McIntyres campground

McIntyres campground is an unmarked, unpowered tent camp beside the Goodradigbee River in Brindabella National Park. The riverside setting is appealing, but reaching it is a serious high-clearance 4WD undertaking. It is not a caravan or camper-trailer campground.

Campsites and basic facilities#

Camping is beside your vehicle on unmarked sites around the riverside clearing. Toilets are the only facility listed by NSW National Parks. Bring all drinking and cooking water, food, lighting, power and weather protection, and leave enough margin for a delayed exit.

Bookings are required. The official McIntyres listing currently states that camping has no site fee but a $6 booking fee applies. Online bookings cover up to 20 people or five sites; larger groups must enquire separately. Confirm the live amount and conditions before paying because fees can change.

High-clearance 4WD access only#

NSW National Parks requires a high-clearance 4WD with low range, off-road tyres and an experienced driver. The route includes steep gradients, loose surfaces and limited traction in both wet and dry conditions. Trailers are explicitly unsuitable. Remove caravan and camper-trailer plans from the itinerary rather than hoping dry weather will make the track acceptable.

Recovery can be difficult and expensive, and the road may close at short notice. Check visitor information and local alerts immediately before departure. Brindabella National Park is generally open, but fire, flooding, fallen trees or track damage can change access quickly.

Remote-area safety and rules#

Mobile reception is very limited or absent. Download offline maps, submit a trip intention, give a reliable contact the route and return time, and consider carrying a personal locator beacon. Alpine weather can change rapidly, so pack for cold, heat and rain rather than the forecast alone.

The river is an attraction, not a supplied water service. NSW National Parks says treated water is unavailable and advises boiling water taken from the Goodradigbee; carrying potable water avoids depending on river level or treatment. There are no rubbish bins, so reserve vehicle space to take every item out again.

Pets are prohibited. A current park alert also covers 1080 baiting in parts of Brindabella from 1 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, which reinforces the need to obey signs and never bring dogs. For any campfire, follow the live park and fire-authority restrictions, bring an appropriate cooking backup and never collect habitat wood unless the official listing expressly allows it.

What campers say#

Public campground-specific feedback is sparse and older, so it supports only cautious, enduring observations. An independent McIntyres trip account and two public Anycamp reviews broadly align with the official warning:

• The large riverside clearing and separation from busy roads are the strongest attractions.
• The descent includes steep clay and loose sections; travellers repeatedly frame it as genuine 4WD terrain.
• Wet conditions can turn a difficult approach into a recovery problem, so postponing is sometimes the sound decision.
• Campers value the solitude and river setting when lightly occupied.
• Reception cannot be relied on for navigation or help.

These reports do not establish current track condition, fire rules or whether a gate is open. Only NSW National Parks alerts and on-ground closures should guide the trip. There is not enough recent evidence to make a reliable claim about toilet servicing, fishing success or peak-period crowding.

Winter lows can fall well below freezing, while summer heat and fire weather create a different risk. A capable vehicle does not compensate for poor timing: turn around if the track, forecast or driver's confidence no longer supports a safe return climb.

Booking McIntyres campground#

Reserve through the NSW National Parks page, then make access readiness—not the booking—the final go/no-go test. Recheck weather, road alerts and the vehicle before leaving reception.

If the campground allocation is full, CampWatch can monitor supported dates for a cancellation while you compare Coree, Lowells Flat and other Brindabella alternatives with their own access requirements.