Sandon River campground occupies a sandy peninsula at the mouth of the Sandon River, with sheltered river water on one side and the ocean on the other. The 29-site layout is particularly appealing to anglers, paddlers and small-boat owners, but the remote road, water arrangements and rig limit deserve attention before booking.
Will Sandon River give you the trip you want?#
| Choose it for | Think twice if you need |
|---|---|
| A remote river-and-ocean setting, boat or paddle access, fishing and long coastal days | Drinking water, built-in showers, power, reliable road access after rain or high tide, a rig over 7.5m or easy overflow parking |
This is strongest for nature, freedom and a shared waterside routine: launch early, fish or paddle, then return to a simple camp. Avoid-regret planning matters more than comfort. The road, one-vehicle rule, limited trailer parking and non-potable tank water can turn a casual large-rig trip into the wrong holiday.
Sites, rig fit and parking#
The campground has 29 marked, unpowered sites for tents, camper trailers, campervans and caravans. NSW National Parks states that sites are not suitable for caravans or motorhomes over 7.5m. One tent-only site is reserved for walkers on the Yuraygir coastal walk.
One vehicle is permitted at each campsite and parking is directly in front of the site. Extra vehicle and boat parking is limited, which matters more here than at many coastal camps because the campground also has a boat ramp. Use the January 2023 official layout when coordinating a tow vehicle, trailer and boat.
Choosing the best site for your trip#
The layout supplies useful zone evidence even though it does not promise shade, privacy or views.
| Your priority | Shortlist and trade-off |
|---|---|
| Boat-ramp convenience | Sites 1–3 are at the northern boat-ramp end; expect more launch, trailer and early-morning movement |
| Shorter amenity trips | Sites 4–13 cluster nearest the mapped toilets, tap and picnic shelter; accept more shared-facility traffic |
| More separation from the ramp | Sites 20–28 run toward the southern end; the trade-off is a longer walk to the main facilities and proximity to mapped beach/4WD access points |
| Coastal-walk tent stop | Use the dedicated tent-only walker site shown by the facilities, not a medium vehicle site; verify it in the live booking flow |
| Medium rig | Match the site's stated dimensions and the 4.6m medium-site map category to the complete deployed setup; the overall 7.5m campground cap is not proof every site fits 7.5m |
None of these positions guarantees quiet or shelter. Check the live booking diagram, ask NPWS when trailer manoeuvring is marginal, and inspect the pad before unhitching.
Getting there and road conditions#
From Gulmarrad near Maclean, follow Brooms Head Road for about 17km, turn onto Sandon River Road just north of Brooms Head, then continue roughly 12.5km to camp. The final gravel road is open to 2WD vehicles but changes with weather and can become boggy; NSW National Parks warns it may not suit some caravans or vehicles at times.
A NSW Government coastal-hazard update says high tides can already make the access road impassable. That is a planning trigger, not a prediction for your date: check recent rain, tide timing and current alerts before the 12.5km gravel section. If uncertain, contact NPWS rather than assuming a dry-weather review applies.
Do not confuse the road-access campground with Sandon village on the southern side of the river. The village is reached by boat or by beach travel from Minnie Water, not by simply driving through the campground. North Sandon Beach allows 4WD access in designated areas, while vehicles are prohibited south of the signed beach-access point.
Check the official visitor information and local alerts shortly before departure.
What arrival actually feels like#
Stock up at Brooms Head before committing to the final gravel road. Drive that section slowly, then use the campground layout to reach the booked number without circulating a trailer through the wrong end. There is no published staffed reception or spare-vehicle holding area.
Before unhitching, confirm the site marker, rig footprint, exit angle and where the boat trailer will legally sit. Next locate the drinking water you brought, the non-potable tank tap, toilets and route to the boat ramp. If the booked pad or road is unsafe for the setup, do not improvise on another site—contact NPWS or retreat while turning space and daylight remain.
Facilities, water and fires#
Facilities include non-flush toilets, picnic tables, a lit picnic shelter with electric barbecues, wood barbecues, rubbish and recycling bins, a boat ramp and a coin-operated public phone. There is no power at the sites and no built-in shower.
