Eight glorious weekends away under $50

So, payday came, and you got a bit excited. "Treat yo’ self!", you said. "You need the extra side of guacamole", you said. "It won't hurt!", you said. Except now that the weekend’s rolling in, the account balance is looking, umm, a little sad and empty.

But there's no reason that should stop you from having all the fun. It’s time to say hello to these eight next-level weekends away, each of them in the most beautiful natural surrounds, and each of them possible with less than fifty bucks*. Yes, you read that correctly.

Lane Cove caravan park is the Nintendo Switch of campsites. It’s. Got. Everything. Beyond the standards like BBQs and showers, this spot’s got WiFi, a pool and power points so you can charge up your phone (extremely important considering how many photos you’ll be taking). In short, this park is for campers who like it comfy. The real highlight, though, is the scenic Riverside walking track, which serves up some next-level riverside picnicking and adorable water activities like pedal boating (cue that romantic moment from The Notebook.)

It’s a measly 25-minute stint from Sydney city, so you have literally zero excuses not to take your other (better) half for a cute waterside weekend away.

The details:

• Powered and unpowered sites available.
• Sites are suitable for tents, camper vans and camping beside your vehicle.
• This campground is managed by Discovery holiday parks - book online.

This is one of Sydney’s most prized camping spots for a reason. Actually, several reasons: this Ku-ring-gai gem has a gorgeous beach, spectacular ocean views and an inland lagoon perfect for floating around on an inner tube (pro tip: mix up a delicious beverage in a plastic cup beforehand and an ultra-chill afternoon is your reward). While you’re there, make sure you hit The Basin track and Mackerel track – home to one of Sydney’s best Aboriginal art sites. A must do in the area is the Aboriginal Heritage walk - more on it here.

The details:

• If arriving via car – please note that a park use fee applies at $12 per vehicle per day.  There's a 2.8km walk from West Head Road carpark to get to and from the campground.
• If arriving via ferry – landing fees are included in your camping fees.
• This campsite is tent/remote backpack camping only as there is no vehicle access. No powered campsites available. 

Check availability and book here.

This is a great campsite with all the amenities and plenty of flat ground to pitch a tent, which is totally great. But what we should really talk about is how magical this place is.

Walking around Cattai National Park is about as close as you’re gonna get to stepping back in time. The park is overflowing with prehistoric vegetation – like red bark, stringy bark, paper gum and cabbage gums – that you can immerse yourself in as you walk down the Mitchell Park tracks. (Look out for signs: each part of the track is named for the tree springing up around it.) On top of that, there is stacks of colonial history to explore, like the Cattai Homestead and historic farm buildings.

The details:

• Rates and availability are displayed when making an online booking.
• Cattai National Park is locked overnight, including the campground. An emergency after-hours gate code will be included in your booking confirmation.
• Site accommodates tents, camper trailer sites and camping beside your vehicle.
• Park entry fees are not included in camping fees.

Check availability and book here.

Heaven is 40 minutes from Newcastle. Just 55 metres from Frazer Beach, this sublime little campground boasts some of the best views you’ll ever get from a tent. You’ll be waking up to the tranquil sounds of the ocean beckoning you to take that morning swim (bring your surfboard, too), before you immerse yourself in rainforest as you trek the Palms loop track beneath a lush canopy. Happy days.

The details:

• This campground has gated access. Please check the park opening hours as entry/exit will not be possible after closure.
• Sites are marked, unpowered and suitable for up to six people.
• Site is suitable for tents and camping beside your vehicle.
• Park entry fees are not included in your camping fees.

Check availability and book here.

Get it right this weekend as you camp in unspoiled bushland near the beautiful Birdie Beach. Freeman’s campground is just 40-minute drive from Newcastle and under 2 hours from Sydney and has a stack going for it, including some seriously good whale watching opportunities at the Tea Tree picnic area and lookout. Check out the surf here, then paddle out before you cook up a tasty BBQ lunch.

The details:

• This campground has gated access. Please check the park opening hours as entry/exit will not be possible after closure.
• Sites are marked, unpowered and suitable for up to six people.
• Site accommodates tents, camper trailers, caravans and camping beside your vehicle.
• Park entry fees are not included in your camping fees.

Check availability and book here.

Just an hour from Newcastle (2 hours and 40 minutes from Sydney) lies your new favourite getaway. This riverside retreat is all about wholesome pastimes like fishing and birdwatching: basically it’s exactly what you need to counteract spending too many weekends out on the town. And the best part? You'll only have to pay a $6 booking fee, so you can spend your pennies on extra marshmallows instead. The crowning jewels of the area are the glorious black cockatoos that you can watch from the comfort of your tent as they feed along the river’s edge, and there are plenty of furry friends like possums and bandicoots to encounter among masked owls in the bush. Help keep our wildlife wild #dontfeedit.

The details:

• Site is suitable for tents, camper trailers and camping beside your vehicle.
• This is a remote campground, so please make sure you arrive well-prepared

Check availability and book here.

Nearby lies another waterfront gem: Little Mountain campground. At this remote riverside spot surrounded by dense forests, you’ll find opportunities to enjoy everything from kayaking and swimming to cycling and 4WDing. As dusk sets in, look out for swamp wallabies, and brush-tailed and ring-tailed possums as you snuggle up in your sleeping bag. See, the best things in life really are free.

The details:

• Suitable for tents, camper trailers and camping beside your vehicle.
• Sites are unmarked and unpowered.

Check availability and book here.

It’s called Bangalow campground, but Sherwood Forest is probably a more apt name for this epically chill camping ground. Parked deep within Watagans National Park (2 hours north of Sydney), this earthly delight is shaded by tall blue gums and blackbutt trees.

But it’s not all about lounging around (if you don’t want it to be): there are plenty of mountain biking tracks and challenging hikes like Turners walking track to get your blood pumping. In the cooler months, remember to bring some firewood along to keep you and your pals nice and toasty. (Friendly reminder: don’t pick up firewood in the park as, not only is this a no-no, little creatures often set up camp in them.) We can almost hear the crackle of the fire now. Last, but not least: scoping out Monkey Face lookout is a must. The views over Martinsville Valley are like an impressionist painting IRL.  

The details:

• Suitable for tents and camping beside your vehicle.
• Sites are not marked or powered.
• This is a remote campground, so please make sure you arrive well-prepared.

Check availability and book here.

*Prices based on the minimum daily rate, which includes the first two campers per night.