If you’ve been looking for campsites in Sydney’s amazing blue mountains but aren’t having much luck finding any, then I want to let you in on my top five – including some amazing hidden gems!

A lot of the Blue Mountains is national park, and being world-renowned is extremely protected. That means lots of locked gates and hike-in only campsites, but if you know where to look, you can find some incredible campsites you can get to with your car, that are just deadset stunning. Make sure you read through to the end, because I’ve saved my absolute favourite for last – you won’t want to miss this one!

GLENROY COTTAGES & CAMPGROUND

Don’t let the name fool you – while there are a couple of cottages to rent at Glenroy, there’s also an amazing lush green grassy campground right on the banks of the crystal-clear Cox’s River, and it’s an absolute ripper!

Glenroy is a private property, that’s open to the public for camping. It’s located at the northern end of Jenolan Caves Road at Hartley, a couple of kays down from the Great Western Highway intersection. Access is two wheel drive friendly, and there are hot showers and flushing toilets in the amenities block – a nice little touch of luxury. There’s plenty of room for camper trailers and caravans and of course heaps of nice flat ground for tents and swags. Campfires are allowed in existing firepits, but bring your own firewood. No dogs allowed unfortunately, as there are cattle on the property at times. It’s only 15 minutes into Lithgow, and there’s heaps to explore in the area, with 4WD tracks at Lithgow, and beaut pubs like the Hampton Hotel for lunch just up the road. Just one final note – this is best visited on the weekend, as mid-week the Jenolan Caves Road is a busy truck route out to Oberon. $15 per adult per night, kids over 5 $5 a night. Visit www.glenroycottages.com to make a booking online, or call campground hosts Brad and Rosemary on 02 6355 2186. Mobile reception is patchy depending on carrier.

TITLE 2: LAKE LYELL RECREATION PARK

Lake Lyell Recreation Park is a beauty of a campsite – a private bush caravan park-type campground right on the banks of the beautiful Lake Lyell, 10min south-east of Lithgow. Turn off the Great Western Highway at the Shell servo just north of Lithgow onto Magpie Hollow Road, and follow the road for 6km until you reach the entrance to the holiday park. There’s heaps of waterfront camping spread out right along the banks of the lake, a roped-off swimming area for hot days, an on-site concrete boat ramp and flushing toilets and hot showers in the amenities blocks. Dogs allowed on leash, and campfires are allowed but bring your own firewood or purchase at the site office on check-in. Plenty of room for camper trailers and caravans, and powered sites are available. Lake Lyell is best visited on quiet weekends or mid-week as it does get very busy at peak times, being popular with Lithgow locals as a waterskiing and fishing spot. Non-powered sites $27/night up to 5 people. Bookings essential – visit www.lakelyallrecreationpark.com.au or call (02) 6355 6347 to book in. Good mobile phone reception for most carriers.

TITLE 3: BURRALOW CREEK CAMPGROUND, NORTH RICHMOND

Let’s shoot across to the opposite side of the Blue Mountains now, to our first National Parks campground – Burralow Creek. This wide open, grassy and flat campground is accessed via Bells Line of Road to Kurrajong, then taking Warks Hill Road and then Burralow Road onto the moderately steep, 4WD-only Tabaraga Firetrail for 8km. When you get to the campground you’ll find heaps of wide open space to spread out, basic drop toilets and firerings. Being within National Park means you must bring your own firewood, as collecting firewood on site is not allowed, and no dogs allowed unfortunately. The campground is camper trailer and caravan friendly, but only in dry weather given the moderate steepness of the fire trail into camp. While it’s not the most amazing campground you’ll ever camp at, this is a great close-to-home place to roll your swag out for the night and spend a bit of time around a campfire. No camping fees apply, but to comply with covid-safe regulations, all NSW National Parks require pre-booking, which attracts a $6 booking fee. Visit www.nationalparks.com.au or call 1300 072 757 to book. No mobile phone reception.

TITLE 4: NEWNES CAMPGROUND, VIA CAPERTEE

Newnes Campground is one of my all-time favourites, and as soon as you see the footage, you’ll see why! This stunning, picture-perfect campground is bordered by massive cliffs and rugged bushland, and there’s heaps to do for the whole family. Access is via the Castlereagh Highway from Lithgow up to Lidsdale, and then a 35km paved road down into the campground. The campsite is 2WD friendly and there’s no dramas getting a camper trailer or caravan down there, although the campground is split into two, on either side of the Wolgan river. The open, green and grassy camping doesn’t require crossing the shallow river crossing, but if it’s busy and you’ve got a 4WD then there is more rugged bush camping on the opposite side of the river. The historic Newnes Hotel has been converted to a museum/gift shop that serves cold drinks and some small odds and ends, but no alcohol or hot meals. Otherwise, bring the kids’ bikes or go for a walk through the historic industrial ruins of the old coke ovens which is a must-see. Being National Park means the same restrictions – no firewood collection so bring your own, only use the provided fire rings, and no dogs allowed. Drop toilets on site, pre-bookings essential via www.nationalparks.com.au or call 1300 072 757. No phone reception down in the valley.

TITLE 5: COORONGOOBA CAMPGROUND, WOLLEMI NATIONAL PARK

Okay, so while Newnes was right on the edge of the Blue Mountains, this fifth campground is just that little bit further – but it’s so amazing that I couldn’t leave it out! Coorongooba Campround in Wollembi National Park is accessed via the Castlereagh Highway to Capertee, then travelling east to Glen Davis Village and following the signs to the park. Set amongst stunning sheer cliff faces in all directions, this sprawling, open and grassy campground has so much room for big groups to spread out. Because it’s just that little bit further out, it’s often considerably quieter at peak times than Newnes, which makes it such a winner in my books. It’s set right on the crystal clear Capertee River which is amazing for a swim on a warm day, with heaps of deep pools and shallow sections for everyone to cool off in. Heaps of room for caravans and camper trailers, plus plenty of flat campsites for tents and swags. There’s good walking and beginner-level mountain bike trails in the area, firepits and woodfired BBQs, and drop toilets – but no phone reception down in the valley. No camping fees required here apart from the $6 booking fee – pre-bookings essential via www.nationalparks.com.au or call 1300 072 757.

There you go, those are my top 5 campsites close to Sydney! Whether you’re running a tent, a swag, rootftop tent, camper trailer or even a caravan– these campsites near Sydney are deadest winners in my books!