Sheepstation Creek Campground – Border Ranges National Park

Escape into an ancient world of towering trees and lush greenery at Sheepstation Creek campground, the largest and most popular camping destination in the magnificent Border Ranges National Park. This beautiful campground is set in a stunning, expansive clearing on the banks of Sheepstation Creek, right in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. It’s a paradise for families, hikers, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in a truly spectacular natural environment. The spacious, well-defined sites are suitable for tents, camper trailers, and caravans, offering a comfortable and serene base for exploration.

The campground is the perfect hub for discovering the park’s wonders. It’s the starting point for several incredible walking tracks, including the family-friendly Palm Forest walking track, which leads you through a beautiful grove of Bangalow palms, and the more challenging Brushbox Falls loop. The campground’s location on the famous Tweed Range Scenic Drive (the ‘Border Loop’) also makes it an ideal stop on this iconic touring route. This is a classic, self-sufficient national park experience with excellent facilities, including non-flush toilets, picnic tables, and gas barbecues. You must book your site in advance and arrive with your own drinking water. The area is a haven for wildlife, with red-necked pademelons often seen hopping through the campsites and the air filled with the sounds of whipbirds and other rainforest creatures. For an unforgettable adventure into a primeval landscape, Sheepstation Creek is a world-class destination.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -28.41369, 153.02282

Site Information

• Location: Border Ranges National Park, west of Murwillumbah.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans.
• Road access: Unsealed roads. 2WD accessible with care in dry weather, but 4WD is recommended as roads can be steep, narrow, and slippery.
• 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: 45 marked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, gas/electric barbecues, wood barbecues/fire pits, 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: 45 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood.
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes.
• A personal locator beacon (PLB) is recommended for remote hiking.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: A primary hiking destination with the Palm Forest, Brushbox Falls, and other tracks starting here.

Local Amenities (in Kyogle)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Exchange Hotel, Kyogle (~50 km)
  • The Commercial Hotel, Kyogle (~50 km)
  • Kyogle Bowling Club (~50 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A wide range of pubs, cafes, clubs, and bakeries in Kyogle (~50 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • The Pinnacle Lookout (within the park)
  • Brindle Creek walking track (within the park)
  • The historic town of Kyogle (~50 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Forest Camp (in the same National Park)
  • Kyogle Gardens Caravan Park (~50 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Kyogle Showground (~50 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Kyogle (~50 km). It is essential to arrive with a full tank of fuel.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Kyogle. You must arrive at the park fully supplied with water.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are in Kyogle (~50 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Northern Rivers Hinterland (Subtropical Rainforest)

• Summer (December – February): Hot and very humid, with a high chance of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 20°C to 30°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, often sunny days and mild, pleasant evenings. Ideal for hiking. Temperatures range from 15°C to 26°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool, crisp, and often sunny days with cool nights. The rainforest is particularly beautiful and misty. Temperatures range from 8°C to 20°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The rainforest is bursting with new growth. Temperatures range from 13°C to 25°C.