Sandy Beach campground guide: riverside camping on the Murrumbidgee

Sandy Beach campground sits on the north bank of the Murrumbidgee River at Wantabadgery, about 44 kilometres east of Wagga Wagga. It's a free, council-managed reserve with a public boat ramp, fire pits, and enough space for everything from solo tents to long caravans. The campground is split into upper and lower sections across a large grassy flat, shaded by river red gums that hang over the water. If you're after a no-fuss riverside camp in the Riverina with decent fishing and zero fees, Sandy Beach campground delivers.

Why Sandy Beach campground stands out#

The Murrumbidgee River corridor between Wagga Wagga and Gundagai has dozens of camping spots, but most are little more than a cleared patch of dirt beside the water. Sandy Beach is different. The reserve is well maintained, with mown grass, a large undercover shelter with picnic tables, free gas barbecues, and a proper boat ramp.

The setting is what keeps people coming back. The river bends around a sandy beach (the campground earns its name honestly), creating a calm stretch for swimming and a natural fishing hole on the deeper outside bend.

The wildlife alone is worth the drive. Sulphur-crested cockatoos fill the canopy during the day. At dusk, kangaroos, wallabies, and emus wander down to the river to drink. Wedge-tailed eagles cruise overhead.

For a free campground, the level of amenity here is unusually good. The gas barbecues alone set it apart from most free spots along the Murrumbidgee.

Getting to Sandy Beach campground#

Sandy Beach Reserve is at 836 River Road, Wantabadgery NSW 2650. The GPS coordinates are -35.069, 147.740.

From Wagga Wagga (44 km, about 40 minutes): Head east on the Sturt Highway towards Gundagai. Turn right onto Wantabadgery Road and follow it through the village of Wantabadgery. Continue to River Road and follow the signs to Sandy Beach Reserve. The final 200 metres is a dirt side road leading down to the campground.

From Gundagai (about 50 km, 45 minutes): Head west on the Sturt Highway. Turn left onto Wantabadgery Road and follow the same route through Wantabadgery to River Road.

From Canberra (about 130 km, just over 2 hours): Take the Barton Highway and Hume Highway west to Gundagai, then follow the directions above.

Road conditions: The main roads are sealed. The short access track down to the campground is unsealed dirt, manageable in a 2WD when dry. After heavy rain it can get boggy, so check conditions before heading down. The campground itself is flat grass, so pegging and parking aren't a problem.

Sandy Beach campground at a glance#

Detail	Info
Location	836 River Road, Wantabadgery NSW 2650
Nearest town	Wagga Wagga (44 km)
Cost	Free, no booking required
Toilets	Drop toilets
Drinking water	No (BYO)
Fires	Yes, fire pits provided (BYO firewood)
Pets	Yes
Mobile reception	Very limited to none
Vehicle access	2WD in dry conditions
Boat ramp	Yes

Sandy Beach campground facilities#

Sandy Beach is a basic campground, but "basic" is relative. Compared to most free riverside camps in the Riverina, it's well equipped.

What's there:

• Drop toilets (basic but functional)
• Large undercover picnic shelter with tables
• Free gas barbecues
• Fire pits (BYO firewood)
• Public boat ramp
• Non-potable water
• Flat grassy sites for tents, caravans, camper trailers, and motorhomes
• Long rig access (large vehicles can navigate the reserve)

What's not there:

• No drinking water (bring all your own)
• No powered sites
• No showers
• No rubbish bins (carry everything out)
• No phone reception (limited to no mobile signal)

The campground's divided into an upper section and a lower section closer to the river. The lower sites have better water access and shade, but the upper area is flatter and better for larger rigs. Sites aren't allocated, so you pick your own spot on arrival.

Pets: Dogs are welcome at Sandy Beach Reserve, which sets it apart from most national park campgrounds along the Murrumbidgee. Keep them under control and clean up after them.

Fees: Free. No booking required. No fees at all. Just turn up and find a spot.

Fishing at Sandy Beach campground#

The Murrumbidgee River through the Wantabadgery stretch is one of the better inland fishing spots in southern NSW. The river here runs deep enough to hold good fish, with a mix of deep pools, riffles, and sandy shallows.

What you can catch:

• Murray cod (catch-and-release in some seasons; check current regulations)
• Golden perch (yellowbelly)
• Silver perch
• Carp (no size or bag limits)
• Redfin

The boat ramp makes it easy to launch a tinny and explore upstream or downstream. Bank fishing from the sandy beach and the deeper bends on either side of the campground is productive, particularly early morning and late afternoon.

Bait fishing with scrub worms, yabbies, or shrimp works well for yellowbelly. Lure anglers do well with spinnerbaits and hard-body lures along the snaggy timber edges.

You need a current NSW recreational fishing licence. You can buy one online at the DPI website or from most tackle shops in Wagga Wagga.

