New South Wales is an adventurer’s paradise, with a plethora of national parks and camping sites dotted throughout the state. But what about those times where all you want is a warm bed at the end of a long day of exploring? It’s time to check out of the wilderness and into a caravan park, and you’ll be amazed just how many are right near your favourite national parks.
If you’re just starting out in the world of outdoors and adventuring, caravan parks are a great option; allowing you to experience the outdoors without all the gear required to be self-sufficient in the bush.
It can be an expensive set up process to be ready to spend time in the outdoors, do you have the right tent? How will you keep food cold? How will you heat and carry food? The benefits of taking the pressure off at the start and spending your evenings in a caravan park shouldn’t be ignored.
Here’s three picks in New South Wales close to national parks.
Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley
Finish your adventure in the Yengo National Park or Wollemi National Park and snuggle up inside this Cessnock caravan park. With 30 cabins to choose from there will be one to suit your group, an outdoor pool and barbecue grills, so you won’t need to worry about any camping gear.
Yengo National Park offers a variety of activities all year round, why not try mountain bike-riding around the Mount Yengo Loop Trail in the autumn, or set up camp at either Blue Hums or Mount Arm campground and enjoy the rugged outdoors before returning to the glamping experience in this fantastic caravan park.
To the west of the Garland Valley you’ll find the Wollemi National Park, about 75 minutes’ drive from Cessnock. Get the canoe out and head to picturesque Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) for a cruise along the waterways or join an illuminating tour of the Glow Worm Tunnel.
Lithgow Tourist and Van Park, Bowenfels
Feel at home at Lithgow Tourist and Van Park, a little more basic than Ingenia Holidays, but ideal for a quick stop over on the way home or to take refuge from bad weather.
Lithgow is right at the doorstep of the Blue Mountains as well as Marrangaroo National Park, with activities all year round. Enjoy swimming or relaxing while platypus spotting on the banks of Cox’s River. Explore Lake Lyell, just a ten minute drive away, by canoe, or, after rain, run the rapids.
One of the best ways to see the park is on a mountain bike, but if you’re on foot, walk to the top of Mount Walker and enjoy the 360 degree views of the Lithgow area.
If your adventure in NSW is short lived and you need to stay closer to Sydney, why not check out Mittagong Caravan Park, less than 90 minutes’ drive from the city.
Mittagong is the perfect place to set up base while exploring the numerous national parks surrounding, including Nattai and Budderoo National Parks. It’s also just 30 minutes drive to the stunning Fitzroy Falls.
Take a drive to the Burragorang Lookout for spectacular views of the Warragamba Dam, or head further in to the Nattai National Park for adventures in a remote wilderness setting. Try Starlight’s trail or Couridjah Corridor walk for rugged hiking in an amazing setting of giant, craggy sandstone cliffs and unspoilt bushland.
This article was written in partnership with Hotels.com