Let me start out by saying that I’m not the most outdoorsy girl out there. Sure, I camped with my Brownie Troop as a kid but then again that was in our camp leader’s backyard. I did camp for real in West Virginia and the next day I woke up to go white water rafting. Regardless of your adventure level, there are a few destinations that I'd consider camping and Sydney is one of them.
Here are 5 places near Sydney where I'd happily pitch a tent.
1) Patonga
This campground is actually located in Brisbane Waters National Park and is surrounded by a beach and a creek, both on opposite sides. Coming from New York, this is already sounding like paradise to my tired ears. Depending on when you visit you can explore the national park, do a bit of paddling or hit the tennis courts. If you’re craving a bit of entertainment and shopping or you just really need a hot shower and more human interaction, hop on the ferry to Palm Beach and then return back to Patonga for a peaceful sleep.
2) Cockatoo Island
If the sound of this island doesn’t intrigue you, I’m not sure what will. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s quite the romantic getaway and a lot of that has to do with “glamping.” If you don’t feel like roughing it out in the wild, you can splurge on a glamorous camping experience where everything is laid out for you, literally. Your tent is already pitched and there are real mattresses to sleep on, not to mention towels, lounges for sun tanning and a lantern. Eat breakfast at The Canteen and head to The Island Bar for flavorful cocktails.
3) Lane Cove River National Park
It’s no secret that I have a strange obsession for wanting to feel the superhuman feeling of flying. Thus, I’m sort of envious of birds but not too much because they are too beautiful and graceful to dislike. Tangent aside, this park is only about six miles away from Harbour Bridge so it’s not a bad hike at all. Plus, you can play “bird watcher” and spot native species. This is not at the same level as glamping but there are a few major amenities here that I'd appreciate including Wi-Fi, a pool and a kitchen.
4) Eden
Again, it was the name that first intrigued me but this Eden has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing and culture. It’s located between Aslings Beach and Lake Curalo and there’s a cute little boardwalk to stretch your legs and adjust to your new surroundings. As I’m obsessed with whales, I would visit the Whale Museum and whale watch. Eden is about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne and if you plan on visiting both cities anyway, this is a strategic (not to mention gorgeous) stop along the way.
Copyright © 2014 by Bohemian Trails. This article was written by Megan Eileen McDonough and originally published on bohemiantrails.com.
Megan Eileen McDonough
Megan Eileen McDonough is a New York City-based freelance writer the founder of Bohemian Trails, a blog covering global lifestyle trends for the savvy and stylish traveler. Her cultural escapades have taken her to Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and across the United States. Megan’s work has appeared on Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, US Airways and USA Today among others.
*Image of Gold Coast, hinterland. Queensland via Shutterstock
