of the mountains. The access road is dirt road. Ok for caravans. Dog friendly (must be well behaved around our animals and not chase them). We have Alpacas in our camping paddocks so your dog must be kept under control at all times. We have a composting toilet available for campers to use. Mobile phone reception in the area is around 3-4 bars 4G on Optus and 3-4 bars 3G on Telstra. Please bring your own wood for camp fires or you can purchase a barrow of bush wood from us in the extras. We prefer you not to collect your own wood (other than starter sticks/branches) as we are trying to maintain logs, branches, ground cover on the ground for native birds, lizards, etc. Private outdoor yoga sessions are available if booked in advance or you can book into the local classes on Thursday nights. All camp fees are being used to rehabilitate our property with plants that are native to our area and restore the land.
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from 
AU$15
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(6)

Bunyip Jerrawa

10 sites · RVs, Tents200 acres · Yass, NSW
Located 20 minutes from thriving Yass we offer just under 200 acres of farm land to stay and explore. This really can be the holiday of your choice; Set up camp and stay onsite to enjoy farm walks, dam and creek swims, wildlife watching and the odd farm animal. And of course cosy up in your camp chair around a fire during winter. Enjoy our 'loo with a view' for a unique toilet experience. Or use it as a base to explore the local area, with Yass 20mins away, Canberra an hour, Murrambateman wineries 40mins, and Goulburn a 40min drive. Be sure to visit Dalton Pub and grab a coffee in Gunning if that’s your thing. Thanks for considering a stay on our property.
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from 
AU$15
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

The best camping near Cotter Dam guide

Overview

About

Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Cotter Dam, where the rush of water and whisper of wind through native vegetation beckon adventurers and nature lovers alike. Here, the Cotter River's journey culminates in a stunning display of pristine waterways, offering scenic drives, bushwalking, mountain biking, and bird watching. While camping is not available within the reserve, the surrounding areas provide ample opportunities for overnight stays amid the wilderness.

When to go

The best time to visit Cotter Dam is during the milder months of spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. Summer can be quite warm, making it less ideal for strenuous activities. Winter, while cooler, offers a unique beauty, though some tracks may be less accessible.

Know before you go

  • Check the weather forecast and plan your visit when conditions are favourable for outdoor activities.
  • Be aware that 1080 poison is used in the area for fox control, so keep pets on a leash and on designated paths.
  • Respect the prohibition of swimming in the catchment to protect water quality.
  • Remember that boating and fishing are restricted to certain areas; always follow local regulations.
  • Take care to leave no trace, ensuring trash is properly disposed of and the natural environment is preserved.

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