Great news for budget-conscious grey nomads who love to get out into some of our most beautiful country … the Forestry Corporation has released its ‘ultimate guide’ to free camping in New South Wales State Forests.
The online guide lists dozens of pet-friendly camping spots, showing their location on a map, and indicating what facilities are available.
“State forests are a fabulous resource for the community – they are free to use, offer an array of facilities and more basic ‘back to nature’ camping and visitors can even bring their dogs along,” said Louise Faulkner, Manager Tourism and Partnerships. “We love people visiting the forest and ask everyone to look after the sites for others – take your rubbish with you.”
Camping in state forests can be absolutely magical. PIC: NSW Forestry Corporattion
While there are some superb areas, often with lookouts, visitors are reminded that State forests are also working forests … so tourism, wildlife protection, primary industries like grazing and apiary, and sustainable timber production must co-exist.
“When visiting State forests we ask people to read and obey signage, especially staying out of closed areas where operations may be taking place and it is not safe to enter,” said Northern Regional Manager, Dean Caton. “Trucks may also be using forest roads so visitors should use radio call ups if they have them and drive slowly and to the road conditions.”
As the new free camping guide was launched, State forest staff listed some of their favourite listed places.
They included Coopernook State Forest, Sealy Lookout in Orara East State Forest near Coffs Harbour, Tirrill Creek in Bulga State Forest, and Cowarra State Forest between Wauchope and Port Macquarie.
And, for those who like to throw a line in, the Forestry Corporation’s Partnerships Leader, Rob Young, had quite a few recommendations.
“Koondrook and Perricoota State Forests adjacent to the Murray River down on the Victorian border are always on my list … great spots for fishing for native fish (Murray Cod and Yellow belly), as well as boating and kayaking,” he said. “Bermagui State Forest on the NSW South Coast is also excellent for fishing and camping, while Currowan State Forest near Batemans Bay has good bass fishing and canoeing.”
Click here to have a look at the guide.
Cooking system king, Cobb, is offering GN members the chance to win one of two Cobb Pro Black Gas Grills, each valued at $399. This all-in-one portable gas cooker is versatile, compact, and windproof, and allows travellers to grill, fry, roast, boil, and more with ease.
The basic package includes the grill, a carry bag, and a heavy-duty BBQ griddle for perfectly searing steaks and vegetables. Lucky winners will be able to enjoy up to eight hours of cooking on a single 450g gas canister.
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Grey Nomad Members are being given the opportunity to win one of two double Gold Passes the spectacular Barrington Coast Airshow which will bring the skies over the NSW town of Taree to thrilling life on Saturday, November 9.
Each Double Gold Pass is worth $300
Click here to find out more about GN membership, the prize, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
I hope the ‘anti pooch’ brigade don’t start complaining again about people travelling with their dog in the bush.
There is a slim minority of irresponsible dog owners the same as there is a small minority of irresponsible non dog owners.
The forest and animals will not be harmed at all. I live in the bush with my dog in harmony with all sorts of native animals. Native animals and birds are smart enough to know there are NO cats and other feral animals to bother them in my vicinity.
Safe travels and enjoy the beauty of our beaut forests. Cheers.
I think you are missing the point. Dogs on a leash aren’t a worry – but CATS! They are an apex predator. Nothing on the ground has a chance.
You won’t find feral cats anywhere near the vicinity of domestic dogs..regardless on a leash or not..!!
They tell me not to scrounge for waste wood for my cooking fire but due to the powerful logging industry allow thousands of tons of logs to be removed. And if you see the areas where they are logging you will cry at the devastation created by the machines and the roads that they cut to bring the trucks in. Ban logging in National Forests!!
Errrr! Logging is why we have so much national forest land. No logging and national parks would steal it so it could be burned to the ground every 15 years
so where will we get our responsibly regrown timber from then … China as usual? People, now as always, need timber
Good on the forestry commission. Pity they lost so much of their pristine forests when they were forced to hand over their well managed, camper-friendly land for national parks to mismanage.
However, they could have saved a lot of time and money by consulting wikicamps app and setting the filter to show just free camping in state forests.