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We stayed at both campgrounds in Mount Kaputar National Park over the Easter long weekend, as neither had availability for our full stay. Both are great, but they offer different experiences. If you’re planning to go camping in Mount Kaputar National Park, here are some tips to choose the right campground for you.
Quick comparison: Bark Hut vs Dawsons Spring
| Criteria | Bark Hut Campground | Dawsons Spring Campground |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | ~1,200 m – slightly warmer temperatures | ~1,400 m |
| Size & sites | 12 shady unpowered sites (9 tent, 3 trailer). Not always flat. A mix of a few individual bays and larger open areas with separation between sites (great for groups). | 17 shady unpowered sites (including 7 suitable for trailers). Flat, dedicated tent pads. Mostly smaller sites with less privacy. |
| Facilities | Clean facilities (access via stairs only) with hot showers and flush toilets, but in an open-air design. No proper dishwashing area. Covered gas barbecue area. | Excellent facilities (among the best we’ve seen in a national park) with hot showers (time-limited), electricity, dishwashing sinks and covered gas barbecue area. |
| Walks from campground | Euglah Rock lookout (very short). Kaputar Plateau Walk nearby (fire trail, less interesting) | Dawsons Spring Nature Trail, Mount Kaputar Summit track, Bundabulla Circuit and multiple lookouts |
| Phone reception | Not consistent. Telstra mostly worked but other networks were patchy. | Very good for all of us |
Planning a camping trip? I’ve put together a detailed guide to the camping gear we use and recommend after years of camping around Australia – a great place to start if you’re preparing your setup or upgrading your gear.
Our tips for choosing a site at Bark Hut campground
Trailer sites are essentially set up like a small car park. While it means it’s flat, it’s not the most scenic and it has little shade. If you have a tent, avoid booking a trailer site – you won’t be able to put your pegs in the bitumen.
We stayed at site 2. It looked very small at first, but we actually really liked it. It felt more secluded, with no direct neighbours, even though a few people walk past during the day to access the lookout.
Some other sites felt more exposed, with less vegetation between you and your neighbours. Site 12 would be our least favourite, with views over the trailer parking area. Site 7 sits below the trailer area, so while it looks further away from other spots, it doesn’t feel very secluded, and you’d have to walk through site 6 or 8 to get to it. Site 1 is quite large and looks like it has no neighbours, but it actually has very little vegetation around it, so overall we preferred site 2.
Our tips for choosing a site at Dawsons Spring campground
Sites are generally laid out in a row, with limited vegetation between them, so it’s not the most secluded campground overall. If you like privacy, site 16 looked like the best option to us with only one neighbour. I quite liked site 6 too. Sites 15 and 17 are also good options for fewer neighbours, but slightly further from the car. Tent sites have a dedicated flat area, which is actually a big plus if you want an easy setup.
Site 14 is convenient if you want to be close to your vehicle. And if you’re sleeping in your car, site 3 looked like a great option (flat and quite large). Site 1 was disappointing: not flat, small, no table.
Planning to visit Mount Kaputar National Park over a long weekend? Check out our itinerary!
Which campground should you choose?
Choose Bark Hut if:
- You value privacy and space
- You prefer slightly warmer temperatures
- You don’t mind driving to the walks
Choose Dawsons Spring if:
- You want the best facilities
- You want to go hiking directly from the campground
- You don’t mind colder nights
- You want to see more wildlife
Did you go camping in Mount Kaputar National Park? Share your tips in the comments below!
Tips for camping in Mount Kaputar National Park
There are a few important things to know before camping in Mount Kaputar National Park.
The closest town is Narrabri, about 45 minutes to 1 hour away, depending on where you stay in the park and how confident you are on winding roads, and the time of the day, as you’ll want to slow down to keep the wildlife safe. It’s best to stock up there before heading into the national park.
The most important one is that there’s no drinking water available, so make sure you bring everything you need for your stay. There is non-potable water for washing dishes and showering.
Because of the altitude, it can get quite cold, especially at night, even outside of winter. At the same time, the sun is still strong during the day, so don’t forget sun protection.
Wildlife is very active in the park, particularly at dusk and during the night. Make sure you don’t leave any food or valuables outside, otherwise the nosy wallabies or kangaroos and even goats may come and check them out. And, once again, be extra careful when driving.
If you’re planning to have a campfire, bring your own firewood and always check fire bans and other alerts before your trip. Restrictions are common over summer in this dry forest and were in place until the end of March – a few days before Easter when we visited.
Finally, book your campsite early if you’re travelling over a long weekend. Sites are limited and fill up quickly, as we experienced during Easter.
Responsible travel tip: It’s important to leave no trace when camping and if you plan to have a campfire, make sure you’re familiar with these tips to minimise your campfire impacts.
Where are the campgrounds in Mount Kaputar National Park
Both campgrounds are accessible with a 2WD, and most of the road is sealed. However, expect a slow drive due to the winding road, fallen rocks and wildlife, especially as you get closer to the top. Caravans and large motorhomes are not permitted on Kaputar Road, and the narrow sections may not feel comfortable if you’re towing a trailer – it’s mostly a single road with a few zones on the side in case you pass another vehicle.
If possible, avoid driving up late in the day or at night. Wildlife is very active, and we had to drive very slowly on the way up.
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