How CampWatch campsite cancellation alerts work

If you've ever tried to book a popular NSW campground, you know the routine. You check the NSW Parks website. Sold out. You check again the next day. Still sold out. You check again at lunch. Nothing.

Booking conditions allow customers to cancel or change eligible stays. A cancellation may return availability to the booking system, but operators do not publish a reliable release timetable.

That's the problem CampWatch solves. CampWatch monitors supported Australian campgrounds and sends you an SMS with the official booking link when it detects matching availability. You start with 3 free credits, then can buy one-off top-ups. There is no subscription.

How CampWatch works#

The whole process is quick:

1. Pick your campground and dates. Choose from the supported campgrounds listed in the live CampWatch picker. Tell us your preferred dates and how many people are in your group.

2. Verify your mobile number. Enter the code we send by SMS. No app to download or password to remember.

3. Wait for a text. CampWatch checks supported booking systems on a recurring schedule. When the monitored system reports a spot matching your criteria, you'll get an SMS with the official booking link.

From there, it's up to you. Tap the link, book the spot, start planning your trip.

If you're new to NSW Parks bookings, our guide on how to book a campsite in NSW national parks covers the full booking process.

What happens behind the scenes#

CampWatch checks supported availability for the campgrounds and dates that people are watching. If the monitored booking system reports an opening that matches an alert, we send a campsite availability notification by SMS.

We don't hold spots. We don't make bookings on your behalf. We don't do anything to the booking systems. We check what's available and let you know. You book directly through the official booking site for your state, the same way you would if you'd found the spot yourself.

Think of CampWatch as campground availability monitoring on autopilot. Instead of repeatedly checking the booking page yourself, CampWatch checks on a recurring schedule and texts you when the monitored system reports a match.

Which campgrounds does CampWatch cover?#

CampWatch monitors supported campgrounds across NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, WA, NT and the ACT. The live picker is the source of truth for current coverage.

We focus on the campgrounds that actually sell out. If your favourite isn't on the list yet, let us know. We're adding more based on demand. Browse all supported campgrounds on our campgrounds page.

For help choosing between these campgrounds, check our guide to the best campgrounds near Sydney.

How fast are the alerts?#

CampWatch checks supported booking systems on a recurring schedule, but timing depends on the provider and alert dates.

An availability alert does not hold a site. Recheck the official booking page promptly because another customer can book returned availability.

This is why we use SMS instead of email. A text message gets your attention immediately. An email might sit unread for hours.

Can I have multiple alerts?#

Everyone can have up to 10 active alerts. Set separate alerts for the supported campgrounds and dates you want to watch.

Setting an alert uses no credit, but you need at least one credit in your balance to add or restart an alert. Stop alerts you no longer need using the manage-alerts link in your SMS.

How do I cancel my alert?#

Use the manage-alerts link in an alert SMS to stop individual alerts. To turn off all alerts for your mobile number, reply STOP.

What does CampWatch cost?#

You start with 3 free credits. Setting an alert uses no credit. One credit covers the first availability notification for a search, and more notifications for that same search are free. If no matching availability is found, no credit is used.

An availability notification is not a confirmed booking. You still need to follow the booking link and secure the campsite yourself; another camper may book it first.

After your free credits, you can buy a one-off credit pack. Credits never expire, there is no subscription, and CampWatch does not automatically buy more credits for you.

A search includes your campground or park, dates, start-date flexibility, and weekday or weekend preferences. Changing those settings counts as a new search. If you run out of credits, existing alerts keep checking, but a match for a new search requires a top-up before you can view it. Alerts awaiting a top-up pause after seven days. Repeat notifications for a search already covered by a credit remain free.

Check the current credit packs on CampWatch.

What CampWatch doesn't do#

We believe in being upfront:

• We don't guarantee bookings. We tell you when a spot opens up. Whether you get it depends on how fast you book.
• We don't make bookings for you. You book directly through the official booking site linked in your SMS.
• We don't cover every campground. Check our campground directory for currently supported locations.
• We don't send marketing messages. You'll get a confirmation text and availability alerts. That's it. No newsletters, no promotions.

What if I want more strategies beyond alerts?#

Campsite cancellation alerts are your strongest tool for catching openings at sold-out campgrounds, but they're not the only option. We've written a comprehensive guide on how to get a campsite when everything is booked in NSW that covers seven strategies, from date flexibility to alternative campgrounds.

Ready to try it?#

Head to campwatch.com.au, pick your campground and dates, and verify your mobile number. The whole thing is quick.

Then put your phone down, stop refreshing the booking page, and go do something more fun with your time. We'll text you when it's time to book.