Wooloondool Campground – Free Hay Plains Camping NSW

If you’re looking to experience the immense scale and profound silence of the Australian outback, Wooloondool Campground on the iconic Hay Plains is the place to be. This is a primitive, no-frills free camp that offers what so many travellers crave: limitless space. Set on a vast, flat, open area just off the Maude Road, this campground is the epitome of self-sufficient camping. There are no facilities here—no toilets, no water, no bins—just the wide-open sky and the endless horizon of the saltbush plains. This makes it an exclusive destination for fully self-contained caravans and motorhomes, and its boundless, level ground is an absolute dream for those travelling in big rigs.

The beauty of Wooloondool lies in its simplicity and its incredible sense of solitude. You can pull up virtually anywhere, ensuring you are metres, not millimetres, from your nearest neighbour. The pet-friendly nature of the camp means your dogs can enjoy the freedom of the vast landscape alongside you. While the days can be hot and exposed, the evenings and nights are where this location truly shines. The sunsets across the plains are nothing short of breathtaking, a 360-degree spectacle of colour. Once darkness falls, the lack of any light pollution provides a stargazing experience that is simply world-class, with the Milky Way blazing across the sky. While it offers a feeling of complete isolation, the campground is conveniently located just a short 10-minute drive from the full services of the town of Hay, making it easy to stock up on supplies. For the self-reliant camper who values space, peace, and the raw beauty of the outback, Wooloondool is a perfect stopover.

• Website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• GPS Coordinates: -34.51148, 144.76755

Site Information

• Location: On the Hay Plains, just north of the town of Hay.
• Site suitable for: Strictly for fully self-contained caravans, motorhomes, and big rigs.
• Road access: Unsealed road, but generally firm and 2WD accessible in dry weather.
• Site surface: Dirt and sparse native grasses.
• Camping permitted: Yes, free of charge for self-contained vehicles.
• Maximum overnight stays: Generally 24-48 hours.
• Facilities: None.
• Picnic tables: No.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Good with Telstra.
• TV reception: Good.
• Onsite public toilets: No. You must have your own toilet facilities.
• 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 the vast space.
• Number of sites available: Hundreds of unmarked sites in a massive open area.

Essentials to Bring

• Your own toilet and shower facilities.
• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own fire pit and firewood.
• Awnings for shade, as the area is very exposed.

Activities

• Pet friendly: Yes, very pet friendly.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: Explore the vast, open plains. The main activity is relaxing and stargazing.

Local Amenities (in Hay)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Crown Hotel, Hay (~10 km)
  • Riverina Hotel, Hay (~10 km)
  • New Crown Hotel, Hay (~10 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A wide selection of pubs, cafes, clubs and bakeries in Hay (~10 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Shear Outback, The Australian Shearers Hall of Fame (~10 km)
  • Dunera Museum (~10 km)
  • Bishop’s Lodge Historic House and Heritage Rose Garden (~10 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Hay Plains Holiday Park, Hay (~10 km)
  • Discovery Parks – Hay (~10 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Sandy Point, Hay (~12 km)
  • Lachlan River Campground, Maude (~50 km)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Hay Showgrounds (~9 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations in Hay (~10 km)
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Hay Visitor Information Centre (~10 km)
• Public Toilets:
  • The nearest are in Hay (~10 km). There are none onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Riverina Region

• Summer (December – February): Very hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. Average temperatures from 20°C to 36°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm to mild sunny days and cool nights. Ideal for camping. Temperatures range from 10°C to 29°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cold, especially overnight with heavy frosts. Days are typically cool but sunny. Temperatures range from 3°C to 16°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm days with cool nights. A beautiful time to visit as the landscape greens. Temperatures range from 9°C to 26°C.