Mountain Arm campground

Yengo National Park

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Overview

Get the kids out of town for an adventure at Mountain Arm campground. Set near a shallow creek, it offers mountain biking and hiking.

Accommodation Details
Camping type Tent, Camper trailer site, Camping beside my vehicle
Facilities Barbecue facilities, public phone, toilets
What to bring Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings Book up to 12 people or 2 sites online.
Group bookings This campground is not suitable for group bookings.
Please note
  • Check in 2pm, check out 10am.
  • PIN/combination numbers to access to the main gate into Big Yango precinct will be provided with your booking confirmation.
  • This campground is in a remote location, so it’s a good idea to pick up your supplies before you arrive. Small cafes and convenience stores are available at Laguna and Wollombi townships, 1 hour drive away.
  • The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please arrive well prepared.
  • Summer can bring hot days and nights, so keep this in mind when planning your visit.

Grab a spot on the gently sloping grass and set up camp after an easy drive from Sydney or Newcastle. Only accessible by 4WD, Mountain Arm campground is a peaceful and remote rustic camping site which offers a great family getaway within Yengo National Park, near Windsor.

If you’ve got an off-road caravan or trailer, bring it along, otherwise set up the tent. Choose your spot beside the creek for a tranquil location amidst brilliantly flowering wattles before you set out to explore. The creek next to this campground tends to only hold water after rain, but the lovely big trees along the creek offer shade and plenty of birdlife to watch. 

There are trails for bushwalking and mountain biking nearby, and Big Yango loop trail offers excellent 4WD touring. You might spot a wombat or swamp wallaby, or even a goanna when the weather is warm.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/mountain-arm-campground/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

  • in Yengo National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and North Coast regions

  • Yengo National Park is always open, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    The Big Yango precinct of the park is within locked gates and requires a permit to enter.

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Mountain Arm campground.

Getting there and parking

Mountain Arm campground is in the Big Yango precinct of Yengo National Park. From Laguna on the Wollombi Road (Tourist Route 33):

  • 1.5km south of Laguna, take Yango Creek Road for 2.2km to the intersection with Upper Yango Creek Road.
  • Turn left onto Upper Yango Creek Road and travel for 2.6km to the intersection with the Finchley track.
  • Turn right uphill and follow the road for 9.2km to the Yango track intersection, just past Finchley lookout.
  • Veer right onto Yango track and follow it for 13km then turn left onto Big Yango Entrance Road, where you will find a gate (pin/combination number required).
  • From the gate, travel a further 5km towards Big Yango House.
  • Go past the house and the pine trees and follow the road for 3km to the campground.

There is no access to Big Yango precinct via Stockyard Creek Road near Paynes Crossing. Please take note of this, as navigation tools such as Google Maps may direct you that way if you're travelling from the north.

Entry to Big Yango precinct and surrounds

There is one gate into Big Yango precinct that uses a combination lock.

Other gates such as those at Nowllands trail, Tumbledown, Spring Arm Link, Yango walk and the Yokey trail/Rascally intersection are locked to prevent damage to environmentally sensitive areas, cultural sites or the Yengo Wilderness Area.

Road quality

  • 4WD vehicles are required to access the campground
  • 32km of unsealed roads, including 3km of 4WD-only access
  • There are 3 causeway crossings; please check depths before crossing and depths can vary
  • Check the weather before you set out as the road to Mountain Arm campground can become boggy when it rains

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • All roads require 4WD vehicle

Weather restrictions

  • Dry weather only

Parking

Campsites are unmarked so there is plenty of parking. Maximum 3 vehicles per booking.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Yengo National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

Try mountain bike-riding around the Mount Yengo loop trail.

Spring

Set up camp at either Blue Gums or Mountain Arm campground and enjoy the stunning spring wildflower display.

Summer

Great for 4WD touring, experience those amazing sunsets and spectacular views from Finchley lookout.

Winter

Make Big Yango House your base to explore the park, enjoy warm days on the verandah and chilly nights by the fireplace.

Facilities

  • The campground accommodates up to 36 campers and is suitable for groups.
  • Campsites are unmarked and suitable for off-road caravans, camper trailers, 4WD campervans and tents.
  • Water isn't available at this campground.
  • Firewood is not provided and may not be collected from the park. 
  • Rubbish bins are not available. Please take your rubbish with you. Please don't burn any rubbish in the fire rings.
  • There is no power available in the campground.
  • Camping is also available at Blue Gums campground, or you may prefer to stay at Big Yango House.
  • Horses are permitted in the Big Yango precinct, but are limited to the valley floors and set trails. You can only house your horses at the yards near Big Yango House or the yards at Blue Gums campground. The yards are not maintained and use of the yards is at your own risk. For more information contact the Bulga office.

