Book a place to camp

Ganyamalbaa Camping Trial

Welcome to the Ganyamalbaa (gunya-mul-ba) Camping Trial, meaning a ‘place to camp’ in Worimi Gathang language.

Book a unique camping holiday with family or friends at a remote beach campsite at the Worimi Conservation Lands north of Newcastle, developed as part of the sustainable camping trial.

The campsites are suitable for tents and single axel camper trailers only. Bookings are essential and camping is only allowed in the Ganyamalbaa Camping Area.

Camping is not permitted elsewhere in the Worimi Conservation Lands, including staying overnight in vehicles on the beach.

Watch the video below to book a campsite now!

When the video finishes a booking button will appear. Click to check availability and make a booking.

Click

Booking support

For assistance in booking a campsite call the National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757, seven days a week, 7am to 7pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a remote beach camping area, suitable for tents and 4WD campers. Camping is only permitted in designated campsites by booking only. Camping is not permitted elsewhere in the Worimi Conservation Lands.

For more information about camping at Ganyamalbaa click on the + symbol to expand each section below.

Getting there

Location & access

The Ganyamalbaa Camping Area is located at southern end of the Worimi Conservation Lands overlooking the spectacular Worimi cultural landscape. Access is by 4WD vehicles only via unsealed roads and beach driving.

To get to the camping area:

Access the beach via the Lavis Lane 4WD entrance at Williamtown.
Travel south approximately 5 kms.
To find your site, follow the coloured signs that match the colour of your campsite.

Please note: the alternative entrance at Fern Bay is one way only; trailers are not permitted via Fern Bay.

Worimi Conservation Lands - Ganyamalbaa Camping Trial

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Parking

Parking is available at each campsite. Please do not to park or drive on shell accumulations, vegetation or the frontal dune.

Sites 1-24: A maximum of 2 vehicles are permitted per site (trailers are classified as vehicles). Quad bikes are not permitted.

Sites 25-26: Quad bikes are permitted. A maximum of 3 vehicles are allowed (trailers and quad bikes are classified as vehicles).

Additional parking is available at your own risk at Lavis Lane carpark, or Fern Bay carpark.

Check in/check out

Check in after 2pm, check out before 10am.

Make sure you arrive before dark to locate your campsite.

Fees

Camping fees

Site fee (per 2 adults) – $33.00 per/night

Additional adults – $16.50 per adult/night

Child (5-12) – $8.00 per child/night

Infants (under 4) – free

Camping fees help recoup some of the additional costs associated with providing this unique visitor experience.

Park entry fees (beach vehicle permits)

All vehicles entering the Worimi Conservation Lands must have a valid WCL Beach Vehicle Permit. Beach vehicle permits are not included with camping fees. NPWS Parks Passes are not valid at the WCL.

Visit worimiconservationlands.com/beach-driving to view a list of outlets where you can buy your permit.

Types of camping

This is a remote beach camping area, suitable for tents and 4WD campers. Campsites are not suitable for caravans, mobile homes or double axel vehicles. Camping is only permitted in designated campsites. All campsites are a spacious 20m x 20m in size.

Quad bike campsites

Campsites 25 and 26 are allocated specifically for people to camp with quad bikes. Don’t forget to bring your RTA conditional registration for Stockton Beach and ride only during the hours your permit allows

Facilities

This is a remote campground with no facilities including toilets and water. Please make sure you arrive well-prepared. Fire pits are provided.

You will need to bring a portable camp toilet and take away all waste. A toilet waste dump point is provided at the Lavis Lane Carpark.

Worimi Conservation Lands - Ganyamalbaa Camping Trial

Don’t forget to bring your sand tent pegs.

Waste dump point

You are required to bring your own port-a-loo and take all waste with you. A port-a-loo waste dump point is located at the northern end of the Lavis Lane carpark.

Campfires

Fires are only permitted in fire pits provided.

Firewood is not provided and cannot be collected from the park, so you’ll need to bring your own supply.

Total fire bans

During a total fire ban (minimum 24-hour period)

All campfire and solid fuel and liquid fuel barbecues and stoves are prohibited.

All visitor-owned gas and electric barbecues and cookers are prohibited (total fire bans do not restrict the use of gas or electric cookers within a caravan or 3-sided enclosed annexe of a caravan)
For more information, please visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/fire-safety/fire-bans

Power & water

There is no power or drinking water.

Rubbish

Bins are not available, so please take all rubbish with you.

Telephone/mobile service

There is limited mobile phone service available.

