The 10km walk in to this remote campground is worth it for the serenity when you arrive. The hike in, along Canoelands Ridge walking track, offers stunning views of sandstone ridges and the Hawkesbury River. Once you arrive, it's time to relax by the river, spot sea eagles and wedge-tail eagles soaring above the trees, and catch a glimpse of lyrebirds and bandicoots who often visit at dusk and dawn. Gentlemans Halt is also a great place to explore by water. Paddle in by kayak or canoe, or anchor your boat and enjoy a night sleeping under the stars in this back-to-basics campground, north of Sydney. It's believed that Governor Phillip camped at Gentlemans Halt in 1789 during his explorations of Hawkesbury River. Today, you'll find it much the same - picturesque and remote bushland with great views across the river, and not a soul in sight. I love the history that surrounds Gentlemans Halt and yes it doesn't offer to much in the facilities side but the views are spectacular. Its only a 45 minute walk from Hawkesbury River Rural Campground with no mountain or rock climbing needed. The track between the two is for the best part flat with nothing but fallen branches and the odd boulder. The wildlife is fantastic too with all types of birds along the track, goannas sprinting up trees and of course wallabies hopping out when you least expect them. Anyway Hawkesbury River Rural Campground borders with the Marramarra National Park and like I said is only a 45/50 minute walk from Gentlemans Halt.
Restrooms
Toilets Composting toilet
Dog-friendliness
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted
Picnic area
Picnic tables Barbecue facilities Fire rings (bring your own firewood)

Do not underestimated the hike to this campground, tons of hills and unstable terrain that makes the trip not enjoyable at all. The 11km trail as stated on signs and online does not account for the 80m extremely steep mountain you have to climb, if you are not experienced at hiking this is extremely dangerous. To add onto that, the hills you come across are extremely annoying and as a group we had done hikes before, but this was by far the worst. It took us 4-5 hours to get past the mountain and towards the last 1km but the trail was not clear leading us to more bush and eventually had to turn back. Climbing the mountain felt like if we put one foot wrong it would probably be the end for us. Bring tons of water, we arrived at 11am got back at 8pm. Seeing the view for the first time was great, until you see it for the 18th time and looks like something that can be accessed by car at another campsite. We travelled approximately 27km and down the treacherous mountain and couldn't even reach the campground which by reviews looked semi-rewarding. Unless you are an experienced hiker who wants a challenge that tests your physical limits, just go by boat or canoe.

Good little camping ground. Best if you get a boat in, but a good conditioning hike for longer hikes. Hiking in is difficult as there is no fresh water at the location. Me and my partner hiked 15L of water in which defiantly doable if you are used to hiking with heavy packs. The first 7km are an easy stroll along a service trail, however the last 3km has a fairly steep rock scramble. I would recommend carrying in a minimum of 8L per person in summer as the weather was hotter then expected and we finished the hike out with very little water to spare. Would not recommend attempting to hiking in for inexperienced hikers. It can also be a little bit of a let down to see people with generators, flood lamps and children who have come in by boat after a difficult hike. Drop toilets at the camp ground.

My wife and I pack hiked to gentleman’s halt. The walk in was quite beautiful, particularly the last 1 or so kms where the terrain got more challenging and bushy, but that’s because we were no longer on the fire track. The fire track which makes the majority of the hike in is quite challenging, but no where near as lush as other bush hikes in the park. The campground itself is very peaceful, but alittle danky.. it’s not much of a vantage point nor is there much to do during the days in terms of hikes nearby. A good campground, I would say intermediate difficulty to approach, and a semi-enjoyable reward at the end. For a sydney hike it isn’t too bad but I would prefer and recommend going to the blue mountains.

Be warned if you are hiking in on a hot day to take a lot of water as this campsite have no fresh water. The Hawkebury River is brackish water which you can't drink, swimming in this river is also difficult as the current can be strong during certain times when tides are moving. Access to the river is not easy you will have to go though the muddy section via mangroves. If you are walking it take care on the final 1.8Km as the track is very steep and not well marked. This place have steel fire pit and pit toilets and that's it. You can also get in via boat or kayak.

Great place to camp. Composting toilet and fire pits a bonus. The salt pan and surrounding mangroves are amazing to see. When we were there people bought a dog and everyone else took wood from the surrounding bush for fires. Not impressed. This is a national park. Respect it or don't stay here. Come by canoe or boat and bring everything you need. We came by canoe and bought enough water and firewood to last 2 days. Have to add. The main marker shown on Maps is incorrect. This is the salt pan. The other marker shows the jetty.

Hiked in with packs and a decent amount of water, management trail is itself solid going with lots of steep but not to challenging sections. A bit loose under foot but after some rain this improved. After 8km you come off the trail and start heading down a track where there is a signpost for the final 1.7km after about 1km. Do not underestimate this final section, it's really a vertical decent akin to a waterfall and with packs very challenging. We started but quickly came to the conclusion it was too dangerous for us.

Lovely little campground- actually quite large, we camped for one night and there was another group there as well. Had plenty of space each, our own campfires and picnic tables. We paddled in from a wharf across the river, but I believe you can also hike in from elsewhere (unsure though). Easy to spot from the water as there’s a little wharf sort of thing sticking out, campsite is about 100m from that Basic drop loo, bring your own toilet paper as there was none. Great little quiet spot to relax

Walking in: Obvious 8km fire trail in 90 minutes ; then allow an hour for the 3km, less well marked camp trail; which is very steep for 100m section, so take care. Signs have fallen down so focus on the trail and mini-cairn markers. Water; bring at least 4L per person per day. This is intended for serenity, so if you like to crank up the music, lights and be loud; please pick somewhere else.

Good walk, fire trail pretty easy with a couple of steps sections. There’s a steep rock scramble as you descend to the campground but it’s not as bad as some have made out. Trail gets a little harder to follow from there so keep an eye on the map/gps. No water available though so bring plenty. Campground is nice and peaceful.

Takes about 5 hours one-way to walk from the Canoelands Road gated trailhead. As others have mentioned, the final bit of the Bushwalk down to the campground is a sheer Clifface so needs extra care when climbing in or out. I strongly suggest to come here by boat or canoe.

Came here by boat to check it out. Little campground with open fire pit areas. No drinking water. Bush Toilets. Bring the Aeroguard/insect repellent. Nice views near the river. Didn't take any pics of the camping area, it's just an open grass area in the bush.

Decent campsite, nice outlook, fire pits (byo firewood), drop toilets, no fresh water. If you're accessing the site from the river, in kayaks/canoes, someone has cut out a little "beach" about 25m south of the main boat steps. Can easily fit 5-6 kayaks across.

Great place to spend the night but unfortunately national parks have removed the wharf a installed sandstone steps instead? Not sure how they expect people to arrive by boat these days except run your boat onto oyster covered rocks or sandstone steps.

This is a great campground with toilets and fire places. It's difficult to enter by boat as the bank has rocks with oysters and mud. If you have a tinny that can slide on the rocks, it's good.

Be careful. Hike is very long and you need to carry all your gear. The final bit of the trail to the campsite is basically a vertical drop so our group just turned back and went home.

Beautiful flat camping spot with a long history. Bring your own water and firewood. Spencer General store is just across the river if you need anything.

Great spot on the Hawkesbury but be prepared for a long walk in. There is no water available here. Not recommended during fire bans.

Great walk along the Hawkesbury river. Clean toilets, well maintained campsite

Access is only by walking or boat. Please take all rubbish. Dogs forbidden.

Great camping ground, hard to get to so only true campers go there.

Superb campground accessible by both water and foot. I love it.

Boat access only