Camping in Bendalong – Weekend Guide

Bendalong is a place you can turn up for the weekend and not really go far from your camping spot. The place I recommend camping at is located right on the headland giving you the choice between an open beach (great for surfing) and a more sheltered bay (great for swimming). Everything you need is withing walking distance with even a cafe close by to still get your barista-made morning coffee. It’s also a place you don’t really want to leave.

 

Check out my other favourite beach camping spots for the weekend. All in New South Wales and within a 4 hour drive of Sydney.

 

Camp at Holiday Haven Bendalong

Holiday Haven Bendalong is located at Bendalong Point with unmarked and unpowered sites located on the actual headland. Referred to as the Annex Area on the website, spots are not allocated  so you can pitch your tent where you like. The ground is fairly uneven in places but the views are great, you’re still within walking distance of the amenities block and you don’t feel like you’re staying in a holiday park at all.

I visited in a small group of six friends and it did take a bit of time to find a good spot, although this was mainly because it was dark when we arrived and we needed a larger area. Once we had found one though, we weren’t disappointed. If you’re lucky or just early, you can even bag yourself an ocean view. They’ve got a new video on their homepage which gives you a good sense of this camping area on the headland so I’d recommended checking it out. Due to the size of the area, I’ve never had any issues with booking last minute in the shoulder seasons when I’ve visited (October and April).

From $30/night (unpowered), 1 Waratah St, Bendalong NSW, 2539, (02) 4444 8860.

Here’s a list of the things you can do on Bendalong point:

• Walk 5 minutes down the road to pick up your morning coffee from locals joint, Bendalong General Store & Cafe. Pizzas are also available Friday and Saturday nights 4.30pm-7pm!
• Take the beach path down from where the Deli Truck is, to Bendalong (Inyadda) Beach which is a great beach for surfing.
• Next to the unpowered site camping area, the path takes you down to Boat Harbour Beach where bull rays come into the shallows regularly, fishing for leftover scraps from the fishermen.
• Head beyond Boat Harbour Beach to Washerwoman’s Beach. This is a long sheltered beach, great for swimming and a walk. Dolphins came right up into the bay whilst I was here, which was an incredible experience.

 

 

 

 

Stop in Berry on the way home

Berry is an hour into the journey back to Sydney and a great place to stop. Visit The Famous Berry Donut Van (yes, this it’s actual name and is actually quite famous) for some delicious donuts. There wasn’t a big queue when I was there but I have heard this can happen. Would I wait a long time for the donuts? Erm maybe not but then again, I don’t have a sweet tooth. If you do find yourself looking somewhere else for food though, there are lots of other places to try. Milkwood Bakery is particularly good.

 

 

Bendalong has fast become I place I associate with being able to fully switch off. Everything is within walking distance, the beaches are stunning, and with wallabies knocking around you feel very far from city life. I hope you decide to visit Bendalong one day soon and enjoy your time there.

 

Happy camping!