Cod Hole campground and picnic area

Cod Hole campground and picnic area is a six-site tent campground beside the Nymboida River in Nymboi-Binderay National Park. Its appeal is direct river access, forest shade and a genuinely remote setting. The trade-off is serious: access is by unsealed roads that NSW National Parks classifies as 4WD, water is not available, phone reception is limited and help is a long way away.

The campground suits self-contained tent campers who are comfortable with remote-road and river conditions. Despite older descriptions elsewhere, the current official listing does not include caravan or camper-trailer sites.

Sites and river setting#

All six sites are marked and unpowered. NPWS lists tent camping and notes that campers should not mind a short walk to their tent. Parking, picnic tables, a boat ramp and the river are nearby, but this is not vehicle-side touring accommodation.

The Nymboida River is the reason to come. Calm conditions can suit swimming, while the wider river system is known for whitewater. NPWS says only experienced canoeists should attempt whitewater sections. River depth, current and submerged hazards can change after rain, so an attractive pool is not an automatic green light.

Anglers need a current NSW recreational fishing licence. Endangered eastern freshwater cod must be released if caught.

Facilities and what to bring#

Facilities comprise non-flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, a boat ramp and a carpark. There are no powered sites and no water. Bring every litre needed for drinking, cooking and washing, plus a fuel stove, first-aid supplies, rubbish bags and offline navigation.

Bring your own firewood; gathering firewood is prohibited. Fire rings are not permission to light a fire during restrictions or a total fire ban. Secure food and rubbish because wildlife visits the area, and remove everything when you leave.

Mobile reception is limited. Save the official visitor information, campground layout and emergency details before entering the park.

Getting there and road conditions#

From Dorrigo, one route follows Tyringham Road, Moonpar Forest Drive for about 24km, then Moses Rock Road and Cod Hole Road. An alternative uses Megan Road through Cascade before joining Moses Rock Road.

Both approaches involve unsealed remote roads. NPWS states that all access roads require 4WD, are unsuitable for caravans and can quickly become boggy after significant rain. Check weather and closures before departure; a booking does not guarantee that access will remain safe.

The official local-alerts page showed no current alerts for Cod Hole when reviewed on 11 September 2026. Nearby alerts shown on that page are not automatically closures of this campground.

What campers say#

Accessible traveller material is sparse, so this is a small set of observations, not review consensus. A 4WD touring video focused on Cod Hole and a separate camping visit on the Nymboida River point to the same broad themes:

• The river and remote fishing atmosphere dominate the experience; there is little reason to choose Cod Hole for conventional campground facilities.
• A cool, shaded riverside camp can still involve variable river and road conditions, especially after rain.
• The small site count makes the place feel intimate, but it leaves little flexibility if a particular tent position does not suit.
• Campers arrive with capable vehicles and self-contained supplies rather than treating the final road as an ordinary gravel approach.

These videos are useful for orientation only. Follow NPWS, not traveller footage, for vehicle requirements, closures and river safety.

Booking Cod Hole campground#

Use the official NSW National Parks listing to check availability and book. One online booking can cover up to 10 people or two sites. Confirm the current camping price and conditions during checkout rather than relying on an older third-party figure.

If your preferred dates are unavailable, CampWatch can monitor supported dates for a cancellation.