NSW National Parks manages camping across hundreds of sites ranging from fully serviced campgrounds with amenities to remote camping areas accessible only on foot or by boat. The booking system and rules differ between these categories and getting them sorted before you go avoids arriving to find the site is booked out or that your planned campsite is seasonal.
Booking Through the NPWS Website
Most serviced and semi-serviced campgrounds in NSW National Parks are now booked through the Parks NSW website. Popular sites in school holidays and long weekends book out weeks in advance. If you have a fixed date, book early. Some sites have a two-night minimum on weekends. Cancellation policies vary by site and are worth reading before you book.
Remote Camping Areas
Remote camping areas that require a walk-in may have a lower booking requirement or a self-registration system. Some popular routes, like the Six Foot Track or sections of the Royal National Park coast walk, have booking systems for specific campsites. Check the specific park page for your destination rather than assuming the booking rules for one park apply to another.
Fees and Permits
An entry fee applies to most national parks in NSW and is payable per vehicle per day. Camping fees are additional and vary by site. A yearly NPWS pass covers entry fees across all parks and is good value if you visit regularly. National park entry and camping fees are separate and both apply.
Fire Rules
Fire rules in NSW National Parks change seasonally and with fire danger ratings. Most parks prohibit fires during the high fire danger period from October to April. Some parks restrict fires to specific fireplaces and prohibit portable gas stoves in some circumstances. Check the specific fire rules for your park and your dates before you plan a camp dinner that depends on an open fire.
