There are campgrounds with better facilities. There are campgrounds that are easier to book. Pretty Beach is neither of those things, and it remains one of the most genuinely lovely places to sleep on the entire NSW coast.
The campground sits right behind the beach — a sheltered, north-facing arc of sand in Murramarang National Park that catches the morning light perfectly. The bush comes down close to the sites, which are a mix of cleared and semi-shaded spots. None of them are huge, but the layout is generous enough that you don’t feel squeezed in.
What makes Pretty Beach famous is the kangaroos. Eastern Greys come down to the beach at dawn in numbers — sometimes a dozen or more grazing along the sand while the light turns pink. It’s not a zoo trick; they’ve just been doing it for years. Set an alarm, walk the thirty steps to the beach, and watch quietly. Don’t feed them and don’t crowd them, but absolutely go.
The beach itself is excellent for swimming — calm enough for kids most of the time, with a small reef at the southern end worth snorkelling if you’ve got a mask. The water clarity here is genuinely good.
Access is via Murramarang Road off the Princes Highway, with a short unsealed section at the end that’s perfectly manageable in a 2WD. Caravans under about 7m are generally fine; anything larger gets awkward on the final stretch.
No fires, no exceptions. There’s a reason the park looks this good. Solar showers are cold-ish but functional. Bring your own firewood for nothing — gas cooker is what you need.
The booking situation is brutal: summer weekends and school holidays fill months out. Check the NPWS booking system regularly for cancellations, or aim for shoulder season (April–May, September–October) when it’s still warm and far less crowded.
National Park pass required — purchase online before you arrive.