Crowdy Gap campground

Crowdy Gap campground is a small coastal campground behind the dunes at the southern end of Crowdy Bay National Park. There are 10 marked, unpowered sites on the former dairy-farm clearing. Most suit tents; only a limited number accommodate camper trailers, campervans and caravans shorter than 4.6m (15ft).

The beach setting comes with a practical distinction: you do not camp directly on the sand. Crowdy Beach is reached on foot through rainforest and dunes. The campground has toilets, shelters and a cold rinse shower, but no drinking water.

Sites and vehicle limits#

The official campground page caps each site at six guests, two vehicles and one caravan or camper trailer. Parking is beside the campsite, with only limited overflow parking.

Check the equipment restriction before booking. A generic “caravan” label does not mean every site fits a large rig. Most sites are intended for tents, and the official limit for the small number of caravan sites is under 4.6m.

Facilities and what to bring#

The visitor information lists:

• non-flush toilets
• marked, unpowered sites
• free gas or electric barbecues
• picnic tables with shelters
• an outdoor cold-water beach shower
• some mobile service, but no public phone

There is no drinking water anywhere in the park. Bring enough drinking and cooking water, a fuel stove, rubbish bags and sun protection. NPWS encourages campers to take rubbish home. Food and supplies are available in Harrington, about 7km away, but that is not a substitute for arriving prepared.

Best road approach#

Three unsealed-road approaches are published, from Harrington, Moorland and Laurieton. The current alerts page, reviewed 8 September 2026, recommends reaching Crowdy Gap from the southern entrance via Harrington to minimise gravel driving.

The roads are normally open to 2WD vehicles, but grading and wet weather change conditions. Recheck the alert immediately before travel rather than assuming an older route recommendation still applies.

Fires and campground rules#

The campground's deteriorated fire pits have been removed. Fires must be contained in your own elevated firepit or brazier; fires on the ground are prohibited. Bring your own firewood because collecting it in the park is prohibited. Firewood and brazier hire may be available from the Diamond Head campground office, subject to opening and stock.

Generators, amplified music, chemical toilets and pets are prohibited. Noise restrictions apply after 10pm. A separate park entry fee is payable as well as the camping booking.

Beach safety#

Crowdy Beach is unpatrolled and can have strong rips. NPWS says the nearest summer-patrolled option is beside Crowdy Head Surf Life Saving Club, around 2km south of the campground. Treat the short walk to the beach as access, not a statement that swimming conditions are safe.

What campers say#

Two public campground videos — a site walk-through and a second campground overview — add useful visual context. Their practical themes are:

• the campground is compact and open, so neighbouring sites can feel close when all 10 are occupied
• tent sites dominate; van travellers need to match their exact dimensions to the limited vehicle-based sites
• the beach is a several-minute walk rather than a step straight from camp
• the cold outdoor shower is useful for rinsing sand, not a hot enclosed amenity

These videos do not establish a broad consensus about cleanliness, crowds or road condition. Current NPWS information controls where older videos differ.

Booking Crowdy Gap campground#

Check-in is 2pm and check-out is 10am. Book through NSW National Parks and use the live booking flow for current camping prices. Online bookings cover up to 20 people or five sites; larger groups must enquire.

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