Golden Gully Rest Area, Carcoar NSW

The Golden Gully Rest Area is a large and practical free camping spot on the Mid Western Highway, located just a few kilometres from the stunningly preserved historic village of Carcoar, often called ‘the town that time forgot’. This rest area is a popular 24-hour stopover for travellers exploring the beautiful Central Tablelands of New South Wales, providing a convenient base between the towns of Blayney and Cowra. Its spacious, open layout and easy drive-through access make it suitable for all types of vehicles, from cars and campervans to the largest caravans and motorhomes.

As a designated highway rest area, the facilities are basic but functional, providing the essentials for a comfortable short stay. It includes picnic tables, and rubbish bins. The ground is a mix of gravel and dirt and is mostly level, set amongst the eucalypts of the surrounding countryside. The site is pet-friendly, with ample space for dogs to have a good stretch on a leash. Due to its rural location, mobile phone reception can be intermittent, with Telstra usually offering the best signal. Travellers must be self-sufficient, as there is no potable water supply or a dump point on site. The true appeal of this free camp is its proximity to Carcoar, a National Trust classified village with a beautiful streetscape of 19th-century buildings, and its central location for exploring other historic towns like Millthorpe and Mandurama. For a simple, spacious, and strategically located free stop to explore a fascinating part of Australian history, the Golden Gully Rest Area is an excellent choice.

Golden Gully Rest Area – NSW Location Map

Name: Golden Gully Rest Area
Address: 5890 Mid Western Highway, Carcoar NSW 2791, Australia
GPS Coordinates: -33.64009, 149.10196

Site Information

Location: On the Mid Western Highway (A41), approximately 5km west of Carcoar and 15km west of Blayney.
Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including large caravans and motorhomes.
Road Access: Sealed highway.
Site Surface: Gravel/Dirt.
Camping Permitted: Yes.
Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
Picnic Tables: Yes, tables are available.
Potable Water: No. Be self-sufficient.
Mobile Phone Coverage: Variable. Telstra generally has the best reception.
TV Reception: Unreliable; a satellite dish is recommended.
Onsite Public Toilets: No.
Ullage / Dump Point: Not available on site.
Drive Through Sites: Yes, large open area is easy to navigate.
Rubbish Bins: Yes.
Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
Generator Use: Permitted, with consideration for other campers.
Number of Sites Available: Large, unmarked area with ample space.
Essentials to Bring: Drinking water, power source, levelling blocks.
Pet Friendly: Yes, pets must be leashed.
Fishing: Not available at the rest area, but possible at the nearby Carcoar Dam.
Short Walks: Plenty of space for walking around the large rest area.

Local Amenities

Pubs

Royal Hotel, Carcoar: A classic, historic country pub in the heart of the village (approx. 5km).
Royal Hotel, Mandurama: Another friendly, historic pub in the neighbouring village (approx. 8km).
Club House Hotel, Blayney: A popular pub with a bistro in the larger town of Blayney (approx. 15km).

Places to Eat

Carcoar: Has a general store and a couple of excellent cafes.
Blayney: Offers a wider range of cafes, bakeries, pubs, and a large IGA supermarket.
Mandurama: Home to a well-known cafe and general store.

Local Attractions

Historic Village of Carcoar: Explore the beautifully preserved 19th-century streetscape, museums, and Stoke Stable.
Carcoar Dam: A popular spot for fishing, boating, and watersports.
Historic Village of Millthorpe: A foodie paradise with hatted restaurants and boutiques, a short drive away.
Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre: A stunning and peaceful garden, well worth the day trip.

Nearest Caravan Parks

Blayney Tourist Park: A council-run park located in the town of Blayney.
Carcoar Dam: Offers low-cost camping with more facilities than the rest area.

Next Free Camps

Carcoar Dam: A very popular free camping area with toilets and a longer permitted stay.
Neville Showground: A donation camp in the small village of Neville.

Nearest Dump Points

Blayney Showground: A public dump point is available for travellers.

Nearest Petrol Station

Blayney: Has multiple service stations with all fuel types.

Drinking Water Resupply

Blayney Visitor Information Centre: A reliable location to fill RV water tanks.

Nearest Public Toilets (offsite)

Icely Street, Carcoar: Public toilets are available in the village centre.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Central Tablelands experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, frosty winters.

Summer (Dec – Feb): Days are typically warm to hot and sunny, perfect for enjoying the local dams and rivers.
Autumn (Mar – May): Famous for its incredible autumn colours. Days are mild and clear, and nights are cool.
Winter (Jun – Aug): Cold, with heavy morning frosts and cool, crisp days. Daytime temperatures average 2°C to 13°C.
Spring (Sep – Nov): Weather warms up with pleasant days, and the rolling green hills of the region are at their most beautiful.