Bristol Point campground

Bristol Point is the quietest of Booderee National Park's three camping areas, tucked into mature bushland a little apart from the busier beachfront camps. Every site is walk-in, the larger ones are made for groups, and the trees give it a settled, away-from-it-all feel. If Green Patch is the family beach camp, Bristol Point is where you go for space and quiet.

Booderee is owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and jointly managed with Parks Australia, so camping here comes with a strong sense of Country.

Getting there#

Booderee National Park is at Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast, between Nowra and Ulladulla and about a three-hour drive from Sydney or Canberra. Bristol Point is signposted within the park.

A vehicle entry fee applies to enter Booderee — check the Parks Australia booking site for the current rate. If you've booked online you can head straight to the camping area without stopping at the visitor centre; just bring your confirmation.

Nearest supplies: Huskisson and Vincentia, a short drive north, have the closest shops and fuel. There are no shops inside the park.

Sites and facilities#

Bristol Point has around 20 walk-in sites set among the bush, in Standard and Large sizes — the Large sites suit bigger groups. It's not suitable for caravans or camper trailers. Parking is no more than about 20 metres from the sites, so the carry-in is short.

On site:

• Fresh drinking water
• Toilets
• Hot and cold showers
• Wood fireplaces and barbecues

Bring a gas stove or barbecue as a backup — wood fires can't be used on total fire ban days, and generators aren't permitted anywhere in the park.

Camping fees#

Booderee charges a per-night camping fee that varies by season, plus the park vehicle-entry fee. Rates aren't published on the information pages, so confirm the current price in the Booderee booking site when you reserve. Stays can be up to 21 consecutive days (14 over the summer holidays).

Booking and the summer ballot#

Bristol Point is booked online and sites are allocated automatically. Weekend dates from spring through autumn book out well ahead.

Camping over the summer school holidays is allocated by a ballot run through the Booderee Visitor Centre, with entries usually opening about three months beforehand rather than online first-come, first-served. For changes or cancellations, contact the visitor centre on 1800 357 823.

Best time to visit#

• Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are ideal — mild, swimmable, and easier to book than peak summer.
• Summer (December–February) is the busiest and hardest to secure, with the holiday ballot in play.
• Winter (June–August) is cool and very quiet — bring warm bedding and you'll likely have the bush to yourself.

Things to do#

• Beaches — the calm bay beaches around Green Patch and Murrays Beach are a short drive away, with some of the clearest water in the country.
• Booderee Botanic Gardens — Australia's only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens.
• Bushwalking — the Munyungawaraga Dhugan Trail (about 5.5 km) is a self-guided cultural and nature walk.
• Cape St George Lighthouse — sandstone ruins from 1860 with dramatic cliff-coast views.
• Fishing and boating — line fishing only, with marine sanctuary zones to note.

Pets#

Pets aren't permitted at Bristol Point or anywhere in Booderee National Park. Certified assistance animals are the only exception.

Nearby alternatives#

If Bristol Point is sold out, the park's other two camping areas are worth a look:

• Green Patch campground — beachside, drive-in or walk-in, great for families
• Cave Beach campground — grassy, carry-in, beside a surf beach

Can't get a booking?#

Bristol Point's group-friendly sites are in high demand on weekends and holidays, but cancellations come up regularly — often in the weeks before a busy date.

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