Suggestions for short walk in camp site?

[Ally]

I'm wanting to take one of my kids for their first camping trip. My experience with walking and camping is all with long walk in camp sites, mostly Barrington Tops, where the walk in would be way too long for a kid.

So I'm after suggestions for camp sites with a walk in of up to maybe an hour. As this is the first camping trip I'd really like some kind of toilet facilities, even if it's just pit toilets.

Location preferably one or 1.5 hours from Newcastle.

The ones I can think of are:

* Tallow Beach in Bouddi NP, though I'm concerned about sharing the campground with bogans, due to its proximity to civilisation.

* Colo Meroo campground in Wollemi NP - does anyone know if the 2km walk in through private property is still an option for this campground?

I've never really car camped, but would also consider car camping suggestions that are on private property or would be pretty much assured of being free of noisy or disruptive neighbours.

Any suggestions or comments greatly appreciated.

[Kainas]

Hi Ally,

I am in the same area and just starting doing the same with my kids. One place I am keen to go is down to Wiseman's Ferry. There is a little camping spot nearby (car camping) that has a nice walk, and another track down the road that can be accessed somewhat with bikes.

Someone from this site (Richard) also made the following suggestion on my blog:
"First (trip that they went on) was a 2km flat walk into a camp site on Myall Lakes – great site with pit toilet and lovely sandy swimming for the kids (can’t remember the name at the moment but can find out – just north of Bombah Point)."

I would be interested to know how you go, as we are in the same area.

[Kainas]

Also, have you used the search facility on http://www.wildwalks.com/walk_search.html ?

I have found quite a few walks that would suit my kids on this site.

[beachcruiser]

I think the campground that was mentioned earlier would be Jones Cove Campground in Myall Lakes National Park, we walked there last year on a day walk from Boomeri campground, it wasn't far but it looks like you can take an even shorter trail (800m) from closer to Boondah point. The Jones Cove Campground has toilets and rainwater from the roof of the toilet block (signs say not for drinking but should be OK after boiling or treating). We were there last October long weekend and all the car camping sites elsewhere in the park were full but this campsite was fairly empty, I expect it's mostly used by 'boat access' campers so you could get unlucky and share the site with a noisy group.

[johnrs]

Hi again Ali
If the kids are water safe have a look at some Barrington tops maps,
where the Gummi/Upper Manning passes near the road above the falls there are some short walk ins through snow gums to the river.
This is below the Mudhole and gauging station access points

There are also very short walks to the creekside camping site up the top on Gloucester Tops.

Down Sydney way there is Bob Turners track to the Colo, again with water.
The Meroo campsite access has been sorted but you must park back from the gate and the locals are still hostile. The site itself is a bit overgrown.

The cathedral of ferns campsite at Mt Wilson is drive in and rather nice.
You could walk your kids down to Joes Canyon for a summer splash around
http://www.mtwilson.com.au/things-to-do ... oning.html
Regards
John