Near Bega on the far South Coast of NSW, Mimosa Rocks National Park is heaving with campers come summer. Here outdoor lovers can fish, surf, snorkel and birdwatch thanks to the campground prime location. You’re just steps away from incredible headland views, beaches and pure lagoons, as well as lookouts, pockets of rainforest and historic sites to explore. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

This Bawley Point beauty is the perfect place to unplug. Sunburnt Beach Campground offers free unpowered camping sites with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll usually find surfers here chasing the swell at nearby Termeil Beach. The campground is in the southern part of Meroo National Park about 100 metres from the carpark. This is one of the best summer camping spots in NSW for beach fishing. There are no showers here, but there are non-flush toilets. Only hardcore campers need apply. visitnsw.com

Life is easy and breezy at Swifts Creek campground in summer, which is the perfect launching pad for fishing, canoeing, picnics, walking, birdwatching and cycling. Swifts Creek is situated at the most narrow part of the Murray River. But it’s still a mighty spot to enjoy the iconic waterway. Look out for koalas in the trees, woodland birds in the trees and wetland species in the water. A $6 booking fee applies at the campground, which has sites for tents, camper trailers, caravans and swags. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Camping on Cockatoo Island is one of the best things to do over summer in Sydney, with the waterfront Cockatoo Island Campground offering unbeatable views of Sydney Harbour. BYO your own tent or book a Deluxe Waterfront Camping tent furnished with creature comforts. Looking for something exciting to do with the kids over the summer holidays? Book a prison tour of the island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. See some live music, and then pick up your pre-ordered BBQ pack. cockatooisland.gov.au

Little Beach Campground is one of the best campgrounds on NSW’s Central Coast for surfers. Time slows to an absolute dawdle when your routine is: Surf, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Is there anything as soothing as falling asleep to the heavy breathing of the ocean, just metres away from your tent? The campground is tucked away in a blissful setting near a pretty cove surrounded by coastal littoral rainforest. There are sheltered barbecues and toilets. But if storm clouds start to darken the skies, retreat to the new voco Gosford. visitnsw.com

Mystery Bay Campground in Eurobodalla is one of the most under-the-radar campgrounds in NSW. Forget the cold blue light of your bedside clock; it’s the kookaburra’s rich contralto building to a hearty cackle that will get you out of bed here. Pets are allowed here so send your pooch off bounding for a stick while you cook up a few snags on the camp’s barbecues. There are toilets, but not showers. Pack light; it’s a 750-metre trudge through the bush to get to the secluded campsite, which is a top spot year-round. visitnsw.com

Darkness turns up the volume when it descends over the Rummery Park Campground on the north coast of NSW. Every year, families base themselves here for a spot of summer camping so they can explore Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Nightcap National Park. The campground can accommodate tents, camper trailers, caravans and swags. Make it your mission to get to Minyon Falls Lookout and follow the Boggy Creek walk, which has swimming holes to cool off in along the way.

Want to introduce your other half to the joys of camping without compromising on comfort and luxury? We get it – the attempt to relive the pleasant nostalgia of camping doesn’t always go to plan. Sierra Escape is a seductive option for first-timers who want to experience the thrill of going off-grid while enjoying a luxury adults-only glamping experience. After a day exploring NSW Wine Country, you can laze by the pool, toast marshmallows and then watch the sky scatter with stars from the bathtub on your private deck. sierraescape.com.au

Expect to find a few beardy blokes playing guitar. And kangaroos forming a circle around this popular NSW campground at dawn. Blue Waterholes, which is closed in winter, is one of the best places to camp in NSW if you want to hike to the historic Kosciuszko huts and see the landscape carpeted in wildflowers. Trek to Clarke Gorge and Nichols Gorge and wander down to the Blue Waterholes to get your Wim Hof on: the blue pools are icy even in summer. Unpowered sites for tents and camper trailers only for a $6 fee. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

We combed the state looking for the best places to camp in NSW over summer and came up with the Private Town Campground in Yerranderie Regional Park. Popular with paranormal investigators and history buffs, the campground is contained within a historic ghost town. Bring a white sheet with two holes cut in it so you can prank your partner and scare the living daylight out of them. The sites at the abandoned silver mining town are unpowered, but there are showers, toilets and barbecue facilities. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Count stars instead of sheep until you fall asleep in the Living Desert State Park. The campsite provides 15 unpowered van sites, a tent area, and expansive shelter with free gas barbecues and picnic tables, toilets and showers. But it’s the front-row seats that offer views of the night sky sprinkled with stars that we’re here for. Starview Primitive Campsite offers easy access to the Sunset Sculptures but is, as the name suggests, rather primitive. It’s only 10 clicks to Broken Hill if you run out of baked beans. visitbrokenhill.com

Make sure you’re shadowed by a big hat and have litres of fresh drinking water and cooking water when staying at this campground in the heart of the Australian outback. It can be blisteringly hot out here, so choose a site under one of the towering red river gums. The large well-equipped campground is near Mutawintji Historic Site, which you can only visit as part of a guided tour. All up, there are 50 campsites accommodating tents, camper trailers, caravans and camping in a swag beside your car. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Aragunnu Campground, NSW South Coast String a tarp up for shade and it’s likely to blend in with the blue skies of summer at this campground on NSW’s South Coast. While it might be character-forming to have insects vectoring in on you all night, we recommend pegging out your tent and orienting it toward the ocean, just 50 metres away. Bring on that sea breeze. Aragunnu Campground in Mimosa Rocks National Park has 30 sites for tents, camper trailers and swags. Grab your 5.8” shortboard for a surf at nearby Nelson Beach. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Kill the engine of your vehicle. Then pop the top of your campervan and hold onto that sense of optimism that the clouds as thick as fairy floss will pull apart for the big reveal. The low humidity and high altitude helped the Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran to gain certification as Australia’s first Dark Sky Park. Burbie Camp offers remote bush camping near a natural spring. But it’s the night sky that is the star attraction. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Compare bumper stickers with other happy campers at this popular campground on the NSW North Coast. BIG4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park is popular with surfers who like to rip it up at nearby Angourie, known for its fast, tubing right-hand wave. Families with young ones also love to make a little nest in the campground, which has a waterpark, outdoor cinema, pedal carts, pump track and playground. The playground also has a huge resort pool. It’s also one of the best winter camping spots in NSW. big4saltwater.com.au