Camping
Each of our private bush campsite locations have been hand-selected for their private location and remote feeling. Each campsite gives you the feeling that you’re the only person on the property – with no other campers in sight!
$40 /site/night (2A 2C)
Private Bush Campsite
Each campsite gives you the feeling that you’re the only person on the property – with no other campers in sight! There are no amenities in the bush campsites so you’ll either need to bring your own camping toilet and shower or it’s a short drive back to the amenities block at home base.
Spacious sites, suitable for any setup or offraod ability (or lack of!). Choose from a 4WD or 2WD access site when you book.
$40 /site/night (2A 2C)
Shared Communal Campsite
A large, flat communal camping area within easy walking distance to the toilet and shower block. The communal area is massive, and has no size restrictions, so you can fit as many friends and vehicles in your group as you like, without encroaching on anyone else’s space.
Easy access for all vehicle types, including caravans of all shapes and sizes.
Camping near Sydney
Things to know before your trip
Our private bush campsites have no facilities, so you will need to bring everything with you – and take everything with you. This includes cooking facilities, camping toilet, and bathing set-up. Or, you’re welcome to drive back to the home-base to use the amenities (5-10min depending on your campsite).
ALTERNATIVELY – you are most welcome to camp at our base camp in a large shared camping area. A large shared area with plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Just a short walk from our toilets and showers.
Here’s a 360 degree view of one of the large shared (communal) campsite areas.
Please see our campsite rules and regulations for full information.
Both camping options require campers to BYO drinking and dish-washing water, and rubbish must be taken home with you as there are no bin services.
- BYO Water
- Take rubbish home
Camping Guidelines
The Chapman family kindly opens their property to campers who are seeking a quiet weekend away in the Australian bush. We ask all visitors to do their part to ensure that we don’t ‘love the bush to death’ but rather learn to respect and understand its opportunities and constraints.
Please respect the family property by following these guidelines.
Campsite:
- To protect the land, avoid camping in low or poorly drained areas where soil or vegetation may be easily damaged; look for harder ground or sandier soils.
- Use tents which don’t require trenches and which are self-supporting. Tying tent ropes to trees can easily ringbark trees and cause them to die.
- Where possible, ensure enclosed footwear is worn – especially if bushwalking – to help prevent injuries from sticks, rocks and of course snake and spider bites!
Toilets:
- Use toilets where provided.
- If using your own toilet, please ensure you take all waste with you.
- Alternatively, dig a hole at least 30cm (12 inches) deep. Bury waste including paper (but not plastic bags) under the soil to encourage decomposition and to discourage animals – far away from the campsite.
FINES APPLY FOR TOILET WASTE LEFT BEHIND
4WDing
- Please ask us for permission before exploring the property. There may be other activities happening on the property that you need to know about (no-one wants a tree fallen on their car!).
- All vehicles must be Registered and have Comprehensive Car Insurance.
- Use only defined roads and tracks as off-road driving may lead to tyre punctures, getting lost, bogged, hurt or stranded.
- Drive slowly around wildlife and cattle.
REMEMBER – We use these tracks for Horse rides, so please drive slowly and BEWARE OF HORSES especially on corners.
Rubbish
- Take all rubbish with you. If you carry it in – carry it out! Bring plenty of rubbish bags for this purpose.
- Do not bury rubbish as animals will dig it up.
- Do us a favor and pick up other people’s rubbish if you find it. Thank you.
FINES APPLY FOR RUBBISH LEFT BEHIND.
Fire
- Notify us if you intend on lighting a campfire.
- Burn only fallen dead wood that can be collected from around your campsite (no chainsaws!).
- Keep the fire small to reduce the risk of it spreading.
- Please do not put glass in the fire! Once you head home, our friendly cattle like to examine the coals, and often cut themselves if bottles and other glass have been thrown in.
- Be sure your fire is extinguished before departure –use water! Check it several times – to be absolutely sure. If a fireplace is still warm, it is NOT out. Don’t just cover it – dowse it with water!! (fines apply if campfire is left unattended throughout your stay or smouldering after you leave).
- Be aware of total fire ban days. (Ask us!) During a Total Fire Ban, you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or carry out any activity in the open that causes, or are likely to cause a fire. If in doubt, don’t light it. Save yourself the fines and the embarrassment; Lighting a fire on a day of Total Fire Ban attracts an on the spot fine of $2,200. If the matter goes to court, you could be fined up to $5500 and/or 12 months gaol. Penalties for a fire that escapes and damages or destroys life, property or the environment can attract much greater fines and gaol terms with maximums at $132,000 and/or 14 years gaol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pushbikes, yes. Motorbikes, no.
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What others are saying
Chapman's has been hands down the best trail riding experience that I've had in Australia, it is so worth the trip and realistically is not that far from either Sydney, Central Coast or Newcastle.
We wanted something that would give us the freedom to trot, canter, and really enjoy the Australian landscape on well-cared-for horses. Chapman Valley delivered that and so much more!
Not a typical nose-to-butt trail ride. Chapman valley horse riding was one of the best horse riding experiences I’ve had to date.
The horses are so well cared for, the saddles are good quality and comfortable, the staff and guides are lovely (and organised) and the food is great.
What sets Chapman Valley apart is the staff - they are absolutely wonderful! So friendly and welcoming, you get the feeling you're staying with family
These guys are fanatical about horse welfare and guest safety, the guides are helpful but never intrusive and cater for all levels of riders.
We had such a great time on the 3-day cattle muster. The accommodation was beautiful, guides we very friendly and accommodating, horses very well cared for.
I have never seen the Milky Way so clearly other than being in the middle of ocean. Do it!
A very nice quiet stay in a beautiful surroundings. Nice flat and grassy camp site and very friendly staff.
Amazing location and experience. No reception is GREAT. Ideal getaway. Lovely team and family run business.
Our family enjoyed horse riding, marshmallow roasting, taking in the wildlife and cows roaming, slowing down and 4WDing on the tracks.
I did the 3 day cattle muster and loved it! They take you all over the property and you get to ride and find cattle on all sorts of terrain.
The campsites were well-maintained and offered plenty of privacy. I loved hiking the nearby trails and enjoying the peace of nature.
Magical scenery, walking tracks, some 4wd tracks all of which are all marked out and easy to follow