Pull out the tent, pack the car and ready the caravan, here’s the ultimate guide to free camping, picnic and visitor sites in NSW State forests.
From scenic trails and lookouts to pet-friendly campsites, pristine waterholes and popular tourist attractions, State forests offer great family outdoor adventures this October school holidays.
“State forests are a fabulous resource for the community – they are free to use, offer an array of facilities and more basic ‘back to nature’ camping and visitors can even bring their dogs along,” said Louise Faulkner, Manager Tourism and Partnerships.
“We love people visiting the forest and ask everyone to look after the sites for others – take your rubbish with you.”
State forests are also working forests where tourism, wildlife protection, primary industries like grazing and apiary and sustainable timber production co-exist.
“It is important to remember that State forests are working forests and visitors may come across trucks and closed areas related to sustainable timber harvesting,” said Northern Regional Manager Dean Caton.
“Each year we harvest and regrow timber from State forests which goes into thousands of homes as framing, flooring and decking and critical infrastructure like powerpoles and wharf timbers.
“When visiting State forests we ask people to read and obey signage, especially staying out of closed areas where operations may be taking place and it is not safe to enter,” he said.
“Trucks may also be using forest roads so visitors should use radio call ups if they have them and drive slowly and to the road conditions. Trucks often cannot use the edges of roads as they are too heavy for the soft verges so visitor’s vehicles need to be ready to move to the side if they come across a truck.
“Being aware of your surroundings in the forest is key to a safe visit - whether it is watching where you walk, being mindful of overhead hazards or keeping your distance from passing trucks.”
To help you find some of the best spots to visit we have asked Forestry Corporation staff to nominate their favourite State forest sites and here’s their advice:
“Coopernook State Forest is one of those places that slowly grows on you with repeated visits. There is so much history there, and I understand why people refer to it as such a peaceful spot. It really is!”
- Leah Moncrieff, Partnerships Leader.
“My favourite site is around Sealy Lookout in Orara East State Forest near Coffs Harbour. It’s not too remote, easy to get to and there’s some great lookouts and walks in unique areas.”
- Owen Lewis, Forestry Worker.
“Once a year, we travel with a few other families and stay at Moonan Cottage in the small town of Moonan Brook at the western base of the Barrington Tops. We take day trips to ‘the Tops’ and our must-stop places always include The Firs (Stewarts Brook State Forest) for its dense pine forest with ethereal vibes. A (literally) cool place on a hot day. And Moonan Outlook, with views for days to the south and west and brilliant sunsets. It’s just magic.” - Louise Faulkner, Manager Tourism & Partnerships.
“Tirrill Creek in Bulga State Forest. Subtropical rainforest can be found in spots along the creek line, as well as scenic rockpools for splashing your feet in. Pretty special.” - Mark Drury, Ecologist.
“I love a bit of fishing, so Koondrook and Perricoota State Forests adjacent to the Murray River down on the Victorian border are always on my list. Great spots for fishing for native fish (Murray Cod and Yellow belly) as well as boating and kayaking. Bermagui State Forest on the NSW South Coast is also excellent for fishing and camping, while Currowan State Forest near Batemans Bay has good bass fishing and canoeing.” - Rob Young, Partnerships Leader.
“Guulabaa – Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest between Wauchope and Port Macquarie. It’s so close to the Pacific Highway but still home to a beautiful native forest. It’s also home to WildNets, The Big Koala (part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail) and the soon-to-be-open Wild Koala Breeding Facility managed by Port Macquarie Koala Hospital/Koala Conservation Australia. With picnic facilities and walking trails in development, and Bunyah Café coming soon too (thanks to Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council), this tourism precinct is a must-stop for any visitors to the Mid North Coast.”
- Kathy Lyons, Senior Manager Country & Community.
Bago State Forest - Paddy’s River Dam, Blowering Dam Foreshores, Hume and Hovell Walking Track, Pilot Hill Arboretum, Sculpture Forest, Paling Yards.
Location: Foreshore Rd, Blowering GPS: -35.540476°, 148.260035°
Barrington Tops State Forest - Manning River, Cobark Lookout.
Access to Barrington Tops State Forest via Gloucester or Scone.
Location: Pheasant Creek Rd GPS: -31.88120234794992, 151.51210752467628
Belanglo State Forest - Dalys Clearing.
Location: Dalys Rd, Belanglo State Forest, GPS: -34.527643°, 150.241341°
Bodalla State Forest - Bodalla Forest Rest Area, Kianga Rainforest Walk, Wagonga Scenic Drive. Location: Bodalla Park Rd,
GPS: -36.151320°, 150.095116°
Bondi State Forest - Bondi Forest Lodge
Location: Rockton, NSW GPS: -37.18646690375689, 149.29029090616655
Boonoo State Forest - Basket Swamp visitor area – Basket Swamp Falls
Location: Boonoo State Forest, GPS:-28.910180°, 152.153782°
Buladelah State Forest - Boolah Dillah Track, Mountain Track, Ted Baker Track.
