Green Patch campground

Green Patch is the best known of Booderee National Park's three camping areas, and for a lot of families it's the introduction to Jervis Bay camping. The sites sit back in the trees a short walk from a sheltered, white-sand beach where the water is calm and clear enough for small kids, and kangaroos, king parrots and goannas wander through camp morning and evening. It's relaxed, green, and close to the water — which is exactly why it books out.

Booderee is unusual among national parks: it's owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and jointly managed with Parks Australia, so a stay 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. Green Patch is signposted inside the park, a short drive past the entry station and visitor centre.

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

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

Sites and facilities#

Green Patch has around 80 individual sites spread through the bush behind the beach. Sites come in Standard and Large sizes, with a choice of drive-in or walk-in, so it works for everything from a one-tent weekend to a caravan.

On site:

• Fresh drinking water
• Toilets and hot-water showers
• Baby-change facilities
• Dishwashing and recycling facilities
• Picnic tables
• Wood barbecues and sheltered electric barbecues

It's worth bringing your own gas barbecue or stove as a backup — wood barbecues can't be used on total fire ban days. Sites are allocated automatically when you book, so you can't choose a specific spot.

Camping fees#

Booderee charges a per-night camping fee that varies by season, plus the park vehicle-entry fee. Rates aren't shown on the park's information pages, so confirm the current price in the Booderee booking site when you reserve. Bookings can be for a maximum of 21 consecutive days (14 days over the summer holiday period).

Booking and the summer ballot#

Green Patch is booked online and sites are allocated automatically. Weekend sites from October to May generally sell out more than a month ahead, so book early.

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

Best time to visit#

• Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are the sweet spot — warm enough to swim, mild nights, and quieter than peak summer.
• Summer (December–February) is glorious by the water but the busiest and hardest to book, with the holiday ballot in play.
• Winter (June–August) is cool and peaceful — bring warm bedding, but you'll have the beaches close to yourself.

Things to do#

• Swimming and snorkelling — the calm bay beaches from Green Patch round to Murrays Beach are some of the clearest water in the country.
• Booderee Botanic Gardens — Australia's only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens, showcasing coastal plants and traditional foods and medicines.
• Bushwalking — the Munyungawaraga Dhugan Trail (about 5.5 km) is a self-guided walk through Booderee's natural and cultural heritage.
• Cape St George Lighthouse — the sandstone ruins of the 1860 lighthouse, with sweeping cliff-coast views.
• Fishing and boating — line fishing only, with marine sanctuary zones to be aware of.
• Ranger activities — guided family activities often run during NSW school holidays.

Pets#

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

Nearby alternatives#

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

• Bristol Point campground — quieter, walk-in, good for groups
• Cave Beach campground — grassy, carry-in, beside a surf beach

Can't get a booking?#

Green Patch is one of the most in-demand campgrounds on the NSW south coast — peak and weekend dates disappear fast, but cancellations come up regularly, especially in the weeks before a busy period.

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