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School camps near Sydney

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Unforgettable school camps near Sydney

Sydney schools, it’s time to go beyond the ordinary! Give your students an adventure packed with big challenges, new experiences and plenty of Bush Camp Magic.

We’re the adventure-packed school camp experience your students will talk about for years to come. Just a short trip from the city, our four NSW locations, Camp Wombaroo, Lake Macquarie, Kincumber, and Tea Gardens, put us right in reach for anyone searching for school camps near Sydney without sacrificing the space, bushland and activities of a true regional escape.

We’ve spent years building programs that work for teachers as much as they do for students. Every school camp near Sydney we run is designed around your goals, whether that’s curriculum outcomes, personal growth, or simply giving young people a break from routine in the great outdoors. 

From high ropes and giant swings, to canoeing on calm waterways, our range of activities is bigger than any other outdoor education provider in the country.

Why schools choose us

We know there are plenty of options out there, so here’s what sets a Sydney camp with The Great Aussie Bush Camp apart:

  • Unrivalled activities: our sites offer more adventure activities than any other outdoor education centre, including high ropes, giant swings, canoeing, abseiling and archery.
  • Tailored experiences: every camp is customised to your school’s goals, so students stay challenged, engaged and supported from the first activity to the last.
  • Expert instructors: our team brings energy, experience and genuine care, guiding students through hands-on learning in a supportive environment.
  • Facilities built for groups: our sites are set up for school groups and youth groups of every size, with accommodation, catering and activity spaces designed to run smoothly from arrival to departure.

Our locations close to Sydney

Our four closest camps give schools across Sydney and the surrounding areas easy access to the great outdoors: 

  • Lake Macquarie sits around an hour north of Sydney on the shores of Dora and Stockton Creek. It’s our smallest site, but the open space and riverfront setting make it feel like your school has the whole bush to itself. Students can rise above the treetops on the power fan or zip through the bush on the flying fox.
  • Kincumber is just over an hour from Sydney on the Central Coast, right on the shores of the Kincumber Broadwater. Spread across 50 acres of bushland, it’s built for schools that want variety, with raft building, archery and the rock-climbing wall all on offer alongside two giant swings.
  • Tea Gardens is our original and largest site, about two hours north of Sydney near Port Stephens. With 64 activities across the property, from the dual flying fox over Lake Ivan, to abseiling, staple climb and off-site options like sea kayaking, it’s the pick for schools wanting the widest possible range.

  • Wombaroo is just outside Sydney in the Southern Highlands, surrounded by 100 acres of open paddocks and native bushland. With activities including high ropes, the giant swing, canoeing and raft building, it’s a great choice for schools looking to build confidence, teamwork and resilience in a classic Australian bush setting. 

Programs designed around your school’s outcomes

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all school camps. Our team works directly with teachers to build a program tailored to your school’s needs, whether that’s curriculum-aligned learning, leadership development, or wellbeing support.

If curriculum outcomes are the priority, we’ve got options like Life Ready, Anti-Bullying programs and Rock and Water, all of which slot into your camp alongside our regular adventure activities. These programs give teachers a way to tick off learning outcomes while students are busy having the time of their lives on high ropes, in canoes or working through team challenges.

Every activity runs on a “challenge by choice” approach. That means students decide how far to push themselves, with instructors right there to encourage the next step. It’s how we help young minds build confidence at their own pace, rather than forcing everyone through the same experience.

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    Facilites, catering and accommodation for school groups

    Running a smooth camp comes down to the details, and we’ve built our sites with school groups in mind. Accommodation is set up to comfortably accommodate large groups, with dorm-style rooms, communal spaces, and dedicated teacher and leader areas at every location.

    Catering is handled on site, with meals designed to keep energetic students fuelled between activities. We cater to a range of dietary requirements, including coeliac, vegetarian, halal and lactose intolerance, and we’re allergy-aware across our kitchens.

    Our facilities include dining halls, recreation spaces, campfire areas, and activity zones spread across each site. 

    Everything is designed to make life easier for teachers, so you can focus on your students instead of the logistics!

    Adventure activities that build confidence and teamwork

    Our range of activities is bigger than anywhere else in Australia, which means there’s genuinely something for every student. Heights lovers can take on our high ropes course, giant swings or the power fan, while others might prefer ground-based favourites like archery, bushcraft or fossiling.

    Water-based activities are a highlight across all four sites, from canoeing and raft building to the dual flying fox over Lake Ivan at Tea Gardens. Team challenges run throughout every program, giving students a reason to communicate, problem-solve and support each other, skills that carry well beyond camp and back into the classroom.

    We also run evening activities and campfire programs, because some of the best memories happen after the sun goes down. Whether it’s a talent show, a night walk, or simply sitting around the fire with new friends, these moments help build the connection that makes a school camp memorable.

    LOCATIONS

    All our amazing camps

    Hear from
    our happy campers

    Kingsgrove North High School
    Tea Gardens

    Hannah Reid

    Thank you for an unforgettable three days. It was a wonderful camp and our students were buzzing with excitement the entire time. I am deeply grateful for your support and professionalism throughout the process, especially in the planning stages. Your understanding and dedication are greatly appreciated, and you clearly understand the nuances and complexities of schools.

