Native Dog Campground – Cathedral Rock National Park

For the adventurous camper seeking a rugged and remote high-country experience, Native Dog campground is a spectacular choice. Tucked away in a secluded corner of Cathedral Rock National Park, this rustic campground offers a true back-to-basics escape amongst some of the most dramatic granite landscapes in New South Wales. The journey in, via unsealed and sometimes challenging forest roads, makes a 4WD vehicle the recommended choice and ensures that the campground remains a peaceful sanctuary for those who make the effort. The campground itself is a small, primitive clearing set amongst a breathtaking jumble of giant granite boulders and ancient, gnarled snow gums, offering a handful of sites for self-sufficient tent and swag-based campers.

This is a hiker’s campground through and through. It provides an alternative starting point for the challenging but rewarding Cathedral Rock circuit, allowing experienced bushwalkers to tackle the track from a different direction. The surrounding area is a photographer’s dream, with the boulder-strewn landscape offering endless compositions, particularly in the golden light of sunrise and sunset. This is a genuinely remote and self-sufficient camping experience, with facilities limited to just a single non-flush toilet and basic wood fire pits. You must bring absolutely everything you need, including all your water and firewood, and you must pack out every single item of rubbish. The high altitude means it is cold year-round, making a campfire a necessity for much of the year. For a truly wild, challenging, and unforgettable adventure in the heart of the New England Tablelands, Native Dog campground is an exceptional destination.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -30.38753, 152.26815

Site Information

• Location: Cathedral Rock National Park, on the New England Tablelands.
• Site suitable for: Tents, swags.
• Road access: Unsealed forest roads. 4WD is strongly recommended as tracks can be steep, rough, and slippery.
• Site surface: Dirt and natural grasses.
• 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: 5 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilet, wood barbecues/fire pits.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: None. A PLB is highly recommended.
• 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: 5 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• A well-prepared 4WD with recovery gear.
• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood and an axe.
• Alpine-rated warm clothing and wet weather gear, regardless of the season.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: A primary hiking destination, providing access to the Cathedral Rock circuit.

Local Amenities (in Ebor / Armidale)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Ebor Hotel Motel (~35 km)
  • The Welder’s Dog, Armidale (~55 km)
  • The Whitebull Hotel, Armidale (~55 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Fusspots Cafe, Ebor (~35 km)
  • An extensive range of pubs, clubs, cafes, and restaurants in Armidale (~55 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Cathedral Rock summit track (within the park)
  • Ebor Falls (~35 km)
  • Wollomombi Falls, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (~40 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Thungutti Campground (main park campground) (~15 km)
  • Ebor Fossicker’s Caravan Park (~35 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Armidale Showground (~55 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Ebor (~35 km) or Armidale (~55 km). Arrive with a full tank.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Ebor or Armidale. It is essential to arrive at the park fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are in Ebor (~35 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: New England High Country (High Altitude)

• Summer (December – February): Mild to warm days with cool nights, often with afternoon thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 13°C to 26°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Cool, crisp days and cold nights. The autumn colours are spectacular. Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C.
• Winter (June – August): Very cold, with severe frosts, ice, and frequent snow. Road closures are possible. Temperatures range from -2°C to 12°C.
• Spring (September – November): Cold to cool days that can be windy and changeable. The park is vibrant with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C.