Sydney caravan parks near CBD: Which one should I choose?

The closest caravan parks to Sydney CBD are the Sheralee Tourist Caravan Park near Sydney Airport and the Lane Cove Holiday Park. The NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park on the Northern Beaches is also worth considering for campers and caravanners.

Exploring Australia in a caravan or campervan can be a great way to cover a lot of ground affordably. There are caravan parks and holiday parks all over the country, with sites often available for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room.

In regional Australia, where public transport can be limited, this approach to travel makes a great deal of sense. If you’re doing a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, driving up the west coast to Broome or taking the journey from Sydney to Byron Bay, then staying at holiday parks on the way is a smart plan.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Campervans in Australian cities

The problem comes in the places where having your own transport is a hindrance rather than a help. Having a caravan or campervan in a big city is, quite frankly, a complete nuisance. So, most travellers will pick a campervan up in the city, then get the hell out.

This is all well and good until you discover you’re passing through a big city for a few days and need somewhere to park the thing. If you’re driving up the east coast from Melbourne, you’ll probably want to see at least some of Sydney, for example. You’ll not be surprised to learn that caravan parks in Sydney are nowhere near the main tourist sights on Sydney Harbour or along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Caravan parks in Sydney: Northern Beaches

There are, however, several caravan parks in Sydney. Most of these are on the real outskirts of the city, more than an hour from the centre, and can be safely discounted. One of these is worth considering, however.

The NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park is just at the edge of Narrabeen, one of Sydney’s northern beaches. It is useless for exploring Sydney’s CBD, going on a street art tour or sailing on Sydney Harbour. But if you’re happy chilling out on the northern beaches and exploring between Manly and Palm Beach, it’s a decent option.

Holiday parks close to Sydney CBD

Sydney CBD, Australia — Somewhat unsurprisingly, there are no caravan parks in Sydney CBD. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

There are two caravan parks in Sydney that are closer to the centre, however. The closest holiday park to Sydney CBD is the Sheralee Tourist Caravan Park, which is in deeply unglamorous Rockdale. It’s on Muddy Creek to the south-east of Sydney Airport. Crucially, though, it’s a 1.5km walk away from Rockdale Station. It’s possible to ditch the campervan, walk to the station and be at Sydney Central within six stops. Powered sites cost $45 in high season.

Sydney caravan parks: Lane Cove Holiday Park

The other caravan park in Sydney worth considering is the Lane Cove Holiday Park. This is within the Lane Cove National Park, and acts as a bushland retreat near the middle of the city. It’s 10km from Sydney CBD and a 1km walk from the North Ryde Metro station.

Pull up your campervan or camp at Lane Cove, and there’s a good chance of seeing swamp wallabies, echidnas, kookaburras and water dragons around the campground. Glamping tents and cabins are also available, but powered sites cost from $55 per night.