Location: Pacific Hwy, Bulahdelah. GPS:-32.40791009139656, 152.22272522111493
Campbells Island State Forest – Campbells Island
Location: Murrabit VIC GPS:-35.51140856981758, 143.94973744837247
Chichester State Forest - Allyn River Forest Rest Area – Peach Tree – White Rock – Location: Allyn River Rd, Upper Allyn GPS:-32.155619°, 151.488603°
Chichester State Forest - Telegherry Forest Park - Frying Pan Creek - Currawong Camping Area - Coachwood Camping Area.
Location: Middle Ridge Rd, Upper Karuah River GPS: -32.221114°, 151.745442°
Coopernook State Forest - Coopernook Forest Headquarters
Location: Bangalow Rd, Coopernook, New South Wales
GPS: -31.788881°, 152.608581°
Dog Rocks State Forest - Campbells River
Location: Swallows Nest Rd, Mount David, GPS: -33.785820°, 149.609451°
East Boyd State Forest -Scrubby Creek Rest Area
Location:Princes Highway, GPS: -37.222069°, 149.830303°
Ellangowan State Forest - Braemar Roadside Rest Area
Location: Summerland Way, Rappville, GPS:-29.088060°, 153.001973°
Girard State Forest - Crooked Creek Picnic Area
Location:Crooked Creek Fire Trail, Sandy Hill, GPS:-28.926982°, 152.312500°
Hampton State Forest - Millionth Acre Recreation Area
Location:Duckmaloi Rd, Hampton, GPS:-33.676944°, 150.050272°
Heaton State Forest - Watagan HQ Camping Area - Heaton Forest Park – Heaton Lookout –
Location: Watagan Forest Rd, Olney, New South Wales GPS:-32.975802°, 151.412148°
Kerewong State Forest - Longworth’s Tramline – Swans Crossing
Location: Swans Crossing, GPS: -31.608745°, 152.581787°
Koondrook State Forest - Murray River
GPS: -35.66800670000439, 144.246664668354
Mount Boss State Forest - Wild Bull Camping Area - Cobrabald – The Bluff
Location: Cobrabald Rd, Kippara, GPS: -31.245876°, 152.513164°
Nalbaugh State Forest - Nalbaugh Falls
GPS: -31.23992690611348, 146.91757958395064
Olney State Forest - The Basin Campground - Abbotts Falls – Rock Lily – The Pines Camping Area –
Location: Basin Forest Rd, Olney, GPS: -33.104476°, 151.230474°
Penrose State Forest -Kingsbury VC Rest Area
Location: Stingray Road, Penrose, GPS: -34.619317°, 150.213856°
Perricoota State Forest -Perricoota State Forest Bush Camping
Location: Freemans Rd, Womboota, GPS: -35.940171°, 144.479270°
Stewarts Brook State Forest - Moonan Brook Forestry Cottage – Moonan Outlook – The Firs
Location: Stewarts Brook NSW 2337, GPS: -31.93137288282747, 151.36193641023226
Styx River State Forest - Wattle Flat Picnic Area – Wattle Flat Camping Area
Location: Boundary Rd, Armidale Region, GPS: -30.584152°, 152.200199°
Sunny Corner State Forest - Mary’s Park – Sunny Corner Arboretum – Sunny Corner
Location: Sunny Corner Road, Sunny Corner, GPS: -33.387867°, 149.892964°
Tallaganda State Forest - Lowden Forest Park - Fern Gully Walking Trail – Hopkin’s Pond
Location: Tallaganda State Forest, GPS: -35.509774°, 149.602694°
Urbenville State Forest -Urbenville Forest Park.
Location: Clarence Way, Urbenville, GPS: -28.468365°, 152.548682°
Vittoria State Forest - Macquarie Woods Rec Area
Location: Cashens Lane, Vittoria, GPS: -33.408018°, 149.312622°
Vulcan State Forest - Shooters Hill - Black Springs
Location: Riverview Forest Road, GPS: -33.886148°, 149.845463°
Wild Cattle Creek State Forest - Mobong Creek
Location: Moses Creek Rd, GPS: -30.218611°, 152.779190°
Wingello State Forest - Wingello HQ Camp
Location: Caroua Road Wingello, GPS: -34.715833°, 150.189104°
Yadboro State Forest - Yadboro Flat
Location: Yadboro State Forest, GPS: -35.340331°, 150.217275°
Yambulla State Forest - Newtons Crossing Camp
Location: Allan Brook Rd, Yambulla, GPS: -37.267390°, 149.674800°
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