Worimi National Park

Camping

Campgrounds

Stockton Bight

Fire/closure alerts currently apply to this location. See details below.

  • People intending to camp at Stockton Beach in the Worimi Conservation Lands over the coming Christmas and New Year season will need to make alternative arrangements, as camping remains closed while the area continues to recover, following severe winter storms.
  • The beach is still open for people to visit, and there are a large variety of commercial tours available daily. Log on to www.worimiconservationlands.com.
  • Camping closures were put in place following storms in June 2012, the largest to hit the beach since 1974. The 2.3m storm surge resulted in major flooding over and behind the frontal dune, damaging and exposing Aboriginal sites, killing beach vegetation and damaging large areas of dunes where visitors normally camped.
  • While some natural replenishment of sand has occurred on the frontal dunes, they are not stable enough to take the pressure of campers returning – or to guarantee that a storm does not again wash them away.
  • Despite considerable effort it has not been possible to find and develop alternative camping areas that ensure the dunes, beach and cultural sites are looked after, and that campers are safe from inundation during high tides and large swells.
  • The Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management and the NPWS remain committed to seeing a return to camping on the lands, but need to ensure that camping areas do not damage Aboriginal sites, are safe and sustainable. The provision of camping opportunities on the park is addressed in the Draft Plan of Management for the Worimi Conservation Lands, which is scheduled for public viewing and comment in early 2013.
  • People can still fish at night, but camping, including camping structures, tents or swags, are not permitted. 
  • Rangers will patrol the park during the holidays including early morning and late evening, and will be targeting illegal camping and access. On-the-spot fines and/or prosecution apply.
  • For more information call NPWS at Nelson Bay on (02) 4984 8200.  For information on alternative accommodation options call the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre on 1800 808 900 or visit www.portstephens.org.

Getting there: You can get to Stockton Bight via Lavis Lane at Williamtown, or Gan Gan Rd at Anna Bay

Contact: Nelson Bay, Phone: 02 4984 8200


Events, activities and alerts at this location
Closure

Camping at Stockton Beach remains closed until further notice

Camping remains closed while the area continues to recover, following severe winter storms.

The beach is still open for people to visit, and there are a large variety of commercial tours available daily. Log on to www.worimiconservationlands.com 

Camping closures were put in place following storms in June this year, the largest to hit the beach since 1974.  The 2.3m storm surge resulted in major flooding over and behind the frontal dune that damaged and exposed Aboriginal sites, killed beach vegetation and damaged large areas of dunes where visitors normally camped.

Whilst there has been some natural replenishment of sand back onto the frontal dunes, they are not stable enough to take the pressure of campers returning – or to guarantee that a storm does not again wash them away.

Despite considerable effort it has not been possible to find and develop alternative camping areas that ensure the dunes, beach & cultural sites are looked after, and that campers are safe from inundation during high tides and large swells. 

The Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management, and the NPWS remain committed to seeing a return to camping on the lands, but needs to ensure that camping areas do not damage Aboriginal sites, are safe and sustainable. The provision of camping opportunities on the park is addressed in the Draft Plan of Management for the WCL, which is scheduled for public viewing & comment in early 2013.

Rangers will patrol the park during the holidays including early morning and late evening, and will be targeting illegal camping and access.  On-the-spot fines and/or prosecution apply.

For more information call NPWS at Nelson Bay on (02) 4984 8200.  For information on alternative accommodation options call the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre on 1800 808 900 or visit www.portstephens.org