Camping spots under the trees next to a gentle river for fresh water fun, with maybe a natural spa in the river? Sure, you can do that here.

No crashing surf here, just the quieter company of moving water, long flat stretches perfect for a float, and the occasional set of rapids doing a fair impression of a natural spa.

Riverside camping on the Barrington Coast ranges from properly rustic to genuinely resort style, so here’s the pick, split into rustic and remote spots for those after a simpler experience, and full facility river resorts for those who want their creature comforts close at hand.

Rustic and remote

These four strip things back, closer to nature, further from crowds, and all the better for it.

The Steps Barrington Campground, Bindera is boutique camping with a genuine limit on numbers, so there’s always plenty of space. Slow moving stretches of the Barrington River make for perfect family swimming holes, purpose-made river sleds are available for a run down the rapids and there’s an onsite mountain bike park for good measure. If you feel like a daytrip, Barrington Tops itself is an easy short drive.

Myall River Camp, Hawks Nest is a multi award winning, eco accredited retreat alongside the Myall River, a stone’s throw from white sand and Myall Lakes National Park. Choose a scenic riverfront or bushland site in the off grid campground, or step up to a glamping tent or tiny house if you’d rather not rough it completely. 4WDing, sandboarding, surfing, kayaking and bushwalking all on the doorstep.

NPWS Gloucester River Campground at Gloucester Tops sits right on the eastern edge of Barrington Tops, wide open grassy spaces with shady spots for the tents and plenty of room for kids to run. Pick a spot beside the flowing river, swim for a couple of days, and take in the nearby walking tracks when you need a change of pace.

Camp Cobark, 40 kilometres west of Gloucester, is a genuine nature lover’s haven with rustic amenities and five riverside campgrounds strung along the Cobark River, or sleep under the stars in a swag if you’d rather. Barrington Tops itself is close enough for an easy day trip.

Full facility riverside resorts

If you’d like a pool, a kiosk or a proper restaurant within reach of your riverside spot, these three deliver.

Big4 River Myall Holiday Resort, Bulahdelah spans 20 hectares of riverfront on the Myall River. It has everything from spacious camp sites to modern family cabins, playground and pool for keeping the kids busy while the adults find their stolen moments of peace. And it’s easy access to Myall Lakes National Park for day trips.

Riverwood Downs, Monkerai is hidden in a rural valley on the Karuah River near Stroud, 300 hectares with five kilometres of mountain river frontage. Platypus filled river pools, an onsite bar and restaurant, and accommodation ranging from riverside camping through to spa cabins and a proper homestead, genuine country hospitality with the option to camp or go a good deal softer.

Discovery Parks Forster, Darawank sits on the tranquil Wallamba River, a park families return to year after year for fishing, kayaking and water skiing by day and good sunsets by night. Dog friendly facilities throughout make it an easy choice if the whole family, four legged members included, is coming along.

Know a riverside camping location that deserves a spot on this list? Get in touch, we’re always adding to it.