Activities

From beach walking, fishing, exploring the dunes, joining a commercial tour, family campfire sing-alongs, star gazing, four-wheel driving or quad bike riding, there are loads of fantastic activities that will make a stay at Ganyamalbaa one to remember!

The beach within the Worimi Conservation Lands is unpatrolled and swimming is not advised.

Safety

For general safety tips, visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety. To check beach driving conditions, go to https://worimiconservationlands.com/

Beach safety

The beach within the Worimi Conservation Lands is unpatrolled and swimming is not advised. Lifeguards are on duty at Birubi Point Surf Lifesaving Club when red and yellow flags are displayed. Please swim between the flags.

Emergency contact Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency app before you visit; it helps emergency services locate you, using your smartphone’s GPS.

For more information, visit https://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

Park closures & alerts

There will be times when, in the interests of visitor safety and environmental sustainability, national parks and reserves will either need to be closed or have access restricted. Please observe any park and road closures in place.

Rules

Number of Campers

Maximum number of 8 campers per site. All equipment must be kept within the campsite boundaries

Noise

Please be considerate of others and keep noise to a minimum after 10pm. Parties are not permitted.

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. For more information, visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-policies/pets-in-parks

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas. For more information, visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/no-smoking-in-national-parks

Not permitted

Generators, amplified music and parties are not permitted

Wildlife

Do not feed wildlife. Ensure food and rubbish is properly stored to prevent access by wildlife.

Terms and Conditions

Check out https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/accommodation-campground-booking-conditions to view standard terms and conditions for NPWS properties.

Ganyamalbaa campers must also watch the pre-booking video at https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZYFk2jec7y8?rel=0 and agree to abide by its conditions.

Other

Are bookings essential?

Yes. The number of campsites is limited as part of the trial. It is essential you book a site before you arrive. Bookings can be made up to 180 days in advance.

How many sites can I book at a time?

You can make one booking at a time, with a maximum of two bookings per person.

How long can I stay?

7 nights is the maximum length of stay at the Ganyamalbaa Camping Area trial.

Is camping allowed elsewhere in the WCL?

Camping is only be permitted in the Ganyamalbaa Camping Area. It is illegal to camp elsewhere in the park including staying overnight in vehicles on the beach.

How is camping managed?

Our friendly staff will be visiting the camping area daily, to assist visitors with enquires and provide information about this special place.

A key feature of the camping trial is the ongoing monitoring program. It will enable the Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management to closely observe, review and respond to the potential impacts of camping, and adapt its approach to ensure park values such as Worimi cultural sites and the frontal dune are protected. This will ensure that camping has the best chance of becoming a long-term visitor experience.

About the Ganyamalbaa Camping Trial

Camping is being introduced in stages as part of a trial to give it the best chance of becoming a long-term visitor experience.

A key feature of the trial is the ongoing monitoring program which will enable the WCL Board of Management to closely observe, review and respond to potential impacts of camping, and adapt its approach to ensure park values such as Worimi cultural sites and the frontal dune are protected.

How was the camping developed?

In 2016, the Board formed a stakeholder consultative group who met regularly to investigate and consider a range of possibilities for introducing sustainable camping to the park. Aboriginal Owners, recreational fishing, four-wheel drive and conservation representative comprised the group, who co-designed a strategy for safe and sustainable camping that protects Aboriginal sites and the frontal dune, and respects and celebrates the park’s deep cultural significance to the Worimi people.

Why can’t camping be the same as before?

Camping will be very different to the previously unrestricted camping, which had a devastating impact on Worimi cultural sites, the frontal dune and visitor safety.

Why is the camping a trial?

Camping will be introduced in stages as a ‘trial’ to allow the Board to monitor impacts & adapt their camping plan as needed. Tracking the impacts and adapting the approach to camping will give it the best chance of becoming a sustainable long-term visitor experience.

What will the monitoring assess?

Impacts on cultural sites, the frontal dune and vegetation will be monitored using established GPS photo points. Visitor behaviour including increases in illegal camping will carefully monitored, as will the financial sustainability of the camping.

What happens if monitoring finds that camping is unsustainable?

The WCL Board camping is planning for a successful camping trial, however if there are unacceptable impacts on cultural sites, the frontal dune or visitor safety, the camping opportunity will be reviewed. The ongoing monitoring program will track these impacts and enables the best chance of camping becoming a long-term visitor experience.

Why is the camping area located at the southern end of the park?

The location of the camping area was chosen due to the minimal number of cultural sites in the area, the close proximity of the recreational vehicle area, and the easy access from the Lavis Lane and Fern Bay four-wheel drive entrances.

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Ganyamalbaa Beach Camping Area