Kayak camping in NSW: the best paddle-in campgrounds and overnight trips

There's a stretch of the Shoalhaven Gorge in Kangaroo Valley where the only way in is by paddle. No roads, no 4WD tracks, no other campers who drove in at the last minute. Just towering sandstone cliffs, flat water, and campsites you earn by paddling to them.

Kayak camping in NSW combines two of the best things about the outdoors: paddling through stunning waterways and sleeping in places most people never reach. Whether you're after a gentle overnight float on Myall Lakes or a multi-day expedition down the Snowy River, NSW has paddle-in camping for every skill level.

Here are the best spots, what you need to know before you go, and how to plan your first overnight paddle.

Best kayak camping spots in NSW#

Lake Yarrunga and the Shoalhaven Gorge, Kangaroo Valley#

This is the gold standard for kayak camping in NSW. Starting from Tallowa Dam in Morton National Park, you paddle northeast upstream on the Kangaroo River through a gorge framed by sheer sandstone cliffs. After rain, waterfalls cascade over the cliff edges. Azure kingfishers dart along the water's edge year-round.

The paddle to the camping areas at Fossickers Flat takes roughly three to four hours (about 12 km). Multiple bush campsites sit along the river, some with NPWS pit toilets. No powered boats are permitted, so the only sounds are your paddle and the bush.

What makes it special: This section of the gorge is only accessible by water, meaning you'll likely have a campsite entirely to yourself on weekdays.

Getting started: Kangaroo Valley Kayaks and Kangaroo Valley Safaris hire canoes and kayaks, and handle transport to Tallowa Dam. A double canoe costs around $250 per person for the overnight trip. It's about two hours south of Sydney.

Skill level: Beginner-friendly. The water is flat and calm, with no rapids or tidal currents.

Myall Lakes National Park#

Myall Lakes is the largest coastal lake system on the NSW coast and a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance. Seven campgrounds line Two Mile Lake, making it perfect for a one-night or multi-day kayak camping trip.

The paddle around Two Mile Lake is roughly 15 km return (about three hours of paddling), with plenty of spots to pull up and camp. Mungo Brush campground at the northern end serves as a good base if you want to warm up with a day paddle before committing to an overnight trip.

What makes it special: Paddling through a wetland ecosystem with pelicans, sea eagles, and dolphins (in the lower reaches). The water shifts between freshwater and brackish depending on where you are.

Getting started: Launch from Mungo Brush or Bombah Point. BYO kayak or hire from local operators in Tea Gardens.

Skill level: Beginner to intermediate. Open water sections can get windy in the afternoon, so start early.

Gentlemans Halt, Marramarra National Park#

Only 50 km from Sydney's CBD, Gentlemans Halt is one of the most remote-feeling campgrounds near the city. You reach it either by paddling up the Hawkesbury River or hiking a 10 km trail from the road. Most people paddle.

The campground sits in dense bush on the river's edge, with basic facilities (pit toilet, no water). Wedge-tailed eagles circle overhead, and the sandstone overhangs along the river are worth exploring.

What makes it special: A genuine wilderness experience less than an hour from central Sydney. Paddle in from Berowra Waters or Brooklyn for a shorter trip.

Getting started: Launch from Berowra Waters marina or Brooklyn. No hire operators at the put-in, so BYO kayak.

Skill level: Intermediate. Tidal currents on the Hawkesbury can be strong. Time your paddle with the tide.

Edward River, Murray Valley National Park#

The Edward River canoe and kayak trail winds over 60 km through Murray Valley National and Regional Parks in southern NSW. It's a peaceful alternative to the busier Murray River, with camping spots scattered along the route.

You can break the trail into day sections or plan a multi-day expedition with overnight camping on the riverbanks. The water is slow-moving and shaded by river red gums, making it ideal for relaxed touring.

What makes it special: Over 60 km of mapped water trails with multiple entry and exit points. Perfect for a 3-5 day river camping trip.

Getting started: Access from Deniliquin. Check the NPWS Edward River trail page for maps and conditions.

Skill level: Beginner. Slow-moving river with no rapids.

