NSW's Best Kept Secret? North Shore Beach
For a while now, I’ve been on the hunt for a new 4WD Beach camping spot. To be honest, I’ve grown tired of the usual places like Stockton Beach, which just isn’t the same anymore. The racing hoons have taken over, and you can’t even camp freely there unless you pre-book a designated spot, only to end up elbow-to-elbow with other campers. It’s a far cry from what it used to be.
When it comes to beach camping, we folks from NSW can’t help but envy those in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia—they’ve got some of the best camping options in all of Australia, if not the world!
Then, one day, I stumbled upon a YouTube video. This vlogger was passing through Port Macquarie, and while the place didn’t seem like much at first, the fact that you could camp on the beach with a campfire got my attention. So, I thought, “Why not?” If it turned out bad, at least I could say I tried.
Well, after visiting, I’m happy to say I’ve found my new favorite camping spot in all of NSW.
I left Sydney at 6 a.m. and arrived in Port Macquarie around 10 a.m. Thanks to light traffic, the four-hour drive flew by. After a quick fuel stop at the BP just off the freeway, I headed to the Settlement Point North Shore Ferry, which was only a 15 minute drive away from the BP service Station.
To reach North Shore Beach, you need to catch a ferry that runs every 30 minutes across the river. It’s only $14 for a return ticket. Once I crossed the river—a quick five-minute ride—I still had no idea where I was going since there’s not much info online about this hidden gem. But I kept driving, hoping for the best.
After another short five-minute drive, I spotted an off-road track. It wasn’t marked, and I wasn’t sure if it was private property or a path to the beach. Taking a chance, I drove down it. The track was narrow and overgrown, and if you’re protective of your vehicle’s paint, this might not be the trail for you—my 4WD definitely picked up a few "adventure scars" along the way. But after about 10 minutes, I spotted an opening, and I knew I had made the right choice.
What awaited me was absolute paradise. I had the entire beach to myself—no other 4WDs in sight! I could hardly believe my luck. I deflated my tyres to 15 PSI and headed north along the beach.
As you drive, you’ll notice several campsites tucked along the beach, reminiscent of those on Moreton Island. I found the perfect spot, set up camp, and took a dip in the ocean. The water was warm and crystal clear—ideal for a refreshing swim.
After a few swims, I fired up my Rockarmor 12v Airfryer to cook lunch and got a campfire going for the slow-cooked lamb shoulder I had planned to cook over the next eight hours. By the time the lamb was ready, I was in a food coma, drifting off to sleep under my awning tent, lulled by the soothing sound of waves crashing on the shore.
The next morning, I brewed a coffee and enjoyed breakfast on the beach. I chatted with a local fisherman who suggested I head further north to explore more secluded beaches. Following his advice, I packed up and set off, discovering beach after beach, each more stunning than the last. If you’re a surfer, this place is absolute paradise!
I could go on, but I’ll leave it here. If you want to discover this hidden gem for yourself, you’ll just have to head out there and experience it. Trust me, it’s worth it.
