Camp Blackman is a well-equipped campground in Warrumbungle National Park. It is an excellent base for exploring the park and the surrounding area.
Warrumbungle National Park offers many activities, including bushwalking, general sightseeing and amateur astronomy, as it is in a dark sky area.
The campground is located 27km east of Coonabarabran. It can be accessed via good-quality roads from the east and south.
As the campground is located in a national park, you must be self-contained if using your own facilities. However, toilets and showers are provided.
Pets are not permitted.
Fires are permitted in the supplied fire rings, but you must bring your own wood.
Camp Blackman Campground Quick Facts
| Campground Name | Camp Blackman: Warrumbungle National Park |
|---|---|
| Nearest Town | Coonabarabran |
| GPS | 31°16'35.24"S 148°59'49.27"E |
| Access Road | Sealed |
| Number of sites | 119 |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Water | Yes (drinking only) |
| Dump point | Yes |
| Power | Yes |
| Pets | No |
| Tents | Yes |
| Fires permitted | Yes |
| Telstra coverage | Yes |
| Optus coverage | Yes |
| Cost | $24 unpowered, $34 powered |
| Booking | Book |
Campground Layout and Features
Camp Blackman has 109 campsites in three areas, each designed for different camping experiences and equipment. The areas are close to each other: Areas 2 and 3 are adjacent, with area 3 a little to the north. Each area is based around a loop road.
Campsite 1 has 37 smaller sites designed for tents and camper trailers. The area hosts the main ablution block, water taps and picnic tables. All sites are unpowered.
Campsite 2 hosts tents, camper trailers and caravans on 39 sites. It has a BBQ area, picnic tables and water taps. The sites are mostly unpowered, but five provide power. Toilets are provided at the far end of the area from the abolition block in area 1.
Campsite 3 has 33 sites designed for caravans. All sites but nine provide electricity. Sites do not have water hookups. There are water taps in the area. The area also has a dump point and BBQ tables. No toilet facilities are provided.
The image below contains the maps for each of the camping areas. For a larger version click the image.
The facilities at this campground are very new and clean. They have been replaced after the 2013 bushfire.
Access to drinking and non-potable water is restricted. Come with full tanks. Drinking water is taken from tanks.
The showers are hot, but they are on a strict timer. Once the button in the shower is pushed, you have three minutes to finish your business. You can not push the button for another three minutes unless you want to wait for the timer to reset (I didn’t test how long that period is). As a result, I suggest getting yourself and everything ready before pressing the button.
A dump point is provided in camping area 3.
The main information for the national park is a short drive away.
You must book your stay before arrival. The cost per site is $24 unpowered and $34 powered. There is also a small booking fee. You can book using NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website and selecting Search availability. We found it possible to book an extra night while we were there but you shouldn’t count on it.
Camp Blackman Campsite Location
The camping area is easily accessed from Coonabarabran via Timor Rd and John Penshaw Parkway. It is a distance of 36km.
What to Watch Out For at Camp BlackmanCampground
We found no issues with this campground.
You should be aware that the camping fees do not include the park entry fee, which is an additional $8 per vehicle per day. During our stay, nobody checked to see if this fee had been paid.
Final Words
We had a great stay at this campground. The facilities are wonderful, and the campsites are spread out enough. We ended up staying an extra night.