Cod Hole campground and picnic area

Nymboi-Binderay National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Cod Hole campground offers the chance for remote riverside camping with excellent swimming and paddling, deep in the heart of Nymboi-Binderay National Park.

Accommodation Details
Number of campsites 6
Camping type Tent, Don't mind a short walk to tent
Facilities Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, boat ramp, carpark, toilets
What to bring Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings Book up to 12 people or 2 sites online.
Group bookings This campground is not suitable for group bookings.
Please note
  • Sites are marked. 
  • Only experienced canoeists should attempt the white-water sections of Nymboida River.
  • In order to protect the diminishing numbers of endangered eastern freshwater cod, you are obliged to release them if caught.
  • This is a remote campground, please arrive well prepared.
  • Always check for road closures before starting your journey. The weather can change quickly and the condition of unsealed roads in this area can change quickly with significant rain.
  • Access roads are 4WD recommended.

For a remote wilderness adventure deep in the heart of Nymboi-Binderay National Park on the Dorrigo plateau, head for Cod Hole campground and picnic area. This rustic camping spot offers the chance to really get away from it all, in magnificent wild river country, surrounded by lush forests.

Settle in to your campsite before heading to the river for a range of water-based activities. This river is best known for whitewater but when the river is relatively calm, head in for a swim. Rafting is a great way to explore and there’s a range of guided tours on offer.

Nymboi-Binderay is the Aboriginal name for ‘The mighty river’, and the local Gumbaynggirr People would paddle these waters. Scarred trees, where canoes were carved from the trunks, are dotted throughout the park.

As night settles in, cook up a storm over the fire. If you’re curious to meet the neighbours, grab a torch for the chance to see sugar gliders, spotted quolls and bettongs.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/cod-hole-campground-and-picnic-area/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Cod Hole campground and picnic area.

Getting there and parking

Cod Hole campground and picnic area is in the central precinct of Nymboi-Binderay National Park. To get there from Dorrigo:

  • Drive along Tyringham Road and turn right onto Moonpar Forest Drive
  • After 24km, turn left onto Moses Rock Road and left again onto Cod Hole Road.

Alternatively:

  • Take Megan Road from Dorrigo
  • Turn left at Cascade into Moses Rock Road
  • Turn left again onto Cod Hole Road

Road quality

  • This access roads to this campground are not suitable for caravans
  • Access roads are 4WD recommended
  • Check the weather before you set out as the road to Cod Hole campground can become boggy when it rains.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • All roads require 4WD vehicle

Parking

Parking is available at Cod Hole campground and picnic area.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Nymboi-Binderay National Park. One of the highlights of a visit to the park is a whitewater rafting trip down the Nymboida River. Spring is a great time to head out on a guided tour.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

18°C and 29°C

Winter temperature

Average

5°C and 20°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

March

Driest month

August

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

388mm

Facilities

Water is not available at this campground.

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Fire rings (bring your own firewood)

Boat ramp

Carpark

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Do not feed wildlife. Store your food and rubbish properly in secure containers to prevent access by wildlife.

Boating safety

If you're out on your boat fishing, waterskiing or just cruising the waterways, read these paddling and boating safety tips.

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

If you’re bushwalking in this park, it’s a good idea to bring a topographic map and compass, or a GPS.

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Paddling safety

To make your paddling or kayaking adventure safer and more enjoyable, check out these paddling safety tips.

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Permitted

Fishing

A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

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

Cod Hole campground and picnic area is in Nymboi-Binderay National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Ancient connections

Moonpar Forest drive, Nymboi-Binderay National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Nymboi-Binderay National Park is the traditional Country of the Gumbaynggirr People and their ancient connection to this land is evident throughout the park. The park's landscape provided a rich source of food, medicine and shelter for Aboriginal people and features strongly in cultural knowledge and Dreaming stories. As you travel through this park, take some time to think about the people who lived here and their strong attachment to this ancient landscape and all it contains.

Animal kingdom

A river through the trees in Nymboi-Binderay National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Nymboi-Binderlay has a diverse range of animals, including 68 types of mammal, 25 kinds of amphibian, 33 sorts of reptile and over 120 bird species; of these, at least 15 species are threatened. When you’re picnicking, camping or walking through the tallowwood and coachwood rainforests, be sure to keep your eyes open for the many native animals which call this place home.

  • Moonpar Forest drive Moonpar Forest drive is a 75km scenic car touring route near Dorrigo. It’s a great day out and an ideal way to explore the walks, riverside picnic spots, and sights of Nymboi-Binderay and Cascade national parks.
  • Norman Jolly picnic area Enjoy a picnic among tall old-growth trees and historic logging relics at Norman Jolly picnic area in Nymboi-Binderay National Park, not far from Dorrigo.

Waterworld

Forest reflecting in the river, Nymboi-Binderay National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

The Nymbodia River is a true highlight of Nymboi-Binderay National Park. The name of the park comes from Aboriginal language of the local Gumbaynggirr People; 'Nymboi' being their name for the river, and 'Binderay' meaning river. Rafting down the Nymboi River with an expert guide is an exhilarating experience and a fantastic way to take in the park's landscape.

  • Coachwood loop track The Coachwood loop track is a short and easy walk that starts and finishes at the Norman Jolly picnic area in Nymboi-Binderay National Park.
  • Moonpar Forest drive Moonpar Forest drive is a 75km scenic car touring route near Dorrigo. It’s a great day out and an ideal way to explore the walks, riverside picnic spots, and sights of Nymboi-Binderay and Cascade national parks.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • Koala. Photo: Lucy Morrell

    Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

    One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

  •  Superb lyrebird, Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

    With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

  • Southern boobook. Photo: David Cook

    Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

    The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.

Plants

  • Wonga Wonga vine. Photo: Barry Collier

    Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)

    The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.

  • Blueberry ash. Photo: Jaime Plaza

    Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus)

    The blueberry ash is a rainforest shrub which produces blue olive-shaped berries and spectacular bell-shaped flowers, which often appear on the plant together. It is a tall slender shrub or small tree found in rainforest, tall eucalypt forest and coastal bushland in eastern NSW, south-east Queensland and Victoria.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)