Little Mountain campground
North Coast
Overview
Little Mountain campground is a quiet riverside camping area in Karuah National Park. Enjoy 4WD touring, mountain biking, fishing, paddling and birdwatching from your campsite near Karuah.
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Camping beside my vehicle |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Barbecue facilities |
| What to bring | Drinking water, cooking water, firewood, insect repellent |
| Price | There are no camping fees at this campground but a $6 booking fee applies. |
| Bookings | Bookings for up to 2 sites and 12 people can be made online. |
| Group bookings | This campground is not suitable for group bookings. |
| Please note |
|
Escape the city lights and get back to basics at this quiet riverside campground. Surrounded by forest, it’s a picturesque spot for birdwatching with views across the river and not a soul in sight.
Enjoy 4WDing or cycling through the forest and admire the ironbarks, angophoras banksias and blackbutt trees along the way. Once you arrive, set up your tent, then it’s time to relax and recharge. Launch your canoe or kayak into the river and paddle off to explore. Take a walk in the forest, cast your fishing line into the river or just lie back and listen to the chorus of birds in the trees above.
As dusk sets in, keep your eyes out for swamp wallabies and ring-tailed and brush-tailed possums around the campsite. Then get ready for a peaceful night around the campfire and a bit of stargazing.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/little-mountain-campground/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Anna Bay office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 4984 8200
- npws.huntercoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 4154 Nelson Bay Road, Anna Bay, NSW 2315
Park info
- in Karuah National Park in the North Coast region
Karuah National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- in Karuah Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Little Mountain campground.
Getting there and parking
Little Mountain campground is in Karuah National Park. To get there:
- Turn onto Bucketts Way from Pacific Highway
- Continue for approximately 9km then turn right onto Hobarts Road, just past Limeburners Creek.
- Continue for approximately 3km then turn right onto Little Mountain Road
- Follow for another 3km until you reach the campground
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Little Mountain campground can become boggy and inaccessible when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
Parking is available at Little Mountain campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Karuah National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Pack your fishing gear and head to the river at this popular fishing spot.
Spring
See how the wildflowers bring the bush to life in spring.
Summer
Launch your kayak, canoe or boat and explore the reserve by water.
Winter
Get cosy around the campfires on those cold winter nights.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
12°C to 28°C
Highest recorded
40.6°C
Winter temperature
Average
3°C to 18°C
Lowest recorded
-4.4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
573.8mm
Facilities
- Water is not available at this campground.
- Rubbish bins are not available – please take rubbish with you when leaving.
Barbecue facilities
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Maps and downloads
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Generators
Generators are permitted to be used in particular areas within this campground.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Little Mountain campground is in Karuah National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Ancient connections
Karuah National Park is part of the traditional lands of the Worimi Nation. Before European settlement, the Worimi People lived in an area from Port Stephens to Forster and as far west as Gloucester. There are a number of recorded Aboriginal sites in the reserve, particularly along Karuah River, such as modified trees, artefacts, earth mounds, shell middens and a burial site. The Worimi people continue to have a strong connection with the animals, land and waterways of Karuah.
Bird watching retreat
You'll find an abundance of birdlife to watch at Karuah. Vulnerable species such as the square-tailed kite, swift parrot and masked owl find their home in eucalyptus woodlands. Glossy black cockatoos can be seen feeding on the casuarina stands along the river's edge. You might also see one of the 8 vulnerable bat species found here, including little bent-wing bats and greater broad-nosed bats. Karuah is also home to plenty of native animals. You'll most likely share your camping spot with locals like bandicoots and ring-tailed and brush-tailed possums. There's also a local koala population at Karuah, so keep your eyes peeled when you're walking through the eucalypt forest.
- Double Wharf picnic area Take a day trip from Newcastle and spend the day picnicking, bushwalking, fishing, paddling and boating on the river at Double Wharf picnic area in Karuah National Park.
Rich in heritage sites
As well as being a place of natural beauty and tranquillity, Karuah has many historic sites to remind you of the forestry industry that once thrived in this region. Driving through the forest, you'll be driving along a road network built by the timber industry and see timber loading ramps on the banks of the river at Double Wharf. Other historic sites to discover are a set of yards at Witt Road and the Hunter Jetty on Claybank Road.