Picnic Point campground

Picnic Point campground occupies a banksia-fringed headland between two sandy beaches in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Its 17 marked sites put fishing, swimming and coastal views close to camp, while non-flush toilets and picnic tables cover only the basics.

Sites and vehicle fit#

NSW National Parks lists tent and camper-trailer camping beside your vehicle. The access road, picnic areas and campground are not suitable for large vehicles, including caravans, motorhomes and buses. That warning is more useful than relying on a generic vehicle tag from an older directory.

There is a limit of one vehicle per campsite. Parking is beside the site or on hard-packed campground carparks. Review the official Picnic Point page and the campground layout before choosing a setup.

The campground can be busy during holiday periods. NPWS also limits stays to two weeks during school holidays and four weeks at other times. Book the right site for the whole setup rather than assuming unused space can hold an extra vehicle.

Study the official layout before booking if tent size, shade or proximity to facilities matters. The published photographs show meaningful differences between sites, but they do not support a universal “best site.” Choose for your own shelter and access needs, then keep tents and guy lines within the marked allocation.

Getting there#

Picnic Point is at the end of Wapengo Lake Road, off the Tathra–Bermagui Road. The final approach is unsealed and includes a private-road gate; leave the gate as you found it. NPWS classifies the route as 2WD and all-weather, but warns that park roads can become boggy after rain.

Check local alerts before travelling. “All-weather” does not override a closure or make the road suitable for an oversized vehicle.

Water, fires and facilities#

No water is supplied, so carry drinking and cooking water from home. Firewood cannot be collected in the park. Bring your own if you plan to use a fireplace and current fire rules allow it; fireplaces are available at some sites, not every site. A fuel stove is the reliable cooking option during restrictions.

Facilities include non-flush toilets, marked unpowered sites, picnic tables and carparks. Pack out all rubbish and keep food secure from wildlife. The coastal setting can bring salt, wind and damp air, so strong pegs, a groundsheet and a dry storage plan are useful even in a fair forecast.

Beach access and activities#

Two beaches sit close to camp, making the point attractive for beach fishing, swimming and short coastal walks. Ocean conditions can change quickly and the campground page does not imply patrols. Check local conditions, supervise children and choose a conservative entry point.

The campground is mostly flat and step-free, but there are no formed paths between all facilities. An ambulant toilet, resting benches and one accessible picnic table improve access across the grass and hard-packed ground. Beach access trails include up to 25 steps, so the shoreline is less accessible than the campground itself.

Spring can bring whale-watching opportunities from park headlands, while winter-flowering banksias attract birds. Keep food and fishing waste contained to avoid drawing wildlife into sites.

What campers say#

Legitimately accessible campground-specific reviews are sparse. Public listings such as Camptoo repeat the beach setting but do not provide enough independent, current reports to support claims about the quietest sites, mobile reception or amenity queues. The official layout and access notes are the safer basis for site selection.

Booking checklist#

Confirm that your vehicle fits the published restriction, book one of the 17 sites and download the layout before coverage becomes uncertain. Bring water, cooking gear, firewood only if appropriate, and a plan for rubbish. If the dates you need are full, CampWatch can watch for a cancellation; still verify NPWS alerts and fire conditions before departure.