The Reef Reserve – Free Gold Fossicking Camping, Oberon

Step back into the gold rush era and try your luck at finding a fortune at The Reef Reserve, a fantastic free campground just a stone’s throw from the high-country town of Oberon. This beautiful and historic reserve is set on the banks of the Campbell’s River and is a designated public fossicking area, where visitors are welcome to pan for alluvial gold and search for sapphires. The campground itself is a huge, sprawling, grassy area, offering an abundance of flat, open, and shady sites perfect for all camping setups, from tents to the largest of big rigs. The atmosphere is one of relaxed adventure, with families and travellers sharing stories of their finds by the campfire.

The main attraction is the thrill of the chase. The river provides the perfect, picturesque setting to spend a day panning in the shallows, a fun and engaging activity for all ages. Beyond the hunt for gold, the Campbell’s River is a beautiful waterway for a refreshing swim on a hot day, a paddle in a kayak, or for fishing for trout. The reserve is wonderfully pet-friendly, with acres of space for dogs to run and play. This is a classic, self-sufficient bush camp with basic but functional non-flush toilets. Campers must bring all their own drinking water and be prepared to take their rubbish with them. The freedom to find a perfect spot by the river, enjoy a campfire under the stars, and wake up to the crisp mountain air makes The Reef Reserve a top-tier destination for a fun, historic, and budget-friendly escape.

• GPS Coordinates: -33.7174, 149.82746

Site Information

• Location: On the Campbell’s River, just outside Oberon.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, motorhomes, big rigs.
• Road access: Unsealed access road, generally suitable for 2WD vehicles and caravans with care in dry weather.
• Site surface: Large, flat grassy areas.
• Camping permitted: Yes, free of charge.
• Maximum overnight stays: No specified limit, but respectful short to medium stays are the norm.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets.
• Picnic tables: Some available.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Good for Telstra, patchy for other carriers.
• TV reception: Good.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in your own fire pit, subject to local fire bans.
• Generator use: Permitted, with consideration for other campers due to the large space.
• Number of sites available: Hundreds of unmarked sites in a massive reserve.

Essentials to Bring

• Gold pan, sieve, and other fossicking equipment.
• All drinking and washing water.
• Your own fire pit and firewood.
• Fishing gear and a NSW Recreational Fishing Licence.
• Warm clothing, as nights are cold year-round.

Activities

• Pet friendly: Yes, very pet friendly.
• Fishing: Yes, trout fishing in the Campbell’s River is popular.
• Short walks: Pleasant walks along the riverbank and through the reserve. The main activity is fossicking.

Local Amenities (in Oberon)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Royal Hotel, Oberon (~5 km)
  • The Oberon Hotel (~5 km)
  • Oberon RSL Club (~5 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A good selection of cafes, bakeries, and pubs in Oberon (~5 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • The historic town of Oberon (~5 km)
  • Mayfield Garden (~15 km)
  • Jenolan Caves (~50 km)
  • Kanangra-Boyd National Park (~65 km, 4WD required)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Jenolan Caravan Park, Oberon (~5 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Black Range Camping Ground, Jenolan State Forest (~40 km)
  • Lake Wallace, Wallerawang (~45 km)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Oberon Showground (~6 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations in Oberon (~5 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Oberon. It is best to arrive at the camp fully supplied with water.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. Public toilets are also available at The Common, Oberon (~5 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Blue Mountains High Country (Oberon)

• Summer (December – February): Mild to warm days with cool to cold nights. Perfect for a cool escape. Average temperatures from 12°C to 25°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Cool, crisp days and cold nights. The autumn colours are spectacular. Temperatures range from 4°C to 19°C.
• Winter (June – August): Very cold, with severe frosts, ice, and frequent heavy snowfall. Road closures are possible. Temperatures range from -3°C to 9°C.
• Spring (September – November): Cold to cool days that can be windy and changeable. Snow is still possible. Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C.