Bangalow Campground – Watagans Forest Camping NSW

For those seeking a truly tranquil and intimate bush camping experience, Bangalow campground in the Watagans National Park is an exceptional choice. Smaller and more secluded than some of the park’s larger camps, Bangalow offers a genuine sense of escape into a beautiful forest environment. The campground is named for the majestic Bangalow palms that thrive in the area, creating a lush, subtropical atmosphere that feels a world away from the nearby Central Coast. Set in a sheltered clearing, the handful of designated sites are perfect for self-sufficient campers with tents, swags, or small camper trailers who are looking to disconnect and enjoy the peace of the forest.

The campground’s serene setting makes it a perfect spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, with the rich sounds of the rainforest providing a constant backdrop. It’s an ideal base for exploring the surrounding park; the famous Gap Creek Falls walking track is just a short drive or a pleasant walk away, and numerous other lookouts and trails are easily accessible. This is a classic, back-to-basics national park campground with facilities limited to non-flush toilets, picnic tables, and wood barbecues. This means you must be fully prepared, bringing in your own drinking water and firewood, and you must follow the ‘leave no trace’ ethos by taking all of your rubbish with you. Bookings are essential to secure one of the limited spots in this peaceful haven. For a quiet, beautiful, and authentic forest retreat, Bangalow campground is a hidden gem in the Watagans.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -33.0163, 151.42535

Site Information

• Location: Watagans National Park.
• Site suitable for: Tents, small camper trailers.
• Road access: Unsealed road, generally 2WD accessible with care in dry weather.
• Site surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, bookings and park entry fees are essential via the NSW National Parks website.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check booking details.
• Number of un-powered sites: 5 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues, picnic tables.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: None.
• 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: 5 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood.
• Sturdy hiking shoes.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: Very close to the Gap Creek Falls walking track and other park trails.

Local Amenities (in Morisset/Cooranbong)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Bay Hotel, Bonnells Bay (~25 km)
  • Morisset Country Club (~28 km)
  • Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond (~35 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Cafes and takeaways in Cooranbong (~20 km)
  • A wide range of restaurants, pubs, and clubs in Morisset (~28 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Gap Creek Falls (within the park)
  • Monkey Face Lookout (within the park)
  • Lake Macquarie (~30 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Lake Macquarie BIG4, Mannering Park (~35 km)
  • Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie, Morisset (~28 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Camps in the nearby Olney State Forest (e.g., The Pines) are the closest free options.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Morisset Showground (~28 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Cooranbong (~20 km) or Morisset (~28 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Service stations or supermarkets in Morisset or Cooranbong. Arrive at the park fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are in Cooranbong (~20 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Central Coast Hinterland

• Summer (December – February): Warm to hot and humid, with high chance of rain and thunderstorms. The rainforest is vibrant. Average temperatures from 19°C to 29°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Mild, sunny days and pleasant evenings. Ideal for hiking. Temperatures range from 13°C to 26°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool and often damp, with cold nights. The rainforest is particularly lush and atmospheric. Temperatures range from 6°C to 18°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The bush is alive with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 11°C to 25°C.