    I genuinely look forward to collaborating with you again and have already been singing your praises to anyone who will listen. Thank you once again – you are all amazing.

    Canley Vale High School
    Kincumber

    Sarah

    I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your team for the amazing experience you provided during our recent excursion. From your valuable advice and assistance with bookings to catering and activities, your support was instrumental.

    I also want to extend my gratitude to all the instructors who were not only professional but also approachable, motivating, and dedicated. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was wonderful to see students who usually remain inactive fully engaged and smiling throughout the activities. Your flexibility and commitment to making everything run smoothly were greatly appreciated. Thank you once again for everything.

    Tea Gardens

    Mrs Cruiser

    We went here on a school camp. Absolutely brilliant. The staff went above and beyond making the trip special for the students. The activities are amazing, giving the students lots of different things to try. The staff explained everything in great detail making it humorous so the students were always engaged. The staff amenities were great, our room, the meals and general experiences were fantastic just adding to an already great experience. Absolutely highly recommend.
    Kincumber

    Greg Friend

    First rate. The activities are challenging, fun and well designed. The staff are tremendous, displaying a passion for what they do along with a great rapport with the students. The food for the staff was top shelf. Thanks guys.
    Tea Gardens

    Jodi Davison

    We have had the best 3 days, our very high needs girl didn’t stop almost every activity could be modified for her. Great wheelchair access. Extra staff to help with the giant swing. The staff were next level amazing, thank you for a wonderful experience.
    Kingswood High School
    Tea Gardens

    Danielle Remaili

    Thank you for everything. By far the best camp and most organised in every aspect. A well-oiled machine.
    St Andrew’s College
    Kincumber

    Nathan Weaver

    We are very impressed with the quality of experience that was provided. Also, we are thankful to the staff who were all outstanding in their care and management of our students.
    Central coast Sports Public School
    Tea Gardens

    Sophie Dryden

    The service provided to us was fantastic. We appreciated how kind and organised our instructors were to the kids to help them have fun and build/strengthen their relationships with their peers.
    Kincumber

    Liz Whiteley

    We went as a small school group and it was so great. The instructors were amazing. They all had great energy and delivery. As teachers, we all loved the night guard aspect and the food was top notch for staff and students. All of my kids had a great time too!
    Kincumber

    Tanya Sundfeld

    Amazing camp. The instructors are fantastic with the kids. The teachers are really like after. Nothing is too difficult and they are always checking in to make sure everything was going well and to see if there was anything that we needed or they could do for us. The activities were so much fun. Their challenge by choice philosophy is great. It allows the children to feel safe enough to try new things but without the pressure. Such a brilliant camp.
    Kincumber

    Year 7 Domremy Catholic College

    On behalf of year 7, we want to say a huge thank you for giving us such an incredible camp experience! Your guidance, patience, and encouragement made all the difference and we truly appreciate everything you did to support us.

    You pushed us beyond our comfort zones, challenged us to try new things, and helped us discover strengths we never knew we had. These are the experiences we would never have had without you and we will carry these memories with us for a long time.

    Thank yor for making camp so much fun, exciting and unforgettable.

    Kincumber

    Tori Henderson

    Had a great time out here! Instructors Emily and Toby were so friendly and fun to hang with. Definitely made some long lasting memories. Activities were good and instructors were able to salvage a night where the weather had ruined the commando games. Food was what you’d expect from a camp and definitely not the worst I have had so wasn’t complaining there. Rooms were okay, mattresses were thin but we were lucky to have a small group so we doubled them up. Overall a great experience!

    FAQs about our school camps near Sydney

    How far are your camps from Sydney?

    Our closest site, Lake Macquarie, is around an hour north of Sydney, with Kincumber a little further at just over an hour. Tea Gardens is our furthest site North, about 2 hours away, but it’s also our largest, with the widest range of activities on offer. Camp Wombaroo sits just outside Sydney in the Southern highlands, which is around an hour and half if you are in the CBD.

    What age groups do your school camps cater for?

    We run programs for primary and high school students, with activities tailored to each group’s age and ability. Our instructors tailor the level of challenge so every student, from year three through to year 12, gets a program that suits them.

    Can you cater for dietary requirements?

    Yes, we cater to coeliac, vegetarian, halal, lactose-intolerant and severe allergies. If your school has specific dietary needs, get in touch with our team ahead of your visit so we can plan accordingly.

    How do you decide on the school’s activity program?

    Our programming team builds your activity schedule in consultation with your school, based on the outcomes you want to achieve. We take year level, group size and any curriculum priorities into account before locking in the plan.

    Do you offer curriculum-aligned programs?

    We do. Programs like Life Ready, Anti-Bullying and Rock and Water can be added to your camp alongside our regular adventure activities, giving teachers a way to meet learning outcomes without cutting into the fun.

    Ready to book your next school camp near Sydney?

    Join the schools across NSW who choose The Great Aussie Bush Camp for an experience their students won’t stop talking about. Contact our friendly team for further information, and let’s start planning a school camp near Sydney that your students will remember for life!

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