To help visitors make the most of their time in state forests, Forestry Corporation staff have nominated some of the best experiences on the East Coast.
From scenic trails and lookouts to free pet-friendly campsites, pristine waterholes and popular tourist attractions all bases have been covered in this list compiled by our tourism and partnership leaders in each region.
When you plan a trip to the bush consider visiting these top spots in state forests.
South Coast
- Mogo State Forest - Visit the beautiful Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens with family and friends.
- Bermagui State Forest - Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a day at the Bermagui Picnic Area.
- All South Coast state forests - Take a leisurely stroll along one of the many walking trails across the region.
- Yadboro State Forest - Pitch a tent in our pet friendly campsites at Yadboro Flat Camp Ground.
- Bodalla, Mogo and Nullica state forests - Explore hundreds of kilometres of single bike tracks at one of the many State Forest-based mountain bike destinations.
- Timbillica State Forest - Try and spot a platypus at Imlay Creek Rest Area.
- Bago State Forest - Wake up to bird song at the beautiful Paddys River Dam.
Hunter Valley and Central Coast
- Ourimbah State Forest - Scale great heights and fly through the trees at Tree Tops Adventure Park.
- Strickland State Forest - Spend the day at the waterfall and wander through the arboretum and walking tracks.
- Chichester State Forest - Set up camp at Frying Pan Creek set on the picturesque Telegherry River.
- Olney State Forest - Picnic at The Pines, one of state forests' most revered photography backdrops.
- Ourimbah and Olney state forests - Take on the mountain biking trails in these raved about MTB parks.
- Awaba State Forest - Get a crew together for a game of paintball.
- Barrington Tops State Forest - Wet a line and canoe or kayak on the Manning River.
- Heaton State Forest - Take in the magnificent views at the Heaton, McLeans and Hunter lookouts.
- Olney State Forest - Pack the swimmers and towels for a paddle under Abbotts Falls.
Mid North Coast
- Cowarra State Forest - Visit Guulabaa – Place of Koala in – home of the ‘Big Koala’ and Wildnets.
- Kerewong State Forest - Go camping at scenic Swans Crossing.
- Kerewong State Forest - Take a walk along Longworths Historic Tramway Walk.
- Coopernook State Forest - Picnic at Coopernook HQ and visit the restored Foresters Cottage.
- Queens Lake State Forest - Take on the Mountain Bike Riding trails at Jolly Nose.
- Mount Boss State Forest - Cool off at Cobrabald (Wild Bull and The Bluff Camping areas)
- Mount Boss State Forest - Take the camera gear and go birdwatching at No. 1 Tower.
- Burrawan State Forest - Visit the award-winning ‘Old Bottlebutt’.
- Cairncross State Forest - Book a game with Mid North Coast Paintball.
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North Coast
- Orara East State Forest – Picnic at Niigi Niigi/Sealy Lookout.
- Styx River State Forest – Tour along Styx Forest Way to Wattle Flat and camp next to Styx River.
- Wild Cattle Creek State Forest - Visit the upgraded day use and camping areas on Mobong Creek.
- Wedding Bells State Forest – Mountain biking on the trails managed by the Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club.
- Bom Bom State Forest – Mountain biking on trails managed by the Grafton Mountain Bike Club.
- Pine Creek State Forest – Mountain biking on trails managed by the Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club.
- Nambucca State Forest – Access deep creek from the northern edge of the forest.
- Newry State Forest - Paddleboard or kayak along Picket Hill Creek into the Kalang River.
- Double Duke State Forest – Explore the coastal forests and ranges or ride the New Italy Mountain Bike Forest.
With more than 2-million hectares of State forests across NSW, there are endless places to discover and experiences to share.
Camping in dog-friendly state forest campgrounds is free and there is no online booking, it's just a case of first in best dressed.