If you are looking for a campground near Sydney where you can set up the tent, spend time by the river and still feel like you have escaped the city, Cattai Campground is well worth considering.
Located inside Cattai National Park on the Hawkesbury River, the campground has plenty of open space and is suitable for tents, camper trailers, campervans and caravans. It is an easy option for a weekend camping trip with friends, especially when you do not want to spend half the weekend driving to your destination.
What Cattai Campground Is Like
The first thing we liked about Cattai was the amount of space.
Instead of feeling packed into a small campsite, you have grassy areas surrounded by trees and bushland, with the Hawkesbury River nearby. It gives the campground a relaxed atmosphere that works really well when you are camping with a group.
There is enough room to set up your tents, chairs and cooking area and actually enjoy hanging around camp rather than feeling like you need to leave all day to find something to do.
Kangaroos are also regularly seen around the campground. Other campers often mention the wildlife as one of the highlights, although mosquitoes are something worth preparing for as well.
Camping Beside the Hawkesbury River
The river is a big part of what makes this campsite enjoyable.
You can spend the morning relaxing around camp, head down towards the Hawkesbury River during the day and come back to your setup for food and a quiet afternoon.
Fishing, canoeing and kayaking are among the activities available around the campground. If you are planning anything on the water, remember that river conditions can change and normal water safety precautions are important.
For us, the river setting is one of the main reasons to choose Cattai over a basic inland campground.
A Great Campsite for Groups of Friends
Cattai works particularly well when you are camping with friends.
You can bring your own food, set up a BBQ and spend most of the trip around the campsite without needing an elaborate itinerary. There is plenty of room for walking and bike riding, and the open setting makes it easy to enjoy a slower weekend outdoors.
Online bookings are available for groups, while larger groups may need to make a separate group booking enquiry.
That makes Cattai a good option for a social camping weekend while still keeping the experience relaxed.
Facilities at Cattai Campground
This is not completely stripped-back bush camping.
The campground has flush toilets, hot showers, barbecue facilities and a camp kitchen with washing-up facilities. There is also mobile phone coverage. Sites are unpowered, and water available at the campground should be treated before drinking.
That combination makes Cattai a good middle ground. You still get the outdoor camping experience, but having a hot shower and proper amenities makes a weekend stay much more comfortable.
There is no dump point, and campers should take their rubbish with them when leaving.
Campfires and Cooking
Sitting around camp and cooking together is one of the best parts of a group camping trip.
Fires are permitted in designated barbecues or suitable portable off-the-ground barbecues when conditions allow, and you need to bring your own firewood. Fire restrictions can change, so always check current conditions before your trip.
If there is a total fire ban during your stay, plan your cooking setup accordingly rather than relying on a campfire.
Wildlife Around the Campsite
Expect to share the area with wildlife.
Kangaroos are one of the most memorable parts of camping at Cattai, particularly early in the morning when the campground is quieter. The river and surrounding bushland also attract plenty of birdlife.
Enjoy watching the animals, but do not feed them. Food should also be stored securely rather than left sitting around your campsite.
And definitely pack insect repellent. Mosquitoes are worth preparing for when camping beside the river.
Getting to Cattai Campground
Cattai Campground is reached from Wisemans Ferry Road via Caddie Road.
The access includes a mixture of sealed and unsealed road, but the campground is generally accessible by 2WD vehicles. Parking is available within the campground.
One thing you need to know before arriving is that the national park is locked overnight, so it is a good idea to check the current gate opening hours before your trip.
Check-in and check-out times also apply, so make sure you confirm these when making your booking.
What to Bring
Cattai has more facilities than many bush campsites, but you still need to arrive prepared. We would bring drinking water, food, cooking equipment, insect repellent, torches, camping chairs and all of your normal sleeping gear.
If fires are permitted and you want one, bring your own firewood. It is also worth carrying enough water for drinking and cooking rather than relying entirely on campground supplies.
For a summer trip, insect repellent would be high on our list.
Things to Know Before You Book
Cattai is a family-friendly campground and quiet hours apply at night. Pets are generally not permitted, apart from certified assistance animals.
A separate national park vehicle entry fee may also apply in addition to your camping fees.
Because opening conditions, fire restrictions and campground availability can change, check the official NSW National Parks information before leaving.
Check Cattai Campground information and bookings
Our Cattai Campground Review
Cattai is the kind of campground we would choose when the goal is simply to get a group together and enjoy a weekend outside.
The Hawkesbury River setting, open space, wildlife and useful facilities give you enough comfort without taking away the feeling of actually going camping. Hot showers are a definite bonus, particularly if you are staying more than one night.
The main things we would prepare for are mosquitoes, bringing enough drinking water and checking fire restrictions before leaving home.
If you want a campsite for a relaxed weekend with friends, BBQs, wildlife, river views and plenty of time sitting around camp, Cattai Campground is an easy one to recommend.
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