The river current can be strong, particularly after rain upstream. If you're fishing from a boat, keep an eye on snags and submerged timber.

Swimming and water activities#

The sandy beach that gives the campground its name is a popular swimming spot. The section directly in front of the campground is relatively calm, with a gentle entry that suits families with younger children.

A few things to keep in mind. The Murrumbidgee can flow swiftly, especially after rain or during higher water levels. Stick to the shallower sections near the beach and don't swim out into the main current. There are no lifeguards, no roped areas, and no safety equipment, so supervise children at all times.

Kayaking and canoeing: The river's excellent for paddling in both directions from the campground. The current gives you an easy downstream drift, but factor in the return paddle against the flow. Mornings are best. Bring your own kayak or canoe.

Boating: The public boat ramp handles small to medium boats. The ramp is in reasonable condition and provides easy launching into the main channel.

Best time to visit Sandy Beach campground#

Sandy Beach is a year-round camping destination, but each season has its trade-offs.

Autumn (March to May): The best time. Warm days, cool nights, fewer flies, and the river red gums start to glow in the late afternoon light. Easter and Anzac Day long weekends can get busy.

Winter (June to August): Cold nights (Wagga Wagga regularly drops below zero), but clear days and almost no one else around. Campfires are essential. Fog on the river in the morning is genuinely beautiful.

Spring (September to November): Wildflowers, active birdlife, and pleasant temperatures. The river can run higher from spring rain, so check conditions. Mosquitoes pick up as it warms.

Summer (December to February): Hot. Wagga regularly hits 35 to 40 degrees, and the river is your only relief. Flies and mosquitoes can be intense. The sandy beach and swimming make it bearable, but grab a shady spot under the river red gums early.

Long weekends and school holidays are the busiest periods. The campground has plenty of space, but the best riverside spots go quickly. Arrive Thursday or early Friday if you want prime position.

Tips for riverside camping at Sandy Beach#

Camping beside a river is different from a standard campground. A few things will make your Sandy Beach trip more comfortable.

Water supply: Bring at least 5 litres of drinking water per person per day. The non-potable water at the campground can be used for washing dishes or dousing campfires, but don't drink it. The nearest shops for restocking are in Wagga Wagga, 44 kilometres away.

Firewood: Bring your own. Collecting firewood from within the reserve strips the habitat that native animals depend on. A bag or two from a servo on the way through Wagga will sort you out. Don't bring a chainsaw.

Flies and mosquitoes: The Riverina is fly country in warmer months. Pack a good fly net for your hat, insect repellent with DEET, and mosquito coils for the evening. A screened annexe or fly-proof shelter makes mealtimes much more pleasant from October through March.

River safety: The Murrumbidgee isn't a swimming pool. Currents are deceptive, submerged branches can trap swimmers, and water levels can change quickly after upstream rain. Don't swim alone, and keep children within arm's reach in the water.

Leave no trace: No bins. Everything you bring in, you take out, including food scraps, cigarette butts, and broken camp gear. The campground stays clean because campers look after it.

Phone reception: Essentially non-existent. Download offline maps before you leave home. You might get a faint signal on the higher ground behind the upper camping area, but don't count on it.

Nearby attractions and day trips#

Sandy Beach makes a good base for exploring the Wantabadgery district and the broader Riverina.

Wagga Wagga (44 km): The largest inland city in NSW, with supermarkets, fuel, pubs, and the excellent Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens. The Wagga Beach on the Murrumbidgee (in town) is worth a visit for comparison. The city also has the National Art Glass Gallery and a strong food scene.

Wantabadgery Station: The historic pastoral property near the campground has a connection to bushranger Captain Moonlite, who held up the station in 1879. The area has a quiet pastoral charm that hasn't changed much since.

Gundagai (50 km): Home to the Dog on the Tuckerbox monument, the historic Prince Alfred Bridge (the longest surviving wooden bridge in Australia), and a handful of cafes worth stopping at.

Other Murrumbidgee camping spots: The river has dozens of free camping reserves between Wagga and Gundagai. If Sandy Beach is full, try Mundarlo Reserve or Eurolie Reserve, both within a short drive along the river corridor.

A proper Riverina river camp#

Sandy Beach campground doesn't try to be anything fancy. No glamping tents, no camp kitchens with USB chargers, no curated "experiences." What you get is a big grassy flat beside one of Australia's great rivers, with a sandy beach, good fishing, free barbecues, and the sound of cockatoos instead of traffic.

The fact that it's free, pet-friendly, and accessible without a 4WD makes it one of the most welcoming camping spots in the Riverina. Whether you're passing through on the highway or planning a long weekend of fishing, Sandy Beach earns its place on your list.

Popular campgrounds along the Murrumbidgee fill up fast, especially over long weekends. If your preferred spot is taken, set up a free CampWatch alert and we'll send you an SMS the moment a site becomes available. Cancellations happen regularly, and at a campground this good, you'll want to be first in line.