The Basin Picnic and Camping Ground

This is a great beach and camping area, with mountains all around. Access is by boat or trails. No vehicles allowed.
It’s not a pristine sand beach, more like sand based mud, but has nice calm clear water on the back harbour side. The place has lots of space to picnic and relax. Everything is clean. And the kids get to run after the wallaby (ies) when they hop by.
We went in by boat, which is a great way to arrive. There are lots of tent campers, most of which seemed to arrive and bring their gear in by boat. Several ferries service the area.

THE ultimate place to go camping in Sydney, the Basin is easily accessible and doesn’t take hours to get to. You can catch the ferry from Palm Beach and is fairly hassle-​free. It can be a little expensive in terms of the ferry fee but is nothing compared to fuel costs. Camping at the basin is lots of fun and there are plenty of amenities for it to be comfortable. Ferries regularly pick up and drop off passengers and there is a big toilet block and BBQ facilities on the camp ground. There are local shops as some people live permanently in The Basin. You can also drive your boat over or if you need to get there quickly, catch a water taxi (which is quite pricey). If you don’t like camping, then arrange a picnic. There’s lots to see and do at the Basin and makes a great day out for all. I have enjoyed many camping trips and picnics at the Basin over the years. It is the cheap alternate to an expensive holiday which isn’t hours away.

The Basin Picnic and Camping Ground is a fantastic place to spend a day… two days… three. really, as many days are you can.
Located in Ku-​Ring-​Gai Chase National Park, there are several different methods of arrival. You can drive in (although then must pay the $ 11per day vehicle entry fee into a national park), walk or cycle in (probably not advised if you’re to camp), get the ferry from Palm Beach Wharf, or take your own boat.
Once you’re there, pick a spot — any spot! — and set up for your picnic or camping experience. To camp costs $ 14 for an adult per night, and $ 7 for a child — not exactly a high-​budget holiday! The Basin has facilities for its campers, including the wharf, a coffee and ice boat that does the rounds, showers (cold water only) and bbq’s. There are also a raft of hiking trails to explore, bonfires to light (fire bans permitting) and of course, an entire body of water to swim in. Do be warned, there are a lot of sealice on Pittwater, and taking a cold shower after having been bitten isn’t a great experience.
The Basin is popular with families, teenagers and uni students; anyone who wants a break from real life close to home!