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, Wollemi National Park#

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp isn't a traditional paddle-in campground, but it combines stunning kayak paddling with adjacent camping. The pagoda rock formations reflected in the still water create an almost surreal landscape.

The campground itself is drive-in, but bringing a kayak transforms the experience. Paddle through narrow channels between the pagoda rocks at dawn when the water is glassy and the light is golden.

What makes it special: The rock formations are unlike anything else in NSW. Guided paddling tours run through Southern Cross Kayaking if you want a local's perspective.

Getting started: Drive-in camping with kayak launch from the campground. About 3.5 hours from Sydney via Mudgee.

Skill level: Beginner. Sheltered waterway with no current.

Snowy River, Kosciuszko National Park#

For experienced paddlers, the Snowy River offers a genuine multi-day wilderness expedition through some of the most dramatic scenery in NSW. Guided 5-day trips run through Snowy River Expeditions, camping in the Byadbo Wilderness with Aboriginal guides who share cultural knowledge of the country.

This isn't a casual overnight paddle. The Snowy River trips involve whitewater sections, remote camping, and self-sufficiency. But for paddlers with the skills, it's the ultimate NSW kayak camping experience.

What makes it special: True wilderness paddling through remote gorge country with cultural tourism elements.

Getting started: Guided trips only (Snowy River Expeditions). Runs seasonally, typically October to April.

Skill level: Advanced. Whitewater experience required.

Planning your first kayak camping trip#

What to bring#

Pack light. Everything goes in the kayak, and top-heavy boats tip. Dry bags are non-negotiable.

Essentials:

• Waterproof dry bags for sleeping gear, clothes, and food
• Lightweight tent or bivvy
• Sleeping bag and mat (compact)
• Camp stove and one-pot meal supplies
• Water purification (tablets or filter) if camping away from treated water
• PFD (personal flotation device), always worn while paddling
• Headlamp and first aid kit
• Trip intention form left with your emergency contact

Leave behind:

• Heavy esky (use a soft cooler bag instead)
• Glass bottles
• Anything that doesn't fit in a dry bag

Safety and regulations#

Kayak camping in NSW national parks requires the same bookings and permits as any other camping. Book through the NSW National Parks website before you go.

Key rules:

• Wear a PFD at all times on the water
• Camp only in designated campgrounds or permitted areas
• Carry out all rubbish (remote campgrounds rarely have bins)
• Check weather forecasts. Wind can make open water dangerous, especially on lakes
• File a trip intention form and let someone know your route and expected return

Best time to go#

Autumn (March to May) is ideal for kayak camping in NSW. The water is still warm enough for swimming, the weather is mild, and school holiday crowds have cleared. Spring (September to November) is equally good, though afternoon winds tend to pick up.

Summer works for early-morning paddles, but heat and afternoon storms make mid-day paddling uncomfortable. Winter is fine for river trips (Edward River, Hawkesbury) where wind isn't a factor, though water temperatures drop.

Kayak camping near Sydney#

If you're short on time, these paddle-in spots are all within two hours of Sydney:

• Gentlemans Halt (Marramarra NP), 50 km from CBD, paddle from Berowra Waters
• Cowan Creek / Refuge Bay, sheltered Hawkesbury bays with clear water and rock formations
• The Basin (Ku-ring-gai Chase NP), while not paddle-in only, The Basin is a stunning campground accessible by kayak across Pittwater
• Cattai campground, riverside camping on the Hawkesbury with easy kayak launch, only 45 minutes from the city

These campgrounds are popular and sell out, especially on weekends. Set up a free CampWatch alert for your preferred dates and you'll get a text the moment a cancellation opens up a spot.

Get on the water#

Kayak camping opens up a side of NSW most people never see. The quiet gorges, the secluded riverside campsites, the feeling of arriving somewhere under your own power.

Start with Lake Yarrunga in Kangaroo Valley. It's beginner-friendly, the scenery is spectacular, and hire operators handle the logistics. Once you've done one overnight paddle, you'll be planning the next.

If a campground along the way is booked out, set up a CampWatch alert to catch a cancellation. It's free, takes 30 seconds, and means you won't miss a spot when plans change.