Watagan Headquarters Camping Area – Watagans Forest Camping NSW

For an easy and classic Australian bush camping experience, the Watagan Headquarters Camping Area is one of the most popular and accessible spots in the beautiful Watagans National Park. As the former site of a forestry work camp, this large, open, and grassy campground serves as the perfect central hub—or ‘headquarters’—for exploring the surrounding region of lush rainforest gullies, stunning lookouts, and extensive walking and 4WD tracks. Its major appeal lies in its convenience; located just a short drive from the M1 motorway, it’s easily accessible for 2WD vehicles, making it an ideal weekend getaway for families and novice campers from Sydney, the Central Coast, and Newcastle.

The campground is set in a serene clearing surrounded by towering gum trees and offers a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of space for tents, camper trailers, and caravans. It’s a fantastic spot for wildlife watching, with goannas, wallabies, and an incredible variety of birdlife, including the famous lyrebird, often spotted in and around the campsites. The area is a launching point for numerous adventures, with the Abbotts Falls walking track starting directly from the campground. This is a self-sufficient camping experience, with basic facilities including non-flush toilets and wood barbecues. Campers must book in advance and bring their own drinking water and firewood. The combination of easy access, a beautiful forest setting, and its role as a gateway to the wider park makes Watagan Headquarters a fantastic choice for a back-to-nature escape.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -32.97577, 151.41233

Site Information

• Location: Watagans National Park.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans.
• Road access: Unsealed Watagan Road, generally 2WD accessible in dry weather.
• 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: 20 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues, picnic tables.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Very limited to 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: 20 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood.
• Sturdy hiking shoes for the walking tracks.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: Excellent hiking, with the Abbotts Falls and Circuit walking tracks starting nearby.

Local Amenities (in Morisset/Cooranbong)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Bay Hotel, Bonnells Bay (~20 km)
  • Morisset Country Club (~22 km)
  • Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond (~40 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Cafes and takeaways in Cooranbong (~15 km)
  • A wide range of restaurants, pubs, and clubs in Morisset (~22 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Monkey Face Lookout (within the park)
  • Gap Creek Falls (within the park)
  • Lake Macquarie (~25 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Lake Macquarie BIG4, Mannering Park (~30 km)
  • Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie, Morisset (~22 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Morisset Showground (~22 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Cooranbong (~15 km) or Morisset (~22 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Service stations or supermarkets in Morisset or Cooranbong. Arrive at the park fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are in Cooranbong (~15 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Central Coast Hinterland

• Summer (December – February): Warm to hot and humid, with high chance of rain and thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 19°C to 29°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Mild, sunny days and pleasant evenings. Ideal for hiking. Temperatures range from 13°C to 26°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool and often damp, with cold nights. The rainforest areas are particularly lush. Temperatures range from 6°C to 18°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The bush is alive with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 11°C to 25°C.