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If you’re planning a camping trip to Gibraltar Range National Park, you’ve got three main options: Mulligans campground, Boundary Falls campground, or camping just outside the park on private land. We spent three nights at Mulligans and also visited Boundary Falls to compare. Here’s some info to help you choose the best option for your trip.
What to know before camping in the park
A few things apply no matter which campground you choose inside Gibraltar Range National Park:
- You need to book your campsite online in advance
- Campground fees apply, plus national park entry fees
- It may get busy during long weekends, so book early if you want to pick the best site
- There is very limited phone reception in the park (we had none with Telstra or Optus at both campgrounds), so it’s recommended to download offline maps on your phone
- Conditions can be cool and misty due to the altitude
- You’ll have to drive on unsealed roads, which were in good condition when we visited, but it can slow you down if you’re in a 2WD.
Tip: If you’re planning to visit multiple NSW national parks in the region (for example, there are some great ones near Tenterfield), it can be worth looking into a Country Parks Pass for the year.
What to pack for camping in Gibraltar Range National Park
For a full gear list, I’ve got a section on our camping gear on the blog. But for this park specifically, make sure you don’t overlook these items:
- Drinking water – water is available at camp, but not safe for drinking. We like having water bags that don’t take up space when empty.
- Hot shower option – only cold showers are available, so a solar shower bag with a good shower pump can make a big difference for comfort.
- Rain protection – always pack wet-weather gear, as rain and fog are common in Gibraltar Range and conditions can change quickly. The forecast wasn’t very accurate when we visited, and we were very glad we set up our Cool Cabana first thing to stay dry.
It doesn’t always work out perfectly with timing, but we liked stopping in Grafton (or Glen Innes if you’re coming from the other direction) to stock up on local groceries before heading into the park. It’s a great way to pick up fresh veggies and meat to cook over the campfire, and we like supporting local towns.
Each campsite has a fire pit with a cooking tray, but we personally prefer bringing our own grill – it’s easier to clean and makes cooking a bit more convenient.
Mulligans vs Boundary Falls vs Hipcamp: which one should you choose?
- Mulligans campground – best base if you want to camp in one place and go hiking without needing your car
- Boundary Falls campground – better for a short stay focused on seeing the waterfall
- Hipcamp (outside the park) – best for potentially better weather and phone reception
If you’re new to Hipcamp, here’s a coupon code that will give you (and me!) $10 credit for your first stay: ELOISET668EFD.
Mulligans campground: best for hiking and longer stays
Mulligans is the larger campground and works best if you want a proper base for a few days. The main advantage is that walking tracks start directly from the campground, so you can leave your car parked the entire time. We had no reception at all, so plan for a fully offline stay. It makes the whole experience feel slower and disconnected. There are signs around the campground indicating that quolls live in the area, but unfortunately we didn’t see much wildlife at the campground during our stay.
The campground had clean amenities with toilets and showers, but the showers are cold, so you may want to bring your own shower equipment. We enjoyed the sink for washing dishes, it always makes things simpler. Firewood was available when we visited (it’s not guaranteed), and there are also covered gas barbecue.
One of the most well-known hikes nearby is towards The Needles, which you can access from this side of the park. If needed, we had phone reception at the lookout.
Campsite tips
All sites seemed flat and quite enjoyable. However, we enjoy a bit more privacy when we camp, and based on that, our favourite sites were:
- Site 12 – most private, good space and not far from the toilets and the walking paths
- Site 11 and 5 – also offering good privacy
Boundary Falls campground: small and simple
We didn’t stay at this campground but had a look after doing the short walk to Boundary Falls (really worth it). It is much smaller and felt more basic than Mulligans (no showers).
We saw a lyrebird near the day-use area, which was a nice surprise, but found the walk to the Lyrebird waterfall not that exciting. Overall, there’s not much else to do directly from camp. That’s why I think it works best if you’re on the move and only staying one night.
Hipcamp outside the park
If phone reception is important for you, or if you want a chance for warmer, lower-altitude conditions, you may want to look for options outside the park on Hipcamp. But you’ll need to drive into the park every day.
Have you camped in Gibraltar Range National Park? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where is Gibraltar Range National Park?
Gibraltar Range National Park is located in northern New South Wales, roughly halfway between Grafton and Glen Innes. The park is known for its cool rainforest climate, dramatic granite landscapes, waterfalls, and hiking trails. It was a great destination to avoid crowds during a long weekend from Brisbane.
