Doon Goonge campground
Chaelundi National Park
Overview
If you enjoy self-sufficient camping, head to remote Doon Goonge campground in Chaelundi National Park. Located near Nymboida, you can swim, walk and picnic at this 4WD-only campground.
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Don't mind a short walk to tent |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, toilets |
| What to bring | Drinking water, cooking water, firewood |
| Group bookings | Bookings for up to 9 sites and 40 people can be made online. School groups and commercial tour operators can submit a group booking enquiry form. |
| Please note |
|
Pitch your tent or park your camper trailer at Doon Goonge campground and get back to nature surrounded by the wild terrain of Chaelundi National Park.
Spread across cleared flats in the northern section of Chandlers Creek, the campground is a good place to cast a line, have a bite to eat or choose your own path and explore the nearby Chaelundi Wilderness Area.
You’ll need to come well-prepared as this is a remote campground and conditions can change rapidly. However, self-sufficient campers will be rewarded by the solitude – you may get lucky and have the place all to yourself.
Also see
-
Dalmorton campground
Located near the historic town of Dalmorton, this campground is a great base for exploring walks in Guy Fawkes River State Conservation Area or for swimming and fishing in Boyd River.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/doon-goonge-campground/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Coffs Harbour office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6652 0900
- npws.coffscoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 4/32 Edgar St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Park info
- in Chaelundi National Park in the North Coast region
Non-wilderness parts of Chaelundi National Park are always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Doon Goonge campground.
Getting there and parking
Doon Goonge campground is in the northern part of Chaelundi National Park. You'll need access codes to pass through the locked park gates. You'll get the access codes after you book. If you have not received your code, contact 13000 72757 before setting out.
Access for camper trailers is recommended from the west via Quartz Road off Chaelundi Road.
To get there from Armidale:
- Take Armidale-Grafton Road to Dundurrabin
- Turn left onto Sheep Station Creek Road
- Turn left onto Chaelundi Road, past the Misty Creek Road turn-off, past Stop-a-Bit, past Goldfields Road, until you reach the turn-off onto Quartz Road on your right.
- Soon after crossing over Marara Creek, you will reach Doon Goonge campground.
Please note that the former eastern access to Doon Goonge campground, Shannon Creek Road, is blocked due to 2 major bridges being destroyed by bushfires.
Road quality
- Doon Goonge access roads are subject to rapidly changing and variable conditions which must be assessed by skilled, experienced drivers.
- The road is unsealed and includes creek crossings
- All-wheel drive low clearance vehicles are not recommended
- Vehicles must not drive off the formed access trail
- Check the weather before you set out as the road to Doon Goonge campground can become boggy when it rains.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Chaelundi National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Photography of forest and cycads fruiting.
Spring
Wilderness bushwalking along Chandlers Creek gorge.
Summer
Remote camping, fishing and swimming in Chandlers Creek.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
28°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
43.8°C
Winter temperature
Average
21°C and 24°C
Lowest recorded
-2.2°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
274.3mm
Facilities
- The campground is unmarked with room for about 7 camper trailers, campervans or tents. There is also a tent only area bounded by bollards, suitable for about 3 tents.
- There are no shower facilities and no power in the campground
- Water is not available at this campground.
- Rubbish bins are not available, so please take all rubbish with you.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Fires are permitted in the designated fire rings only.
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty. There is a ramp to access the toilet but no handrails inside.
Permitted
Chemical toilets are permitted but don't empty its contents into the compost toilets or surrounding areas.
Amplified music is permitted but please be considerate of your fellow campers.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted between 1 November and 31 July only. Fines may apply outside this period. A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters. In order to protect the diminishing numbers of endangered eastern freshwater cod, you're required to release them if caught.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Generators
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Doon Goonge campground is in Chaelundi National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Ancient pathways
Chaelundi National Park lies within the territory of the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people. Many of the ridgelines within the park are considered to be of high cultural significance to local Aboriginal people as traditional travelling routes. Survey work of the Aboriginal cultural sites within the park has recorded scarred trees, a stone tool quarry and numerous open campsites and artefact scatters.
Living and thriving
The diverse forest environments and substantial old-growth sections make the Chaelundi National Park areas ecologically unique. The park harbours around 18 threatened animal species, including the rock wallaby, stuttering frog and regent honeyeater.
Mountain of gold
By 1872, there were over 500 people living in Dalmorton, working numerous gold reefs in the area. Evidence of this gold-mining history includes vertical and horizontal mine shafts of several abandoned gold mines. Mining finally ceased in the 1930s. There is also a long history of timber harvesting within the Chandlers Creek basin extending back to the late 1800s, with cedar-getting followed by logging of hoop pine up until 1930. Small shelters can still be found dotted along the landscape as remnants of the industry.
Waiting just for you
Fire trails twist and turn through scenery for mountain bikers to zip through, offering spectacular views to the river below. Crisp, fresh scents moisten the air on approaching a waterfall or creek. You can relax here with a cooling dip before heading to sizzle your sausages by the riverbank campsite. Car touring on forest roads outside the wilderness zone are ready for exploration by 4WD.