NSWNP Camping

[Mitchc]

Hi,

Sorry for what may be a stupid question, but just want some clarification seeing as I am new to overnight hikes.

For those that camp not in a designated campsite, do you have to pay a fee or how does that work? NSWNP informed me that I MUST camp in a designated campsite. I may be wrong in assuming not everyone does this... do people just ignore the rule or do you all ensure you use a proper campsite?

M

[perfectlydark]

Could depend.on the park. I think in Bouddi for example you have to camp in one of the 3 designated sites (fees apply) other parks its not.so strict, well thats what I have always thought anyway. Which park are you referring to?

[Mitchc]

I was not specifically referring to any one particular park, just in general. I am currently around the Blue Mountain area at the present, but will be moving down down to Sydney so I plan to hike around the Royal and Heathcote NP and surrounding areas a bit.

[GPSGuided]

My understanding is that there's more restriction in the more developed and popular NPs. Far less restrictive in those wilderness NPs eg. Nattai. So for the Sutherland NP, you'll be well advised to camp in designated camping areas or else with the people load, excessive environmental damage could easily result.

[Mitchc]

...designated camping areas or else with the people load, excessive environmental damage could easily result.

Completely agree and understand the possible environmental damages for it being uncontrolled, not to mention the liability issues for being allowed to camp anywhere. Was just curious as to how strict it all is, and how it's actually monitored. Cheers for the info.

[GPSGuided]

NPs are big and I am sure one can always find a secluded spot that can't be detected. Otherwise, luck of the draw if there's a ranger going past.

[johnw]

I was not specifically referring to any one particular park, just in general. I am currently around the Blue Mountain area at the present, but will be moving down down to Sydney so I plan to hike around the Royal and Heathcote NP and surrounding areas a bit.

I was not specifically referring to any one particular park, just in general. I am currently around the Blue Mountain area at the present, but will be moving down down to Sydney so I plan to hike around the Royal and Heathcote NP and surrounding areas a bit.

It does depend on the park in my understanding. In the Blue Mountains I know there are restrictions as to where you can camp within the Grose Valley, i.e. Acacia Flat (near the Blue Gum Forest) and Burra Korain near Victoria Falls are the only authorised sites. Otherwise I am not aware of any general restriction on remote backpack camping in the Blueys generally (someone can correct me if wrong). I do think the regulations say that you need to be a minimum distance from walking tracks, roads etc. but would need to look up the specifics. NPWS web site will have this information somewhere. That said I think they prefer people to use existing hardened sites as far as possible. I've camped at places such as the Wollangambe Crater and around Coxs River/Breakfast Creek in the Wild Dog Mountains and there are other commonly visited remote destinations without official campsites. Sometimes the answer you get may depend on who you speak to and how they perceive you, e.g. if they think you are a recently arrived tourist who may be underprepared I suspect they will try and direct you to only use official sites, possibly due to safety concerns.

Officially, remote camping in Royal NP is restricted to North Era on the Coast Track and at Uloola Falls. Personally I think at least one more site should exist on the Coast Track, or at least move North Era to a more central location. Heathcote NP has similar restrictions, from recollection there is one site at the southern end of the Bullawarring Track and maybe another near Lake Eckersley.

Can't really comment on monitoring but I know some remote patrols do happen on occasion.

HTH

[michael_p]

the Royal and Heathcote NP

Bottom of page 52 in the RNP/HNP/GarawarraSRA management plan talks about camping: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/pomfinalroyalgarawarraheathcote.pdf. On page 53 it states that bush camping is limited in the RNP but permitted in HNP and not permitted in Garawarra.

Personally, I think Heathcote is a far better place to bush camp. And going by the number of fire rings I have found over the years I think a number of people agree with me. You can find many nice quiet spots by heading up one of the side creeks in the park. I was at Kingfisher Pool a couple of weeks back and the area is a disgrace. The toilet is so badly vandalised it is barely usable. There is no way I would pay to camp there.

Last year I overnighted in HNP at a remote location. On the way out I spoke to some people who camped at Mirang Pool. They told me that at around midnight a group of bogans turned up and decided to have a party near the campground. This was rather disturbing for the people who were camped at Mirang and they did not sleep well or enjoy themselves.

At the moment the creeks in HNP are barely flowing. Heathcote Ck was barely a trickle, Kingfisher Ck wasn't flowing at all and Myuna Ck's was just a dribble. Still lots of water in the pools but not much flow.

Cheers,
Michael.