Acacia Flat Campground
Lake Yarrunga, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, Australia
On a small promontory jutting into Lake Yarrunga this beautiful bush campground at Acacia Flat is the perfect place to set up for some serial swimming. Surrounded by 240-degree water views, the other 90-degrees are taken up by natural bushland. You’ll be perfectly placed to enjoy the show first thing in the morning as the campgound has a perfect view of the sunrise, when beautiful swirls and eddies of early morning mist rise from the lake. As the sun rises higher (or even if it doesn’t: this place is beautiful even on a cloudy day) the lake turns into a playground for short dips or long-distance swims in its peaceful, power-boat free, waters.
Acacia Flat campground from the water
How To Get There: Drive north out of Kangaroo Valley Village on the Moss Vale Road. Just after Hampden Bridge turn left onto Bendeela Road. This becomes Jack’s Corner Road at Bendeela Pondage and then turns into a dirt road (although it is often passable in a 2WD vehicle). Continue on Jack’s Corner Road until you see a parking bay on the left for 3-4 cars next to a fire trail. Be sure to choose the fire trail rather than one of the private driveways which are marked. Follow fire trail and head downhill. After 100m go around a National Parks locked gate and continue to follow fire trail to campsite. It is around a 1.6km hike from the dirt road.
Difficulty of access: 4/10 – It’s a dirt track but usually passable in a 2WD vehicle at low speed. Then it’s about a 1.6km walk through the bush down a slight incline to the campground.
Opening Times/Seasons: All Day/All Year but check for park closures here.
Entrance Fee: Free
Facilities Nearby: There is a fire pit and one drop toilet at the campground. More facilities are available in the town of Kangaroo Valley including public toilets and shops for basic groceries.
Other Activities: Rent canoes from Kangaroo Valley Canoes. You can do an overnight canoe trip picking up your canoe from Bendeela Campground, staying at Acacia Flat or one of the other lakeside spots for the night and then paddling to the dam wall where you and your canoe will be collected the next day. There is also horse riding with ‘The Man From Kangaroo Valley’ nearby.
Other Places of Interest Nearby: The charming rural town of Kangaroo Valley has a strong community atmosphere and is home to the Hampden Bridge, which is a historical wood and stone suspension bridge which has recently been restored. There is another swimming hole underneath the bridge. The valley itself is incredibly lush and green completely surrounded by dramatic sandstone escarpments.
Wildlife: Lace monitors, water dragons, heaps of birds including sea eagles, diamond pythons, and maybe wombats and platypus if you keep your camp peaceful.
Lace Monitor in the bush at Acacia Flat
Places to Eat: The Old Barrengarry Store on the outskirts of Kangaroo Valley has great pies and interesting local history and produce. It is also a heritage listed building. There are a couple of other pie shops in the valley as well as several restaurants.
Where to Camp: Right here! There is also another walk-in campground right on the lake at Beehive Point and a larger, more popular and busier drive-in option at Bendeela Campground.
Other places to Stay: There are many farmstays and B&Bs in the local area. Right on the lake is The Glasshouse, a modern timber and glass house with easy access to your own private swimming spot on the lake.
Nearby Towns: Kangaroo Valley, Berry, Bowral, Robertson.
Other Swimming Holes Nearby: Fitzroy Falls, Hampden Bridge.