The Pines is the best-known camp in the Watagans, and on a busy weekend it fills up fast. The good news is that there are three more free camping areas within a few minutes of it. On the trip where we camped at The Pines Campground, I had a look at all three, and Casuarina Camping Area is the one I’d try first if The Pines was full.
The good
- Free, first come, first served
- Room for caravans and camper trailers
- Toilets and bins on site
- Shaded sites under tall trees
- 5-minute walk to The Pines and the walking tracks
- Dogs are allowed
The not-so-good
- No booking, so no guaranteed spot
- No drinking water
- Gets busy on weekends
It sits in the same part of Olney State Forest, under tall trees, and it’s the only one of the backups with both toilets and room for caravans.
About Casuarina Camping Area
Casuarina Camping Area is a free camping area in Olney State Forest, part of the Watagan Mountains west of Lake Macquarie and less than two hours from Sydney. It’s run by Forestry Corporation of NSW. You can’t book: it’s first come, first served.
The camping area is set among forest oaks and tall eucalypts. It has room for caravans and camper trailers as well as tents and vehicle-based camping, and it has a toilet block, rubbish bins and fire rings.
Quick facts
- AddressCasuarina Camping Area, Olney State Forest, Watagan Mountains, NSW 2259, Australia
- Phone reception:No reception
- Facilities:Pet FriendlyToiletsFire RingsRubbish BinsCaravan AccessCamper Trailer AccessWalking TrailsNo Drinking Water
- 9.2/10Overall rated
- Good to know:Sydney under 2 hrsFirst come, first served5 min walk to The Pines
- Fees:FreeNo booking needed
- Visitor info: Forestry Corporation
Casuarina Camping Area and Surroundings
The camping area is a series of flat clearings on a carpet of fallen needles and leaves, linked by a gravel loop track. The trees are tall and close together, so the sites are well shaded. There are no marked sites. You find a clearing that suits your setup, and most of them have a fire ring made of rocks.
When I walked through, there were a few camps set up, including caravans, with plenty of room left between them. It felt a bit more open and organised than Turpentine next door, mainly because of the toilets and bins at the entrance.
The big draw is how close it is to The Pines. The Pines picnic area is about a five-minute walk away, and three walking tracks start there: the Pines Walking Track along Dora Creek to a rock pool, the Abbotts Falls Walking Track and the Wildflower track. For views, Heaton Lookout is a drive away along the forest roads.
Getting There and Accessibility
Casuarina Camping Area is reached on the gravel forest roads of Olney State Forest, the same way you get to The Pines. The turn-off is signposted from the main forest road, with one sign for both Casuarina and Turpentine. A little further in, the track splits: straight on for Casuarina, right for Turpentine.
The roads are unsealed. In dry weather a 2WD with decent clearance can manage them, but a 4WD is more comfortable, as it is for The Pines. Check the Forestry Corporation notices before you go, because forest roads can be closed after rain or during forestry work.
Practical Tips and Facilities
No booking, no fees. Camping is free and first come, first served. On long weekends and school holidays, arrive early, ideally on Thursday or Friday morning. If Casuarina is full, Turpentine is a few hundred metres away and Olney Headquarters is close by too.
Toilets and bins. There’s a toilet block near the entrance and a row of rubbish bins. That’s more than you get at Turpentine, which has neither.
Water. There’s no drinking water, so bring all you need for drinking, cooking and washing up.
Phone reception. There’s no phone reception here, so download your maps and tell someone your plans before you drive in.
Dogs. Dogs are allowed here and throughout Olney State Forest, which is a big plus over the national park campgrounds nearby.
Fires. The clearings have fire rings. You can gather fallen timber from the ground for your campfire while you’re camped here, but collecting firewood to take away needs a permit. It’s still worth bringing some dry wood in case it has rained. Check for fire bans before you light up, especially in summer.
Caravans and trailers. The clearings are flat and big enough for a caravan or camper trailer, and the loop track gives you room to turn.
Summary: Is Casuarina Camping Area Worth It?
Yes. Casuarina Camping Area gives you free camping under tall trees, with toilets, bins and room for a caravan, a short walk from The Pines and its walking tracks. You can’t book, so there’s no guaranteed spot, and you need to bring your own water. As a backup for The Pines, or as a first choice if you’re towing, it’s a very good option.
The other two camping areas nearby are Turpentine Camping Area and Olney Headquarters Camping Area, and our Hunter Valley 4WD camping guide covers the wider area.
A free forest camp with toilets and bins, and the best of the three backups when The Pines is full.
- 4WD tourers
- Van-lifers
- Weekend trips
Yes. It’s free, with toilets, bins and room for a caravan. Bring your own drinking water, and arrive early on weekends.
Recommended Gear for Casuarina Camping Area
With no water on tap, start with water storage for the weekend. Under the trees it gets dark early, so good camping lighting is worth having, and a camp kitchen setup means you’re not relying on the fire. Add a couple of camping chairs for the evening around the fire ring.
