Twin Beaches campground

Twin Beaches campground is boat-access only on the banks of Berowra Creek in Marramarra National Park, just 45 minutes from Sydney but feeling like another world. No roads in, no roads out. Two sandy beaches, fire rings, pit toilets, and the sound of black cockatoos overhead. Despite being less than 50 km from the CBD, there are no houses visible from the water, no roads within earshot, and no light pollution at night.

Getting there by boat#

There is no road access. The only way to reach Twin Beaches is by boat, kayak, or canoe via Berowra Creek.

Deerubbun Reserve boat ramp (Mooney Mooney): About 8.5 km upstream from the campground. Concrete ramp with multiple lanes, car/trailer parking, toilets, picnic tables. Good option from the Central Coast or M1.

Berowra Waters boat ramp: About 10 km downstream. More popular with Sydney-siders. Four concrete lanes, council car park next to the marina. Arrive early on weekends — fills quickly. Berowra Waters Boat Hire rents tinnies and small runabouts if you don't own a boat.

Paddling in by kayak#

The paddle from Berowra Waters is about 10 km (2-3 hours depending on tide and fitness). From Mooney Mooney, about 8.5 km downstream with the current.

Tides matter. Berowra Creek is tidal. Paddling against an incoming tide adds serious effort. Time your departure to paddle with the tide in both directions. Check BOM tide tables for the Hawkesbury. Waterproof dry bags are essential — spray from passing boats can soak your kit.

No mobile reception. Download the Emergency Plus app, carry a paper map or offline maps, and let someone know your route and return time.

The two beaches#

Twin Beaches North: Slightly smaller and more sheltered. Good for solo campers or couples wanting a quieter spot.

Twin Beaches South: Larger, more accessible at low tide, easier for landing kayaks or pulling up a tinnie.

Both have unmarked sites on the sandy flats behind each beach. Arrive before midday on weekends for the best position near the water.

Facilities#

• Pit toilets at both camping areas
• Fire rings at both beaches (campfires permitted when no total fire ban)
• Steel benches/tables at some sites
• Flat sandy camping areas for tents

Not provided: No drinking water (no taps, tanks, or safe streams). No rubbish bins (pack out everything). No firewood (BYO — collecting prohibited). No power. No wheelchair access.

Check the official page for current conditions.

Fees and booking#

Camping is free. A $6 booking fee applies through the NSW National Parks website. Maximum 15 people or 3 sites per booking. Larger groups contact Lane Cove National Park office on 02 8448 0400. Also bookable by phone: 1300 072 757 (7am-7pm daily).

Cancellation: 75% refund 31+ days before booking, 50% with less than 31 days notice (booking fee excluded).

What to pack#

• Water: At least 5-6 litres per person per day. No backup supply nearby
• Firewood: Pre-split and bundled for easy boat loading
• Dry bags/waterproof containers: You are arriving by water
• Insect repellent: Mosquitoes at dusk and dawn, especially in summer
• Headlamp and spare torch: No lights at all after dark
• Shade shelter/tarp: Limited natural shade on the beach flats
• NSW recreational fishing licence if you plan to fish
• First aid kit: Nearest medical help is a boat ride away

Things to do#

Fishing#

Berowra Creek holds bream, flathead, and occasional mulloway. Cast from the beach at dawn/dusk or paddle to deeper water around the points. Tidal — fish move with the water.

Swimming and paddling#

Calm, sheltered creek ideal for morning swims and kayaking. Cleanest water on an incoming tide. Watch for tidal current in narrow sections.

Bar Island#

Short paddle downstream. A 3.8-hectare island with heritage trail through ruins of St John's Anglican Church (1876, destroyed by storm 1887) and a historic cemetery with up to sixty burials. Great exploration for families.

Birdwatching#

Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, white-bellied sea eagles, kookaburras, honeyeaters, and waterbirds. Sea eagles regularly spotted circling over the creek. Best in the early morning.

Stargazing#

Zero light pollution. On clear autumn or winter nights, the Milky Way is visible overhead. One of the best stargazing spots within easy reach of Sydney.

Best time to visit#

Autumn (Mar-May): Best season. Warm water, easing mosquitoes, mild temperatures, thinning crowds. Autumn light on the sandstone cliffs is exceptional.

Spring (Sep-Nov): Wildflowers on the ridges, warming weather, lighter boat traffic.

Summer (Dec-Feb): Peak. Best swimming and paddling. More boats, hotter conditions, more mosquitoes. Book well in advance.

Winter (Jun-Aug): Cold but beautiful. Single-digit nights, water too cold for most swimming. Campfires, solitude, lapping water.

Weekdays vs weekends: A Tuesday at Twin Beaches feels completely different to a Saturday. Fewer boats, fewer campers, more wildlife.

Tips#

1. Check tides before launching. Paddling against a strong tide on Berowra Creek is exhausting, and mudflats at low tide make landing tricky, particularly at the south beach. Use BOM tide tables and plan your departure accordingly
2. Arrive before midday on weekends. Sites are unmarked and first-come-first-served within your booking window. Best spots near the water go early
3. Bring more water than you think. No backup supply. On a hot day, 4 litres per person disappears quickly. Budget 5-6 litres per person per day in summer
4. Pack a tarp or shelter. Limited natural shade on the beach flats. Afternoon sun can be intense October to March
5. Secure your boat. Tidal water levels change significantly. If you pull your kayak up at high tide without accounting for the drop, you may wake to it sitting in mud 20 metres from the water. Use a long line and anchor above the tide mark
6. Bring a backup light. With no power and no mobile reception, a dead head torch means total darkness. Pack a spare torch or lantern
7. Check fire bans before every trip. Total fire bans can be declared at short notice during summer. Lighting a fire during a ban carries serious fines
8. Try a weekday trip. A Tuesday at Twin Beaches feels completely different to a Saturday. Fewer boats, fewer campers, more wildlife

Other boat-access campgrounds#

• Marramarra Creek campground: Further up a tributary, quieter and more sheltered, with walking track access
• Gentlemans Halt campground: On the Hawkesbury River with a timber wharf for larger boats

Both are free with the same $6 booking fee.

Can't get a booking?#

Twin Beaches campground can fill up during peak periods like school holidays and long weekends.

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