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Bents Basin State Conservation Area

Overview

Visit Bents Basin State Conservation Area near Penrith and Camden for a school excursion or to go fishing, camping, swimming or picnicking.

Read more about Bents Basin State Conservation Area

Bents Basin, a deep waterhole that forms part of a gorge on the Nepean River between Camden and Penrith, is a perfect place for swimming, canoeing and fishing. If you’d like to keep your feet on dry land, relaxing by the basin is pleasant as well; it’s backed by a forested escarpment which rises dramatically from the water’s edge. After a tasty picnic or barbecue lunch, take the walk up to Caleys lookout for views of the area – be sure to keep your eyes peeled for native animals and birds long the way.

Bents Basin State Conservation Area is a great place to visit on a daytrip and if you’d like to stay longer, bring your tent or caravan along to set up camp under the stars. If you’re interested in finding out more about the park’s landscape, plants and animals, be sure to arrange a guided tour with a ranger.

Highlights in this park

Bents Basin campground. Photo: John Yurasek

Stay

Bents Basin campground

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Green grass and trees in Bents Basin Road picnic area. Photo: John Yurasek

Picnic

Bents Basin Road picnic area

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Grass, trees and picnic tables in Durawi picnic area, Bents Basin State Conservation Area. Photo: John Yurasek

Picnic

Durawi picnic area

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Staircase on Caleys lookout track. Photo: John Yurasek

Walk

Caleys lookout track

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Common wombat. Photo: Steve Townsend

Volunteer

Bents Basin wombat program

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A family walk a boardwalk section of Bouddi coastal walk, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH.

Conservation program:

Saving our Species conservation program

Saving our Species is an innovative conservation program in NSW. This program aims to secure as many threatened species that can be secured in the wild as possible, for the next 100 years.

Mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus). Photo: Cate Aitken

Contact

  • in the Sydney and surrounds region

  • The park gates open at 9am all year round and close at 4.30pm (May to Sept) and 7pm (Oct to Apr).

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay and display machines that accept both coin and card.

    Buy an annual pass.
  • More
See more visitor info

Links

In this park:

Things to do (4)

Camping and accommodation (1)

Volunteering (1)

Nepean River, Bents Basin State Conservation Area. Photo: John Yurasek