Top campsites & caravan parks in Port Macquarie

Best for hikers: Diamond Head campground 

Located beachside within Crowdy Bay National Park, this campground is the ultimate place to stay if you love nature. There are tent, camper and caravan sites, and amenities including toilets, picnic tables, barbecue facilities and showers. Once you’ve ogled the ocean views, take your choice from various hiking trails, including the 4.8km Diamond Head Loop Walk via Indian Head, with its panoramic vistas of the coast, mountains and forest; the shorter Mermaid Lookout track is also popular.

Diamond Head Campground, Crowdy Bay National Park

Best for beach fanatics: Crowdy Gap Campground

The only campground at the southern end of Crowdy Bay National Park, Crowdy Gap campground is located behind the sand dunes on the edge of the water, with sites set over grassy fields on an old dairy farm. Set up camp among the banksias and pink-barked angophoras, inhale the fresh coastal breeze, and unpack your swimmers for a beachside camping holiday – it's an easy walk through lush rainforest and sand dunes to Crowdy Beach. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and outdoor showers. 

Crowdy Bay National Park, Port Macquarie

Best for families: NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park

The waterside location of this award-winning holiday park is just part of the appeal. Set along Port Mac’s legendary breakwall, overlooking the Hastings River, the expansive site caters to those who want to hitch the caravan, pack the tent or relax in a cabin – pets are also welcome. Facilities range from a resort-style swimming pool and children’s playground to sports equipment and on-site dining facilities. Check in – then check out!  

Port Macquarie Breakwall, Port Macquarie

Best for glamping: Reflections Bonny Hills - Holiday Park 

There’s camping, and then there’s glamping in style at Reflections Bonny Hills, perched atop a headland with breathtaking views over the white sands of Rainbow Beach. The spacious and stylish deluxe beach tents have space for four guests. But if you prefer to pitch your own canvas, there are grassy spots for tents as well as caravan and cabin options – pooch is welcome. Kick back, relax and enjoy the therapeutic calm of this peaceful location, just minutes away from the beautiful lake Cathie. Look out for a breaching whale at migration time or grab a board or rod and head to the beach.  

Reflections Bonny Hills, Bonny Hills - Credit: Reflections Bonny Hills

Best for those seeking serenity: Diamond Waters Caravan Park 

From cottages and cabins to powered and unpowered campsites, Diamond Waters offers respite from the everyday across a peaceful, leafy park on the shores of the beautiful Camden Haven River. Check in here and you’re wedged between the river and the sea, nestled on natural bushland with river access via an on-site boat ramp. Pets are welcome (by prior arrangement), and the park is within easy reach of dog-friendly beaches. Facilities range from barbecues and picnic tables to a fully-kitted games room.  

Diamond Waters Caravan Park camping ground, Dunbogan - Credit: Tim Hitchins

Best for endless watery diversions: Point Plomer campground 

Escape the noise of the city and replace it with the peaceful sounds of birdsong and waves crashing on the beach at Point Plomer campground, within Limeburners Creek National Park. The nearby kid-friendly beach and facilities make it a great location for a family holiday, and there are world-class breaks nearby for avid surfers. Pitch your tent or bring your caravan, then make the most of facilities like picnic tables, showers, toilets and a boat ramp.  

 Point Plomer campground in Limeburners Creek National Park, Port Macquarie - Credit: John Spencer/OEH

Best for animal lovers: Bundilla River Camp 

Want to stay on a working farm? You’ve come to the right place. Bundiller River is a hosted stay through Hipcamp, its shady campsite strung along the beautiful Wilson River on a working cattle property. The camp area includes facilities like a picnic table and fire pit, and there are two sites available with power – port-a-loos are available for hire. Kids will love the farm tour and feeding of pigs, sheep and horses, with additional diversions including mountain bike riding and kayaking. Don’t have a caravan? The estate partners with Wrighty's Caravan Hire & Repairs, so you can have a van delivered, set-up and ready for you to enjoy when you arrive.  

Bundilla River Camp, Ballengarra - Credit: Bundilla River Camp

Best for chilling out amid nature: Brushy Mountain campground 

Brushy Mountain campground is idyllically set amid tall ribbon gum and blackbutt forest, offering plenty of grassy patches to set up camp or picnic under the trees. This is the perfect base to explore nearby walking tracks. Discover ancient Gondwana rainforests and eucalypt forests on the easy Brushy Mountain loop walk, or spend a few hours and head to Spoke's lookout for spectacular views on a 9km loop trail. Keep watch for wildlife including rare, spotted-tailed quoll and the shy rufous scrub-bird. At night, get cosy by the campfire and keep your torch handy to spot large greater gliders feeding in the nearby branches. 

Brushy Mountain campground, Werrikimbe National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Best for a quintessential Aussie beach getaway: Dunbogan Caravan Park 

Check in to one of the cabins or powered sites at Dunbogan Caravan Park and your backdrop is a tantalising union of pristine waterways, swimming beaches, nature walks and breathtaking views of North Brother Mountain. The park is pet friendly, and there are great amenities to make the most of. Think, a swimming pool, barbecues, a boat ramp, playground and the Dunbogan Boatshed, where you can enjoy a sundowner and toast your good fortune at the end of the day.  

Dunbogan Caravan Park, Dunbogan - Credit: Tim Hitchins