Drinking water is not available. Tank water is provided only for general washing and camper-supplied showers, and is not safe to drink. Bring all drinking and cooking water. Firewood is neither supplied nor available for collection; roadside vendors along Brooms Head Road may sell it.
Fires are allowed only in designated wood barbecues or in your own brazier and remain subject to bans. Chemical toilets are prohibited, as are amplified music and pets other than certified assistance animals. Quiet hours apply from 10pm.
The adjacent beaches are unpatrolled and can have strong rips. Fishing requires a current NSW recreational fishing licence.
For families, the sheltered-looking river and ocean frontage are not a substitute for supervised, patrolled swimming: choose a currently patrolled beach elsewhere and stay between flags. The published campground information does not establish a continuous step-free route or accessible toilet, so campers with mobility needs should ask NPWS about the exact site-to-toilet surface before booking rather than inferring accessibility from the flat map.
What campers say#
Public comments specific to this NPWS campground are limited, with the clearest accessible reports dating from 2021–2023. CamperMate, Anycamp's regional summary, Campedia and an independent Camps Australia Wide account consistently emphasise:
- Riverfront positions and sunsets are the standout experiences, especially for fishing and paddling trips.
- Campers repeatedly warn that the corrugated gravel approach should be driven slowly; recent rain can change the trip substantially.
- Sites vary from medium to generous, but the official 7.5m limit remains the controlling rule for larger rigs.
- Toilets are basic and there are no showers; reports on cleanliness are generally positive but cannot predict conditions on arrival.
- The campground feels quiet and remote outside peak periods, while its boat access can create activity around the ramp.
These sources and a public road-condition discussion were rechecked on 30 September 2026. The recurring themes are the waterside setting and a corrugated approach; cleanliness, quiet and road passability remain stay-specific.
A worthwhile day from camp#
Use the boat ramp for a conservative Sandon River paddle or fishing outing: start into the easier conditions, keep the return leg within your party's ability and set a turnaround before tide or wind changes. Check Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and NSW fishing rules first; the campground's river-and-beach position does not make every collection or fishing method legal.
Through-walkers on the Yuraygir coastal walk face a real logistics decision here: Sandon village is across the river, and continuing south needs a pre-arranged boat transfer rather than an assumed crossing. A 2024 first-hand family account reported about 2hr45 from the village side to Minnie Water, but treat that as one party's time, not a schedule. Day campers should turn back on the road-access side unless the transfer and onward route are deliberately arranged.
Booking Sandon River campground#
Check-in is 2pm and check-out is 10am. The official booking page accepts online bookings for up to 12 people or two sites. Park entry is charged separately from camping fees, and Brooms Head, 12.5km away, is the nearest source of basic supplies.
If an appropriately sized site is sold out, CampWatch can monitor for a cancellation while you compare nearby Yuraygir campgrounds.
For easier group logistics and a larger campground choice, compare Illaroo campground; it gives coastal access without Sandon's river-crossing identity but still requires its own equipment and water checks. For a lake-and-headland setting with more site inventory, compare Lake Arragan and Red Cliff campgrounds. Neither removes unpatrolled-coast or national-park self-sufficiency constraints.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a caravan reach Sandon River campground?
Yes, but the gravel access road can become boggy and may not suit every vehicle or caravan. Sites are not suitable for motorhomes or caravans longer than 7.5m, and only one vehicle is allowed at each site.
Is drinking water available at Sandon River?
No drinking water is available. Tank water may be used for general washing or a BYO camp shower but is not safe to drink. Bring all drinking and cooking water.
Are there showers at Sandon River campground?
There are no built-in showers. The campground has non-flush toilets and tank water for general washing or a camper-provided shower.
Are fires allowed at Sandon River campground?
Fires are permitted only in designated wood barbecues or a camper's own brazier, subject to bans. Firewood cannot be collected in the park and is not supplied at camp.
Does Sandon River campground have a boat ramp?
Yes. A boat ramp provides river access, but extra vehicle and boat-trailer parking is limited. Check conditions and arrive with a parking plan.