The Basin
The Basin
4.5
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4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
8
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Kyle D
4 contributions
Dec 2019
Excellent camping place or day visit in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with easy access to good facilities and supplies. Vehicle access from Terrey Hills. Very calm and picturesque.
Free roaming native animals. Excellent electric bbq and covered areas for other day-only events.
Very worthwhile trip on the ferry across from Palm Beach but get to Palm Beach early. This place can fill quickly and early
Free roaming native animals. Excellent electric bbq and covered areas for other day-only events.
Very worthwhile trip on the ferry across from Palm Beach but get to Palm Beach early. This place can fill quickly and early
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ILYA_PACH
Sydney, Australia93 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
There are 2 ways to get here either 2.5km hike from parking in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park or 20 mins by ferry. Ferry is the easiest way, but rather expensive with $15 return ticket per adult and $7 for child. The parking in Palm beach is also expensive $20 per day and gets full very quickly. Your best option would be to come earlier, unload next to the ferry docks and look for a free street parking. It would take you around 15 extra mins to find free parking and get back to the ferry.
Once you get to the Basin, it's a beautiful place with a lot of wildlife including wallabies, goannas, pelicans, bush turkeys, bandicoots (at night), ducks, yabbies, jelly fish (harmless) and small sting rays (harmless).
I give it 4 out of 5 just because of the average campground. Campground gets full and carrying all the camping gear to/from ferry is no fun. The hiking trail is very steep.
Once you get to the Basin, it's a beautiful place with a lot of wildlife including wallabies, goannas, pelicans, bush turkeys, bandicoots (at night), ducks, yabbies, jelly fish (harmless) and small sting rays (harmless).
I give it 4 out of 5 just because of the average campground. Campground gets full and carrying all the camping gear to/from ferry is no fun. The hiking trail is very steep.
Written 28 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,280 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
The Basin is located just off Palm Beach in the Northern Beaches in Sydney. This little beach is a real gem, tucked away in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park access is by ferry from Palm Beach Wharf. The Basin campground is located on the western foreshores of Pittwater in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park opposite Palm Beach.
The ferry departs on the hour between 9am - 5pm from Palm Beach Wharf. It is a favourite for many as it offers a camping ground with showers and toilets. The beach is netted and very sheltered and protected from any wind.
Other facilities include fabulous picnic spots with gas / electric BBQ's (free) , fresh water, public telephone, showers, & change rooms. There are NO cars allowed at The Basin.
There are plenty of moorings available if you have a boat. Most boaties like to moor here if a strong southerly is blowing to shelter from the wind.
There are some excellent walks through the National Park, which start from the back of the showers. Please take your own food and water, as there are no shops at the Basin. In summer time, a motorboat shop comes in from Palm Beach with the basic essentials.
Ferries run hourly from Palm Beach Wharf 9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday. 9am-8pm Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Bookings are essential for camping - Daily Entry Fees and Landing Fees apply at the Basin campground.
The ferry departs on the hour between 9am - 5pm from Palm Beach Wharf. It is a favourite for many as it offers a camping ground with showers and toilets. The beach is netted and very sheltered and protected from any wind.
Other facilities include fabulous picnic spots with gas / electric BBQ's (free) , fresh water, public telephone, showers, & change rooms. There are NO cars allowed at The Basin.
There are plenty of moorings available if you have a boat. Most boaties like to moor here if a strong southerly is blowing to shelter from the wind.
There are some excellent walks through the National Park, which start from the back of the showers. Please take your own food and water, as there are no shops at the Basin. In summer time, a motorboat shop comes in from Palm Beach with the basic essentials.
Ferries run hourly from Palm Beach Wharf 9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday. 9am-8pm Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday. Bookings are essential for camping - Daily Entry Fees and Landing Fees apply at the Basin campground.
Written 20 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TarnNZ
94 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
I thought it was going to be quite special but it was a let down. Staff alittle stuck up and un friendly. We ordered 4 entrees for 2 people for lunch and felt pressure from waitress to order a main. Two entrees were beautiful. Other two average to poor.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan G
Sydney, Australia12 contributions
Jan 2019
The Basin is a safe, well set up, family campground.
Situated in Kuringai Chase National Park, it is has wildlife, native bush, and lots of things for kids to do. You need to prebook your campsite, online and in advance of your visit. it cost us $100 for 2 adults and 2 x teens for two nights January 4 & 5. The rangers check your booking on arrival and frequently walk the site as well. The campground is setout on a flat area extending from the beach side on the east to the rock wall on the west.
Accessible by ferry from Palm Beach, or by road + hike* from West Head road.
We went by ferry $50 retrun for 2 x adults, 2 x teenagers. others had used a local barge for hire to deliver heaps of camping gear - 8 people max & a ton of stuff for $75 each way. other option by water would be water taxi - there are numerous mobile numbers posted at palm beach and the basin for water taxi services.
