Green Point Campsite – Free Turon River Camping, Sofala

For a truly authentic gold rush camping experience, Green Point on the legendary Turon River is a spectacular and adventurous destination. This beautiful, remote, and free campground is set right in the heart of a historic fossicking area, offering self-sufficient campers a genuine taste of the wild Central Tablelands. The journey in is part of the adventure, with unsealed tracks and river crossings making a high-clearance 4WD the vehicle of choice, ensuring the campground remains a peaceful haven for those who make the trip. The reserve itself is a magnificent, large, grassy flat on a wide bend of the river, providing numerous private and scenic spots for tents and off-road camper trailers.

The spirit of the gold rush is still alive at Green Point. The river’s gravel beds and banks are a designated public fossicking area, and spending a day panning for a few specks of gold is a fantastically rewarding activity. The river itself is stunning, with crystal-clear water, deep swimming holes, and excellent trout fishing. This is a classic, back-to-basics bush camp with no facilities, so you must be completely self-reliant with your own toilet and water, and strictly adhere to the ‘leave no trace’ principle by taking all rubbish with you. The campground is wonderfully pet-friendly, with endless space for dogs to explore and swim. The freedom to find your own secluded riverside spot and enjoy a campfire under a brilliant starry sky makes Green Point a top-tier destination for the well-prepared adventurer, and it’s just a short drive from the historic gold town of Sofala.

• GPS Coordinates: -33.0957, 149.73229

Site Information

• Location: On the Turon River, near Sofala.
• Site suitable for: Tents, off-road camper trailers.
• Road access: Unsealed roads with river crossings. 4WD with high clearance is strongly recommended. Impassable after rain.
• Site surface: Large, flat grassy and dirt areas.
• Camping permitted: Yes, free of charge.
• Maximum overnight stays: No specified limit.
• Facilities: None.
• Picnic tables: No.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Very limited to none.
• TV reception: Unlikely.
• Onsite public toilets: No. You must be fully self-contained with a portable toilet.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in your own fire pit, subject to fire bans.
• Generator use: Permitted, with consideration for the peaceful environment.
• Number of sites available: Multiple unmarked sites along the river.

Essentials to Bring

• A well-prepared 4WD with recovery gear.
• Your own portable toilet and shower setup.
• All drinking and washing water.
• Gold pan, sieve, and other fossicking equipment.
• A fire pit and your own firewood.

Activities

• Pet friendly: Yes, very pet friendly.
• Fishing: Yes, trout fishing in the Turon River. A NSW Recreational Fishing Licence is required.
• Short walks: Explore the beautiful and historic riverbanks. The main activity is fossicking.

Local Amenities (in Sofala / Bathurst)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Royal Hotel, Sofala (~10 km)
  • The Dudley Hotel, Bathurst (~55 km)
  • The George Hotel, Bathurst (~55 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • The pub and a cafe in Sofala (~10 km).
  • An extensive range of pubs, cafes, and restaurants in Bathurst (~55 km).
• Local Attractions:
  • The historic gold rush town of Sofala (~10 km)
  • Mount Panorama Racing Circuit, Bathurst (~58 km)
  • The historic village of Hill End (~60 km, 4WD advised)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • A private caravan park is located in Sofala (~10 km).
  • NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park (~55 km).
• Next Free Camps:
  • The Diggings Campground (further down the Turon River)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Bathurst Showground (~56 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Limited fuel may be available in Sofala. Major service stations in Bathurst (~55 km). Arrive with a full tank.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Bathurst. You must arrive at the camp fully supplied with water.
• Public Toilets:
  • The nearest public toilets are in Sofala (~10 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Central Tablelands (High Altitude)

• Summer (December – February): Hot days with cool evenings, perfect for swimming. Average temperatures from 16°C to 30°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights. The autumn colours are spectacular. Temperatures range from 7°C to 24°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold, with severe frosts and potentially freezing nights. Light snow on the highest peaks is possible. Days are typically cool but clear. Temperatures range from 1°C to 14°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm days with cool nights. The landscape is green and lush. Temperatures range from 7°C to 23°C.