The Ruins campground and picnic area
Booti Booti National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the The Ruins campground and picnic area.
Getting there and parking
The Ruins campground and picnic area is located in Booti Booti National Park.
To get there from Forster:
- Follow The Lakes Way for 15km towards Pacific Palms
- Turn left into the campground
To get there from the Pacific Highway near Bulahdelah:
- Follow The Lakes Way for 45km
- Turn right into the campground
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
- Tent and drive-on campsites allow for 1 vehicle to park directly on the site.
- Tent only campsites provide parking for a maximum of 2 vehicles next to the site.
- There's limited additional parking at this campground in informal grass and gravel carparks.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Booti Booti National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
See the park's magnificent wildflower displays as they bloom across the heathlands.
Summer
Swim at the seasonally patrolled Elizabeth Beach or kayak in Wallis Lake while staying at the nearby The Ruins campground.
Winter
Visit Cape Hawke lookout to watch whales migrating off the coast.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 30°C
Highest recorded
45.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
5°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
-5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
280.2mm
Facilities
Campsites are marked, unpowered and suitable for motorhomes, caravans, camper trailers, campervans and tents.
Toilets
There are accessible flush toilets in the amenities block at the northern end of the campground. There's also another accessible toilet at the southern end of the campground.
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
There's a pavilion in the main part of the campground that has picnic tables, barbecues and dishwashing facilities. There's also a separate picnic area that has a barbecue shelter and picnic tables.
All picnic tables and shelters are set on concrete slabs. You'll need to cross over grass to reach them from your campsite.
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Carpark
Drinking water
Showers
There are accessible hot showers in the amenities block at the northern end of the campground.
- Hot showers
Rubbish bin
Rubbish and recycling bins are available at the campground.
Step-free access
The campground is mostly flat and there's step-free access, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over grass to reach the campground's facilities.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- The campground is mostly flat and there's step-free access but no pathways. You'll need to cross over grass to get from your campsite to the campground's facilities.
- There are accessible toilets and showers.
- There are accessible picnic tables set on concrete slabs.
Prohibited
- Amplified music is not permitted
- Possession or use of fireworks is not permitted
- Please don't tie ropes to trees. It can cause damage which may lead to tree removal and the loss of shade
- Please be considerate of other campers and keep noise low—noise must stop from 10pm.
- This is a family friendly campground. Visitors displaying anti-social, offensive or dangerous behaviour will be asked to leave the campground.
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
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.
Park info
- in Booti Booti National Park in the North Coast region
Booti Booti National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Day passes are available from the Manning Great Lakes Area Office or the Park'nPay app. You'll need a Day Pass or Annual Pass when visiting the park.
Buy annual pass