Campervan guide · NSW

Free camping in New South Wales

Where you can legally park up for the night, how long you can stay, and 7 free and low-cost places near Sydney and Byron Bay and along the classic routes.

Places listed: 7
Free: 2
Checked: 25 October 2026, against official sources

The sign wins. Councils change rules often. If a site is signed "No camping", don't camp there, whatever this page or an app says.

The rules

Where you can sleep in a campervan in New South Wales

Sleeping in your van in town

Staying in a vehicle overnight isn't an offence in itself, as long as it's parked legally and there are no signs prohibiting it at that spot. Parked legally means every parking sign still applies overnight, so a "No Parking 1am–6am" zone gets you a parking fine. Where a council has put up "No camping" or "No overnight stays" signs, staying the night there isn't allowed, whatever you read online.

Source: Northern Beaches Council: Parking areas (car camping)

Rest areas

Transport for NSW says rest areas are not for camping; if you need a longer rest, find a campsite, hotel or motel.

Source: Service NSW: Find rest areas in NSW

Councils decide

Camping on council or other land generally needs council approval (older state planning circular, now archived), so rules differ council by council. Always read local signs.

Source: NSW Planning circular PS 10-019: Illegal camping (archived)

National parks

Camping in NSW national parks is booked through the National Parks Contact Centre or online. Park entry fees are separate from camping fees: Royal National Park $12 per vehicle per day, Cattai National Park $8 per vehicle per day, Ku-ring-gai Chase $12 per vehicle per day.

Source: NSW National Parks: Fee collecting parks

State forests

NSW state forest stopovers such as Coopernook have a maximum four-week stay.

Source: NSW Government: Coopernook Forest HQ

Places to stay

7 free and low-cost places in New South Wales

Each one is confirmed on an official page, linked on its card. Prices and limits are as published on 25 October 2026; check the link before you go.

National parkCaravan parkFree

Near Sydney

1

Bonnie Vale campground (Royal National Park)

Bundeena, about 1 hr south of Sydney CBD

National park

Price
fee: see source (park entry $12 per vehicle per day)

Facilities
toilets, showers, powered sites, unpowered sites, drinking water, barbecue facilities, picnic tables

Access
2WD sealed

Booking
Book online or 1300 072 757

79 sites, caravan and vehicle camping allowed; the closest real national park campground to Sydney for a van.
Official info: NSW National Parks: Bonnie Vale campground ↗
2

Cattai campground (Cattai National Park)

Hawkesbury River, north-west Sydney

National park

Price
fee: see source (park entry $8 per vehicle per day)

Facilities
toilets, showers, unpowered sites, marked sites, barbecue facilities

Access
2WD sealed

Booking
Book online or 1300 072 757

The gate locks overnight (you get a gate code with your booking) and there is no dump point.
Official info: NSW National Parks: Cattai campground ↗
3

Lane Cove caravan park (Lane Cove National Park)

Macquarie Park, Sydney

Caravan park

Price
fee: see source

Access
2WD sealed

Booking
Book via the NSW National Parks page link

Nothing free and legal exists in inner Sydney; this national-park-run park is the in-city option for vans.
Official info: NSW National Parks: Best campgrounds near Sydney ↗
4

Coopernook Forest HQ (Coopernook State Forest)

Between Taree and Kew, just off the Pacific Highway

Free

Price
Free entry

Max stay
four weeks (state forest limit)

Facilities
barbeque, car park, picnic area, public toilets

Access
2WD gravel

A free stopover halfway up the Sydney to Brisbane run; the page lists caravan/campervan sites. Access surface type not stated, so treat as gravel.
Official info: NSW Government: Coopernook Forest HQ ↗

Near Byron Bay

5

Rummery Park campground (Whian Whian State Conservation Area)

Hinterland between Byron Bay and Lismore

National park

Price
fee: see source (free park entry; budget fee band)

Facilities
toilets, unpowered sites, marked sites, picnic tables, carpark

Booking
Book online (up to 12 people or 2 sites) or 1300 072 757

18 sites, bring drinking water, cooking water and firewood. Road surface not stated on the page. Byron Shire itself bans camping outside authorised grounds, and Rummery Park is one of its named options.
Official info: NSW National Parks: Rummery Park campground ↗
6

Woody Head campground (Bundjalung National Park)

Near Iluka, about 1.5 hrs south of Byron Bay

National park

Price
fee: see source (park entry $8 per vehicle per day)

Facilities
toilets, showers, unpowered sites, drinking water, barbecue facilities, picnic tables, boat ramp, cafe/kiosk

Booking
Book via 1300 072 757 or the NSW National Parks site

91 sites on the coast; no pets, no firewood gathering (buy at the kiosk). Road surface not stated on the page.
Official info: NSW National Parks: Woody Head campground ↗
7

Casino Showground and Racecourse free camp

Casino, Richmond Valley (inland, ~1 hr from Byron Bay)

Free Self-contained vans only

Price
Free

Max stay
48 hours each

Facilities
dump point

Access
2WD sealed

Booking
Call Casino Visitor Information Centre on 6660 0325 or email tourism@richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au

Self-contained only, capped at 12 vehicles, no dogs. The release was dated to a May reopening, so confirm it is still running.
Official info: Richmond Valley Council: Free camping resumes at Casino Showground ↗

Good to know

Tips for camping in New South Wales

Don't rely on rest areas for sleep: Transport for NSW says they are not for camping. Book a campground or caravan park instead. Source: Service NSW: Find rest areas in NSW
National park entry fees are charged per vehicle per day on top of the camping fee. Source: NSW National Parks: Fee collecting parks
Cattai campground gates lock overnight, so you need the gate code from your booking confirmation before you arrive. Source: NSW National Parks: Cattai campground

More on apps, powered sites and keeping your fridge running: free camping vs powered sites.