The Sink campground
Abercrombie River National Park
Overview
Relax in the shade of The Sink campground by Retreat River after an exhilarating day of bushwalking, swimming and 4WDing.
| Number of campsites | 5 |
|---|---|
| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Camping beside my vehicle |
| Facilities | Barbecue facilities, toilets |
| What to bring | Drinking water, cooking water, firewood |
| Price | There are no camping fees at this campground but a $6 booking fee applies. |
| Group bookings | Bookings for up to 5 sites and 20 people can be made online. School groups and commercial tour operators can submit a group booking enquiry form. |
| Please note |
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Load up the 4WD and set off on an adventure to The Sink campground. Pitch your tent or trailer beside Retreat River and spend a glorious few days bushwalking and swimming.
If you’re a wildlife fan, all you have to do is sit quietly and wait. Wallabies, kangaroos, and emus will rustle in the bushes and could spring out at any time. Make sure you look up too – 60 species of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, can be spotted in these skies. Quiet, lucky visitors may also be rewarded with the sight of a platypus in the waterholes at dawn or dusk, a rare and special treat indeed.
This very tranquil spot among Argyle apple and tea trees is also a great place to recharge the batteries before heading out for some adrenaline-filled 4WDing or swimming in the Retreat River’s cool waters.
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/the-sink-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
- Oberon office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6336 6200
- npws.kanangra@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 38 Ross Street, Oberon NSW 2787
Park info
- in Abercrombie River National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and Country NSW regions
Abercrombie River National Park is 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 The Sink campground.
Getting there and parking
The Sink campground is in the southern precinct of Abercrombie River National Park. To get there:
- Take Tablelands Way/Abercrombie Road south from Oberon for 32km
- Turn right onto Isabella Road, 9km past Black Springs.
- Travel 25km through Vulcan State Forest on Blue Road to Arkstone Road
- Travel down Abercrombie fire trail to The Retreat trail turn-off
- Drive carefully down the steep track to the campground
- No river crossings if accessing via Arkstone entrance
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- All roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at The Sink campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for in Abercrombie River National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
The weather at this time of year is perfect for camping and hiking.
Summer
Bring your swimmers and take a dip in Abercrombie and Retreat rivers.
Winter
The days are crisp – snow falls in higher parts of the park – so pack on the layers, fire up the 4WD and explore some of those trails.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
9°C and 25°C
Highest recorded
34.5°C
Winter temperature
Average
0°C and 11°C
Lowest recorded
–10.5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
June
Driest month
March
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
200.3mm
Facilities
- Water is not available at this campground.
- Rubbish bins are not available, please take your rubbish with you when leaving.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Barbecue facilities
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
Gathering firewood
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
The Sink campground is in Abercrombie River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal culture
The ridgelines and rivers running through Abercrombie River National Park were once traditional travel and trading routes for the Wiradjuri and Gundungarra People. Evidence of open campsites can be found along the rivers and creeks in the park.
Action-ready
This is an environment built for adventure. One of the most popular activities in the park is 4WD touring. Some of the trails running along gorges and ridges can be pretty challenging, even for the experienced driver. For those with plenty of energy, you can also explore these trails on a mountain bike. The rivers and creeks, shaded by tall casuarinas, have plenty of deep waterholes. Pull on your swimmers and jump on in. Or perhaps you’ve got a canoe or kayak – bring it along because there are some good stretches for paddling.
Gold standard
Landscapes of deep gullies with rivers running through them – such as the one found at Abercrombie River – provide ideal conditions for loose gold. During the gold rush of the second half of the 1800s, the precious mineral was discovered here. Following the rivers and creeks you can find evidence – sluices and diggings – still there today.
Wild kingdom
All year round, this is a great spot to observe local wildlife. Kangaroos, wallabies and emus are seen throughout the park, and echidnas and wombats live on the slopes and river flats. The rivers and creeks are home to eastern water dragons and the shy platypus. In summer, you’ll hear the sound of frogs calling out near the creeks. There are also more than 60 species of birds around here – look for wedge-tail eagles soaring above Abercrombie trail.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
The swamp wallaby, also known as the black wallaby or black pademelon, lives in the dense understorey of rainforests, woodlands and dry sclerophyll forest along eastern Australia. This unique Australian macropod has a dark black-grey coat with a distinctive light-coloured cheek stripe.
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Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
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Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.