Weekends away for under $200

The Ruins campground, Booti Booti National Park

Just 15 mins from holiday hotspot Forster, this is a beach stay for the whole family for a fraction of the price you’d expect.

The Ruins has all the facilities to keep everyone in the family happy including a recently renovated, modern amenities block with hot showers and flush toilets. The coastal cafes of nearby Pacific Palms are also close, so when the urge for a barista coffee from that early camping wake up strikes, you’re in luck.

Pristine Seven Mile Beach is only a few steps from the tent. If you can tear the family away from the swims and beach games, don’t miss the walk along the new Booti Hill track for stunning coastal and lake views.

Cost*: $139 for campsite, $16 for 2-day park entry, $25 for café coffees…and milkshakes for the kids = $180

Bungonia campground, Bungonia National Park

If you’re after a micro adventure with some friends, this spot, an easy drive from the Southern Highlands or Goulburn, is the place.   

The big attraction here you may not have heard of but you’ll be Instagramming long after you’ve returned is the Bungonia Slot Canyon. Caving and rock climbing tours are available, but if you need to keep costs down, set out on Green Track for a 3hr bushwalk taking in all the sights including the view straight down into the 300m high limestone cliffs of the canyon.

Bungonia campground has everything your group needs – an enclosed kitchen area for whipping up a big team meal, a gas heater for everyone to warm up around and even a common room for hire for board games and banter in the evening.

Cost*: $98 campsite, $16 for 2-day park entry = $114

Village campground, Hill End Historic Site

Welcome to the roaring days of the gold rush! Hill End is an easy drive from Bathurst, Mudgee or Orange, or 3.5 hours from Sydney, but worth the trip for a truly unique weekend. 

Set up your tent, caravan, campervan or trailer at Village campground, which is a convenient walking distance from the town centre. Good news: furry friends are welcome to stay too!

Start your exploration into the past at quaint museum Hill End Heritage Centre and spend the afternoon wandering around the town’s heritage buildings including the General Store where you can pick up some camp snacks. If you’re curious about life underground, join a tour of Bald Hill tourist mine and go deep down into the 1870s goldmine shaft.  

It’s hard to believe, but Hill End once had 28 pubs in its heyday, so stopping in at the Royal Hotel, for dinner and a chat with one of the locals behind the bar is a must.  

Cost *: $69 campsite, $20 mine tour for 2, $50 pub meal for 2 at the Royal Hotel, $20 snacks from the General Store, $15 bag of firewood = $174

Killalea campground, Killalea Regional Park

30 mins from Wollongong, this is a hidden gem of a short break on the south coast.

Grassy Killalea campground is at the top of a hill overlooking the popular surf spot locals know as ‘The Farm’. Perfect for beginners and casual surfers, hire a board and give the usually gently breaking waves a go.

To explore another south coast wonder, road trip home via Minnamurra Rainforest. The Minnamurra Falls walk will take you deep into the lush rainforest, with wildlife spotting along the way (keep an eye out for lyrebirds) emerging at viewing platforms for the upper and lower parts of the waterfall.  

Cost*: $139 campsite, $40 for 2 x surfboard hire for 1 hour, $12 car entry to Budderoo NP for Minnamurra Rainforest = $191

Sheepstation Creek campground, Border Ranges National Park

Road trip inland from north coast towns Ballina, Byron and Lismore to escape from it all in lush, World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest. 

Bushwalking is the main activity here, so try one of the three walks that leave straight from the campsite. Start on the easy Palm Forest walking track and continue on Rosewood loop until you reach the crystal clear creek to stop for a dip, or challenge yourself with a longer half day hike along the Booyong walking track.  

At the end of an active day, retire and enjoy the special feature which makes this campground extra comfy: camping decks for your tent – meaning no dirt in the sleeping bag, a perfectly flat sleep surface, and an elevated position looking out over the trees. Don’t forget to BYO firewood for stories around the fire.

Cost*: $98 campsite, $16 for 2-day park entry, $15 bag of firewood = $129