Free camps near Newcastle
New South Wales · within 80 km · updated hourly
Short answer
As of 3 November 2026, Matey's map shows 18 free campsites within 80 km of Newcastle: 15 from OpenStreetMap and 3 added by backpackers on Matey. 9 are tagged van friendly and 10 have toilets, and the closest is Corys Fall, about 34 km west of the town centre.
Added by backpackers
Free camps other travellers shared on Matey, with their tips.
Free camp · Free
Gap Creek campground (Watagans National Park)
Cooranbong, NSW
Free camp · Free
The Basin Camping Area (Olney State Forest)
Cooranbong, NSW
Free camp · Free
Telegherry Forest Park (Chichester State Forest)
Dungog, NSW
Free campsites from OpenStreetMap
Closest first. Distances are in a straight line from the centre of Newcastle.
Corys Fall
34 km west
- Tents OK
Bangalow Campground
35 km west
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Watagan Headquarters Camping Area
35 km west
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Free Campsite with fireplace
36 km north
Casuarina Camping Area
44 km west
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Barraba Campsite
44 km west
- Tents OK
Olney HQ Campsite
45 km west · run by Forestry Corporation of NSW
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Tents OK
McNamara Park
67 km west
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Bulahdelah
70 km north-east
- Van friendly
Bulga Recreation Ground
77 km north-west · run by Singleton Shire Council
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Tents OK
- Power
Ten Mile Hollow
78 km south-west
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Telegherry Camping Area
78 km north
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
- Dogs OK
Currawong Camping Area
79 km north
- Toilets
- Tents OK
- Dogs OK
Frying Pan Camping Area
79 km north
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
- Dogs OK
Coachwood Camping Area
79 km north
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
- Dogs OK
Van stops: dump points, water and showers
Dump points: 6 within 80 km
Water refills: 4 within 80 km
Showers: 4 within 80 km
Free camping etiquette
- Read the sign at the entrance: stay limits, fires and dogs are set by the council or park manager.
- Use the toilets, or a proper dump point for your van toilet. Never empty it in a drain or the bush.
- Take all rubbish with you, and arrive before dark so you can see where you are parking.
Common questions
Where can I empty my van toilet near Newcastle?
OpenStreetMap lists 6 dump points within 80 km of Newcastle. The closest is a dump point, about 38 km north of the town centre.
Can I sleep in my van anywhere around Newcastle?
No. Councils and park managers decide where you can camp, and many towns ban sleeping in vehicles on streets and beach car parks. Stay at a signed free camp or a caravan park, read the signs for stay limits, and take your rubbish with you.
How up to date is this list?
The page refreshes every hour from Matey's map data. The free camps and van services come from OpenStreetMap, which volunteers edit, so a site can close or start charging. Check the signs when you arrive.
Free camp and van service data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL). Backpacker spots are shared by Matey members.
Free camps near other towns
See them on the map
Free camps, dump points, water and backpacker spots around Newcastle, on one map. Free to join, no fees.
Open the camping map