Araluen Creek Campground, Araluen NSW

Journey into the stunning, secluded beauty of the Araluen Valley and discover a piece of Australia’s rich gold rush history at the Araluen Creek campground. This magnificent, free reserve offers a classic bush camping experience in a location that was once a booming gold town of over 15,000 people. Today, it’s a tranquil paradise for self-sufficient campers. The campground is a massive, sprawling grassy flat that stretches along the banks of Araluen Creek, providing an almost endless supply of beautiful, level sites. Surrounded by the valley’s dramatic, steep hills, the setting is breathtakingly scenic, and there is ample room for all types of setups, from tents to the largest of motorhomes.

The spirit of the gold rush is still very much alive in the valley, and the creek is a popular spot for fossickers to try their luck panning for gold. The creek itself, which flows into the Deua River, is a beautiful spot for a cooling swim on a hot day. The reserve is wonderfully pet-friendly, with acres of space for dogs to run and play. For a free camp, the facilities are excellent, with a clean toilet block provided. Campers must bring their own drinking water and take their rubbish with them. One of the greatest charms of this campground is its proximity to the historic Araluen Hotel, just a short stroll across the creek, where you can enjoy a cold beer and a classic pub meal. For a beautiful, historic, pet-friendly, and budget-friendly escape, the Araluen Creek campground is an absolute gem.

• GPS Coordinates: -35.62461, 149.79588

Site Information

• Location: In the Araluen Valley, on Araluen Creek.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, motorhomes, big rigs.
• Road access: Access via steep, winding, but sealed roads from Braidwood or Moruya. Drive with caution.
• 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: Very limited to none in the valley.
• TV reception: Unlikely.
• 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

• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own fire pit and firewood.
• Gold pan and fossicking equipment.

Activities

• Pet friendly: Yes, very pet friendly.
• Fishing: Possible in the creek.
• Short walks: Pleasant walks along the creek and into the historic village. The main activity is fossicking and relaxing.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs:
  • The Araluen Hotel (on site)
• Places to Eat:
  • The Araluen Hotel (on site)
  • An excellent selection of cafes, bakeries, and pubs in Braidwood (~28 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • The historic Araluen Valley and village.
  • Gold fossicking in the creek.
  • The historic, heritage-listed town of Braidwood (~28 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Braidwood Showground (low cost) (~28 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Berlang Campground, Deua National Park (~35 km)
  • Warri Reserve, Braidwood (~38 km)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Braidwood Showground (~28 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Braidwood (~28 km). It is essential to arrive with plenty of fuel.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Braidwood. Arrive at the camp fully supplied with water.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. Public toilets are also available in Ryrie Park, Braidwood (~28 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Southern Tablelands

• Summer (December – February): Hot and often dry, perfect for swimming. Average temperatures from 16°C to 30°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights. The valley colours are stunning. Temperatures range from 7°C to 24°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold, with severe frosts and potentially freezing nights in the valley. Days are typically cool but clear and sunny. Temperatures range from 0°C to 14°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm days with cool nights. Can be windy. The landscape is green and lush. Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C.