Holy Camp – Free Camping Weddin Mountains National Park

Step into a landscape rich with both natural beauty and bushranger folklore at Holy Camp, the primary campground for the stunning Weddin Mountains National Park. This tranquil, free camping area is steeped in history, famously serving as a hideout for the notorious bushranger Ben Hall and his gang in the 1860s. Today, it offers a peaceful retreat for campers looking to explore the rugged escarpments and diverse wildlife of this beautiful park. The campground is a spacious, grassy area set amongst native woodland at the foot of the mountains, providing a scenic and sheltered environment for tents, camper trailers, and small to medium-sized caravans.

Holy Camp is the main trailhead for the park’s walking tracks, making it an absolute haven for hikers. The most popular challenge is the strenuous 9km return hike along the Weddin Gap and Black Spring trails to the eastern lookout, which rewards walkers with spectacular panoramic views across the surrounding plains. The area is also a fantastic spot for wildlife watching, with eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, and a huge variety of birdlife, including peregrine falcons, frequently spotted. This is a classic, self-sufficient national park experience; facilities are limited to non-flush toilets and wood barbecues. Campers must bring all their own water and firewood, and crucially, must take all their rubbish away with them to preserve the pristine environment. For a memorable bush camping trip that combines rewarding hikes, fascinating history, and serene nature, Holy Camp is an outstanding destination.

• Website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• GPS Coordinates: -33.89788, 148.00318

Site Information

• Location: Weddin Mountains National Park, west of Grenfell.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, small to medium caravans.
• Road access: Unsealed road, generally suitable for 2WD vehicles in dry conditions.
• Site surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, free of charge. No bookings required.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check NPWS guidelines.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues, picnic tables.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all required drinking and washing water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Very limited to none at the campground.
• TV reception: None.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: Multiple unmarked sites in a designated area.

Essentials to Bring

• All your own drinking water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste home with you.
• Your own firewood.
• Sturdy hiking boots and a map for the walking trails.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: This is a primary hiking destination with several excellent tracks, including the summit walk.

Local Amenities (in Grenfell)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Albion Hotel, Grenfell (~18 km)
  • Criterion Hotel, Grenfell (~18 km)
  • Exchange Hotel, Grenfell (~18 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A good selection of cafes, bakeries, and pubs in the historic Main Street of Grenfell (~18 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Ben Hall’s Cave (within the National Park)
  • Grenfell’s historic streetscape and silo art (~18 km)
  • Henry Lawson’s Birthplace and Monument (~10 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Grenfell Caravan Park (~18 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Company Dam, Grenfell (~20 km)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Grenfell Showground (~19 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations in Grenfell (~18 km)
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Grenfell Visitor Information Centre (~18 km)
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. Public toilets are also available in Vaughan Park, Grenfell (~18 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Central West Slopes

• Summer (December – February): Hot to very hot and often dry. Hiking is best done early in the morning. Average temperatures from 18°C to 34°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and cool nights, generally considered the best time for hiking. Temperatures range from 9°C to 28°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold, with heavy frosts common. Days are typically cool but clear and sunny. Temperatures range from 2°C to 17°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm days with cool nights. The landscape is at its greenest and wildflowers are abundant. Temperatures range from 8°C to 26°C.