Toilets

Composting

  • Non-flush toilets

Barbecue facilities

  • Fire rings (bring your own firewood)

Public phone

An emergency phone is available down at the bottom shed below Big Yango House. You can only make emergency Triple Zero (000) calls or reverse charge calls.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

The weather in the area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well prepared for your visit and check the weather before you set out as the road to Mountain Arm campground can become boggy when it rains

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

In the event of a bushfire, proceed to Big Yango House and the slashed grassed areas, and remain there until emergency services arrive. Report fire by phoning Triple Zero (000) from the emergency phone located outside the bottom shed.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Depending on your carrier, some reception may be available at the main gate accessing the property, at the top of the hill above the main gate, or on several high ridges that the 4WD trails run along.

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

Mountain Arm campground is not wheelchair-accessible.

Permitted

Generators

Generators are permitted as long as due consideration is given to other visitors. Generators may be used between 10am and 8pm.

Horses

Horses are permitted in the Big Yango precinct, but are limited to the valley floors and set trails.

Prohibited

  • Unregistered vehicles such as trail bikes, mini bikes or quad bikes are not permitted.
  • Flying recreational drones is prohibited in this area. See the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) guidelines and read the OEH Drones in Parks policy for more information.

Drones

Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.

This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.

Commercial filming and photography

Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.

Learn more

Mountain Arm campground is in Yengo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Amazing animal and birdlife

    Small flower on the Circuit Flat walking track, Yengo National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Yengo is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including around 50 species of mammals such as wombats, wallaroos, koalas and gliding possums, and over 200 species of birds. Watch out for the gang gang, yellow-tailed and glossy black cockatoos gliding between the treetops, or see if you can spot a lyrebird darting across bush tracks. Look closely at the steep rugged cliff faces found in the park as you might catch a glimpse of the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby.

    Ancient Aboriginal culture

    Howes trail, Yengo National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Yengo National Park and the surrounding areas have been an important spiritual and cultural place for the Darkinjung and Wonnarua People for thousands of years. No wonder there are over 640 recorded Aboriginal cultural sites in the park and nearby areas. Creation stories recount that Biamie, the ancestral being, stepped off the flat top of Mount Yengo into the sky when he finished his creation. Today, Aboriginal stories and rock engravings connect us with the rich culture of this ancient land and its people.

    • Finchley cultural walk An astonishing wealth of ancient Aboriginal rock art, as well as great insights into Aboriginal history, draws visitors to the Finchley cultural walk.
    • Finchley lookout Finchley lookout offers spectacular views over this remote wilderness area and an insight into the Aboriginal cultural heritage of Yengo National Park.
    • Wollombi Aboriginal culture tours and camps Immerse yourself in the world’s oldest living culture and visit important spiritual and cultural sites in and around Yengo National Park on tours with Wollombi Aboriginal Cultural Experiences and Consultancy.

    Remote wilderness to discover

    Finchley lookout, Yengo National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Yengo offers a range of activities and options for all ages. Unsealed tracks through remote valleys provide opportunities to explore the park on mountain bike or by 4WD. For bushwalkers, there are many options to experience the rugged beauty of the park on foot, with both short walks and overnight walks. In the Big Yango precinct, there are even opportunities for horse riding adventures.

    • Big Yango loop trail Big Yango loop trail is a great activity for 4WD touring and mountain biking when staying at Blue Gums campground, Mountain Arm campground or Big Yango House in Yengo National Park.
    • Howes trail Drive through open forests along Howes trail, a must-do 4WD touring route in Yengo National Park.

    World Heritage wonders

    View of Mount Yengo , Mount Yengo loop trail, Yengo National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Yengo National Park is one of the eight conservation areas that make up the massive Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property. Covering one million hectares, it was included in the World Heritage list in December 2000 for its remarkable geographic, botanic and cultural values. There are more than 90 different eucalypt species found here - some 13 per cent of all eucalypt species in the world.

    • Howes trail Drive through open forests along Howes trail, a must-do 4WD touring route in Yengo National Park.
    • Shepherds Gully circuit Step back in time on Shepherds Gully circuit. A short loop, it's ideal for bushwalkers looking for a quick adventure in Yengo National Park.

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