New Country Swamp Campground – Remote 4WD Camping Walcha NSW

For the adventurous traveller seeking a genuine escape into the wilderness, New Country Swamp Campground in Mummel Gulf National Park is an unmissable destination. This remote, high-altitude campground offers a truly off-the-grid experience, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Great Dividing Range. Accessible only by 4WD via the Mummel Gulf Track, the journey in is part of the adventure, traversing through spectacular forests of snow gums and stringybark. The campground itself is a simple, peaceful clearing, providing a serene basecamp for exploring one of the region’s most dramatic landscapes. This is not a place for luxury; it’s a place for immersion in nature, where the silence is broken only by the sounds of the bush and the night sky is blanketed with stars, far from any city lights.

New Country Swamp is the perfect launchpad for hikers and nature lovers. It’s located near the start of the walking track to the breathtaking Rainbow Falls, a must-see spectacle where water cascades over a sheer cliff face. The park is a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot wallabies, gliders, and a vast array of birdlife. As a basic National Parks campground, facilities are limited to a pit toilet and picnic tables. Campers must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing all their own water, firewood, and supplies. Crucially, a ‘leave no trace’ principle is in effect, meaning you must take all your rubbish with you. Due to its high elevation, visitors should be prepared for cold weather, even in summer, with winter often bringing frosts and occasionally snow. For those with a capable 4WD and a spirit of adventure, this campground offers an authentic and memorable high-country camping experience.

• GPS Coordinates: -31.32935, 151.86906

Site Information

• Location: Mummel Gulf National Park, Northern Tablelands, NSW.
• Site suitable for: Tents, off-road camper trailers. 4WD vehicles are essential.
• Road access: Unsealed road, 4WD only. Roads may be closed in extreme weather (snow or heavy rain).
• Site surface: Natural grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, bookings via NSW National Parks website are recommended.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check NSW NPWS booking information.
• Facilities: Basic, non-flush pit toilets.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. You must bring all required drinking and washing water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Extremely limited to non-existent. Expect to be offline.
• TV reception: No.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes, pit toilets are available.
• Rubbish bins: No. This is a ‘pack it in, pack it out’ site.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated wood barbecues/fire pits, subject to fire bans.
• Generator use: Not recommended due to the tranquil nature of the park; check NPWS rules.
• Number of sites available: A small number of unmarked sites.

Essentials to Bring

• A reliable 4WD vehicle with good clearance.
• Sufficient water for your entire stay.
• Rubbish bags to carry out all waste.
• Warm clothing and wet weather gear, regardless of the season.
• Your own firewood.
• A personal locator beacon (PLB) is recommended due to lack of mobile service.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No, pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not a primary activity at this location.
• Short walks: Excellent hiking, including the track to Rainbow Falls Lookout.

Local Amenities (in Walcha)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Apsley Arms Hotel, Walcha (~55 km)
  • Walcha Royal Cafe & Accommodation (~55 km)
  • Commercial Hotel Walcha (~55 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Various cafes, bakeries, and pubs in the town of Walcha (~55 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Apsley Falls (in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park) (~70 km)
  • Walcha Open Air Gallery of Sculptures (~55 km)
  • Tia Falls (~75 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Walcha Caravan Park (~55 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Woolloms Rest Area, Oxley Hwy (~30 km)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Walcha Showground (~55 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations in Walcha (~55 km)
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Walcha Visitor Information Centre or Showground (~55 km)
• Public Toilets:
  • McHattan Park, Walcha (~55 km)

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Northern Tablelands High Country

• Summer (December – February): Mild to warm days with cool nights. Average temperatures range from 12°C to 26°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Cool, crisp days and cold nights. Temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold days with very cold, frosty nights. Snowfall is possible. Temperatures range from 0°C to 12°C.
• Spring (September – November): Cool to mild and often windy. Weather can be very changeable. Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C.