Aragunnu campground

Aragunnu campground is the standout drive-in beach camp in Mimosa Rocks National Park on the NSW Sapphire Coast. Thirty marked sites just back from a beach that's famous for its dramatic standing rocks, with snorkelling, fishing, and an Aboriginal-heritage walk all within ten minutes of camp. It's quieter and less developed than the popular Bermagui camping options nearby, with that proper-South-Coast feel of being properly away from things.

Getting there#

Address: Aragunnu Road, Wapengo, NSW 2550.

Drive options:

• From Bermagui (~25 km, 30 minutes north) — south on Bermagui Road, then turn east onto Aragunnu Road. The final 5 km is unsealed but well-maintained — fine for 2WD in dry conditions.
• From Tathra (~25 km, 30 minutes south) — north on the Tathra–Bermagui Road, then east onto Aragunnu Road.
• From Bega (~35 km, 45 minutes inland) — east via Tathra Road to the coast, then north to Aragunnu Road.
• From Sydney (~6 hours, ~470 km) — Princes Highway south through Bega; the last hour winds through the South Coast hinterland.
• From Canberra (~3.5 hours, ~250 km) — Monaro Highway to Cooma, then Snowy Mountains Highway and Princes Highway to Bega.

The unsealed final stretch becomes rough after heavy rain. Mobile reception is patchy; download offline maps before you turn off the highway.

Sites and facilities#

30 unpowered marked sites split across four distinct camping areas: sites tucked into untamed coastal scrub just 50 metres from the beach, an open grassy area shaded by tall coastal mahogany, and an elevated section to the west of the beach. One vehicle per site; suitable for tents, camper trailers, and camping beside your vehicle.

Check-in is from 2pm; check-out is before 10am. Bookings cover up to 12 people or 2 sites online.

On site:

• Toilets
• Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
• Picnic tables
• Carpark with one-vehicle-per-site limit

Bring with you:

• All drinking and cooking water — no tap water on site
• Firewood from licensed sellers (collecting is prohibited)
• Fuel stove as backup for fire-restriction days
• Snorkel gear for the rocky reef
• Insect repellent — march flies are real in summer

Dogs are not permitted in Mimosa Rocks National Park.

Nearest town and supplies#

• Bermagui (~25 km, 30 minutes north) — the nearest proper supply town. IGA supermarket, fuel, bottle shop, fishing tackle, multiple cafes, and the Bermagui Fishermen's Wharf for fresh seafood.
• Tathra (~25 km, 30 minutes south) — small coastal town with an IGA, fuel, surf shop, cafes, and the iconic Tathra Wharf.
• Bega (~35 km, 45 minutes inland) — the regional centre with major supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles), hardware, banks, hospital. The right place for a real shop coming from Canberra or Sydney.
• Cobargo (~35 km, 40 minutes north-west) — small heritage village with a bakery and pub.

The pragmatic plan: do a full shop in Bega or Bermagui before turning toward the coast. Once on Aragunnu Road, the next supplies trip is at least an hour round-trip.

What to do at Aragunnu#

• Aragunnu Beach — the main draw. The rocky outcrops along the beach create a unique landscape and good shelter for swimming. The standing stones are a photographer's favourite.
• Mimosa Rocks walk — a 10-minute walk from camp passes a registered Aboriginal site (a midden and cultural site of the Yuin people) before reaching a clifftop lookout over the rocks themselves.
• Snorkelling — the rocky reef around the Mimosa Rocks holds wrasse, leatherjackets, octopus, and seasonal sea dragons. Best in calm weather and at high tide.
• Surfing — the beach picks up swell well; both ends of Aragunnu produce decent left-handers.
• Fishing — both beach and rock fishing are productive. Salmon, tailor, bream, and snapper from the rocks. NSW recreational fishing licence required.
• Birdwatching — sea-eagles, oystercatchers, gannets offshore in winter, and the forest behind camp holds a strong songbird population.
• Day trips — Bermagui's Blue Pool natural ocean swimming pool is 30 minutes north; Mystery Bay's tessellated rocks are 45 minutes north; Tathra Wharf 30 minutes south.

Best time to visit#

• Autumn (March–May) is the sweet spot — water still warm enough to swim and snorkel, weather stable, fewer crowds after Easter.
• Spring (September–November) is excellent for whale watching offshore (humpbacks heading north September–November) and warming up beach conditions.
• Summer (December–February) is peak season — water at its warmest, longest days, hardest to book. School-holiday weeks are brutal.
• Winter (June–August) is quieter, cooler, and surprisingly good for fishing. Mid-winter brings southern right whales close to shore.

The South Coast averages 24°C summer / 7–15°C winter. Rainfall peaks in January (89mm avg). The driest months are April, May, October, and November.

Camping fees#

Camping is around $20–$30 per site per night for two adults plus extras. Mimosa Rocks National Park does not charge a vehicle entry fee — you only pay the camping fee.

Confirm current pricing on the official NPWS Aragunnu page when you book.

Can't get a booking?#

Aragunnu's school-holiday weeks and long weekends sell out months in advance. Cancellations come up regularly — especially when South Coast weather forecasts shift in the week before.

Set up a free CampWatch alert and we'll text you the moment an Aragunnu site opens up. No app, no account — just your phone number.