Free Camping in NSW State Forests

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Free Camping in NSW State Forests

Most interstate campers seem to be blissfully unaware that camping in ANY NSW State Forests is completely free. Dogs are also allowed in almost all areas. You are allowed to bush camp in any forest as long as harvesting is not in progress. Unlike Queensland you do not need a permit to traverse a State Forest. Wonderful stuff NSW and accolades of praise to those responsible! You can get a taste of NSW State Forests simply by staying in some of the excellent roadside rest areas. A good example is the Bodalla Forest Park pictured above. Not only is this an excellent rest area there is an excellent walk around Wallaga Lake - just the thing to revive you if you are on a long drive. This site will soon have dozens of reviews of little gems we have discovered during our trips. One of our deep in the bush State Forests is Coopernook near Kew. What a delightful spot with absolutely zero noise, flushing toilets, tables, acres of mown grass and heaps of excellent firewood. Many people are scarred stiff to camp in a forest! In our view you are safer than in the city as long as you keep clear of the Ivan Malatt of the world! Seriously this camp is right next to the Forest Headquarters so it is a good spot to try this out if you have never tried it before. Eventually you will reach the stage where you feel cheated if anyone else shares your spot! If you follow our directions in an up coming story this camp is under 5kms off the Pacific Highway. Another one we love, but it's 38 kms in, is Yadboro State Forest a bit south of Milton on the South Coast. On a beautiful clear stream and very close to the Pigeon House Mountains. Lots of dog lovers camp here and walk into Pigeon House National Park. Remember there are NO National Parks in NSW that are dog friendly - still a handful in Victoria though.

The NSW State Forests Information Centre have released three excellent very attractive maps - Central West - Lower North Coast and Central Coast. The cost is $9.85 and you can order on 1300 655 687 or (02) 9871 3377. Their email address is cumberland@sf.nsw.gov.au. The maps also cover National Parks. Please support State Forests by purchasing the maps as we would hate to see this department run out of funds!

So in summing up - if you need a spot to camp overnight away from the hordes, just drive down any forest road and park. Forests are all clearly marked on maps, and in NSW most forest road signs are painted green and white. We have met fellow dog travellers who pass right through NSW without staying in a park or spending one cent on accommodation.

Bob Eustace