The Beach

Abercrombie River National Park

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Overview

The Beach, near Oberon, is a secluded place to camp by the Abercrombie River. Accessible only by 4WD, it’s perfect for touring, swimming and relaxing.

Accommodation Details
Number of campsites 3
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 Book up to 20 people or 5 sites online. For larger groups, make a group booking enquiry.
Please note
  • Sites are unpowered and not marked
  • Check the weather before you set out as the river crossings to this campground can become impassable when it rains
  • This is a remote campground, so please make sure you arrive well-prepared.
  • Noise restrictions apply

Looking for somewhere well away from everyone else to take the family for a few days break? The Beach – not surprisingly, given the name – is a campground on a stretch of sand by the water. Shaded by casuarinas, it’s sheltered by a wall of rock deep in the valley.

It’s a short stroll upstream from the campground to a deep waterhole that’s great for swimming. Take the opportunity while you’re here to explore Abercrombie River National Park in your 4WD or bring your mountain bike if you’re feeling energetic – the fire trails are rarely used, so are perfect for keen cyclists.

Wallabies and kangaroos are often seen hanging around The Beach and, although sightings are never guaranteed, platypuses live in waterholes along the river. They’re best spotted either as the sun rises or sets. If you’re here during spring – a beautiful time to visit Abercrombie River – look for the pretty yellow and red pea flowers (also called bacon and egg flowers) and the beautifully scented white blooms of the tea tree.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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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/the-beach/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about The Beach.

Getting there and parking

The Beach is in the southern precinct of Abercrombie River National Park. To get there:

  • Take Abercrombie Road south from Oberon for 32km
  • 9km past Black Springs, turn right onto Isabella Road.
  • Travel 25km through Vulcan State Forest on Blue Road to Arkstone Road
  • Follow Arkstone Road to Abercrombie River fire trail
  • Take the steep trail down to the campground (low 4WD recommended)

Road quality

  • 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 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, so please take your rubbish with you when leaving.

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Barbecue facilities

  • Fire rings (bring your own firewood)

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

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

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

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 Beach is in Abercrombie River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Aboriginal culture

Sink campground, Abercrombie River National Park. Photo: J Bros

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

Silent Creek campground, Abercrombie River National Park. Photo: J Bros

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

The beach, Abercrombie River National Park. Photo: J Bros

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

Peron's tree frog (Litoria peroni), Abercombie River National Park. Photo: Sascha Healy

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

  • Swamp wallaby in Murramarang National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    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.

  • Bare-nosed wombat. Photo: Keith Gillett

    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.

  • Eastern common ringtail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    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.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)