The Basin campground

The Basin is the only campground in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and one of the most sought-after camps near Sydney. It sits on the shore of Pittwater with a sheltered swimming beach on one side and a calm inland lagoon on the other, 114 unmarked sites under the trees, and resident wallabies that will wander straight into an open tent. There's no road in — you arrive by ferry from Palm Beach or walk the Basin Trail — which is exactly why a campground 45 minutes from the city can still feel properly remote.

Getting there#

No car access. The campground is reached by water or on foot.

• Ferry from Palm Beach Wharf (easiest) — the Palm Beach Ferry runs hourly on the hour, roughly 9am to 5pm, and takes about 20 minutes. Return fares are around $16–17 per adult. Best option if you're carrying heavy gear.
• Walk in via the Basin Trail — a steep 2.8 km track (about 45 minutes) from the West Head Road carpark.
• Water taxi or private boat — land at The Basin wharf.

If you drive into the park to use the West Head walk-in track, the $12 per vehicle per day park entry fee applies. There's no park entry fee if you ferry across from Palm Beach (you park outside the park).

Nearest supplies: Palm Beach, a short ferry ride away. There are no shops at The Basin — bring all your food.

Sites and facilities#

114 unmarked, unpowered sites spread across grassy flats behind the beach, sleeping up to 350 campers when full. Bring your own shade — tree cover is patchy in the open areas.

On site:

• Flush toilets and cold-water showers
• Drinking water
• Free gas/electric and wood barbecues
• Picnic tables and hand-wash laundry basins
• An on-site campground manager who sells ice, bait, solar water bags and some firewood at set times (9:45–10am and 2:45–3pm)

Check-in is from 10am and check-out is before 10am. Sites are unmarked, so arrive early on busy weekends to claim a good spot near the beach.

Camping fees#

The Basin uses per-person nightly pricing that climbs in peak periods. Recent peak rates have run around $40 per adult and $24 per child (5–15), with under-5s free, dropping off-peak; a two-person minimum applies. A $3 adult / $2 child landing fee is included in your camping fee.

Fees are subject to change and aren't shown on the park page — confirm the current rate in the NSW National Parks booking system when you book.

Best time to visit#

• Autumn (April–May) and spring (September–November) are the pick — mild days, warm enough water, and the lowest rainfall of the year. Easter, long weekends and school holidays still book out fast.
• Summer (December–February) is peak: warm swimming and long evenings, but it sells out months ahead, days get hot with limited shade, and jellyfish are possible.
• Winter (June–August) is the quiet season — cold nights need a warm sleeping bag, but it's peaceful, great for bushwalking, and migrating whales pass offshore.

April, May, September, October and November are the most comfortable months overall.

Things to do#

• Swimming — the sheltered Pittwater beach and the calm inland lagoon are both safe for young kids.
• Wildlife spotting — wallabies, goannas, bush turkeys, bandicoots and pelicans are all regulars around camp.
• Bushwalking — the Basin Trail and the wider Ku-ring-gai Chase track network start right from the campground.
• Fishing and kayaking — Pittwater is excellent for both; bring or hire a kayak from Palm Beach.
• Aboriginal heritage — the Basin Aboriginal engraving site, with figures carved into the sandstone, is a short walk from camp.

For more on the park's walks, wildlife and history, see our Ku-ring-gai Chase camping guide.

Tips from campers#

• Pack light and pack smart — every item is carried off the ferry or walked in 2.8 km.
• Zip your tent shut whenever you leave it; wallabies will help themselves to anything left open.
• Stingrays sometimes rest in the lagoon shallows — shuffle your feet when wading.
• Showers are cold only, so it's a bracing wash even in summer.
• Bring all your drinking water topped up, plus food — the manager sells supplies only at limited times.

Pets#

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted at The Basin or anywhere in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Nearby alternatives#

If The Basin is sold out, these other ferry- or boat-access and coastal NSW campgrounds are worth a look:

• Tallow Beach campground
• Bonnie Vale campground
• Little Beach campground
• Twin Beaches campground

Can't get a booking?#

The Basin is one of the most in-demand campgrounds in NSW — weekend, long-weekend and school-holiday dates disappear within hours of release, but cancellations come up regularly, especially 1–2 weeks out.

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