Facilities on site
toilets
showers (cold only)
bbqs - free
camp laundry and dishwashing area, which also houses numerous vending machines such as (as of january 2018)
drink vending machine - about 50% softdrink/water - accepts coins and notes
phone charging kiosk - capacity for at east 16 phones at a time - pay per phone per 15min block - i think it is $2 for 30 minute charge - automated payment machine accepts paypass & notes (not sure if it accepts coins)
snack vending machine - chips chocolate but also some healthy options
ice cream vending machine
coffee vending machine
Situated in Kuringai Chase National Park, it is has wildlife, native bush, and lots of things for kids to do. You need to prebook your campsite, online and in advance of your visit. it cost us $100 for 2 adults and 2 x teens for two nights January 4 & 5. The rangers check your booking on arrival and frequently walk the site as well. The campground is setout on a flat area extending from the beach side on the east to the rock wall on the west.
Accessible by ferry from Palm Beach, or by road + hike* from West Head road.
We went by ferry $50 retrun for 2 x adults, 2 x teenagers. others had used a local barge for hire to deliver heaps of camping gear - 8 people max & a ton of stuff for $75 each way. other option by water would be water taxi - there are numerous mobile numbers posted at palm beach and the basin for water taxi services.
Facilities on site
toilets
showers (cold only)
bbqs - free
camp laundry and dishwashing area, which also houses numerous vending machines such as (as of january 2018)
drink vending machine - about 50% softdrink/water - accepts coins and notes
phone charging kiosk - capacity for at east 16 phones at a time - pay per phone per 15min block - i think it is $2 for 30 minute charge - automated payment machine accepts paypass & notes (not sure if it accepts coins)
snack vending machine - chips chocolate but also some healthy options
ice cream vending machine
coffee vending machine
Written 24 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
binDunc
94 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
The basin in pittwater is one of the best kept camping secrets in Sydney, The reason why it's so amazing is that there are simply no cars so your kids can truly free range camp. The other reason is the wildlife. there are Wallabies, Kookaburras and goanna lizards everywhere. The fishing is great too, if you don't mind catching littlies.
Written 14 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frangipanil65
Queenstown, New Zealand39 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
This is such a special place to spend the day with wallabies and lizards roaming around. It is only accessible be boat or ferry and the gas BBQ facilities there are great. There is a lagoon to swim in and the bathrooms are spotlessly clean. We have so far only spent the day here but if I had to go camping this would be the place I would choose to go to!
Written 3 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brook R
Sydney, Australia207 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
The Basin is one of the Pittwater's beautiful anchorages and sheltered particularly from southerly winds. There are plenty of moorings some of which are specifically for yacht club members and highlighted as such. Ashore in the NW corner is a campsite with fireplaces for overnight stays. There is a regular ferry service from Palm Beach and barges can also be arranged to convey large groups with amounts of camping equipment.
Written 19 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global_Traveller_Syd
Sydney, Australia128 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
Great weekend away camping! It was full when we camped, but there was still space around as it is very huge. It also makes a great day trip with bush on one side and calm flat waters on the other. I've already been there thrice but will probably go again!
If you are camping, you can book online. Take the ferry from Palm beach or walk the 2.8 kms from Kuringai Chase. West Head Rd. There are easy BBQs, clean showers and potable water. There is also a few vending machines inc one which had hot drinks and boiling water. All good things when you are camping!
Also lots of wildlife! Wallabies come right up to the tents, possums and monitor lizards and loads of birds. Definitely a Camping 101 experience to be had!
If you are camping, you can book online. Take the ferry from Palm beach or walk the 2.8 kms from Kuringai Chase. West Head Rd. There are easy BBQs, clean showers and potable water. There is also a few vending machines inc one which had hot drinks and boiling water. All good things when you are camping!
Also lots of wildlife! Wallabies come right up to the tents, possums and monitor lizards and loads of birds. Definitely a Camping 101 experience to be had!
Written 17 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viv
Bangkok, Thailand28 contributions
Oct 2018
Lovely campground with lots of space. Barbeque facilities are cleaned daily and the rangers are SO helpful - especially when you're camping in a downpour and your tent gets flooded and they let you sleep in the cottage! (Which is haunted, but that's another story)
Would have liked more campfire spots - the ones they do have are lovely for big parties or for sharing with other friendly campers. The highlight for us was probably how friendly all the other campers and rangers were!
The wildlife is insane - you will be tormented by bush turkeys and the wallabies will go inside your tent if you leave it open! They also like to poop just outside the tent opening....
Pack light cos it's an effort to get there either by ferry or walking! Great place for families as the beach and lagoon are very calm. Will go back when it's sunny!
Would have liked more campfire spots - the ones they do have are lovely for big parties or for sharing with other friendly campers. The highlight for us was probably how friendly all the other campers and rangers were!
The wildlife is insane - you will be tormented by bush turkeys and the wallabies will go inside your tent if you leave it open! They also like to poop just outside the tent opening....
Pack light cos it's an effort to get there either by ferry or walking! Great place for families as the beach and lagoon are very calm. Will go back when it's sunny!
Written 30 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there bush walking tracks and how do you get to this place by car?
Written 25 June 2019
How crowded does the campsite get around Boxing Day (26th Dec?)
Written 1 November 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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