Camping Right Beside Town
🏕️ Manilla Freedom Camp – Full Guide for Travellers & Vanlifers (Aussie Style)
If you’re heading through the New England/North West region of NSW and need a quiet, relaxed riverside spot to pull up for a night or two, Manilla Freedom Camp is a solid little stop. It’s simple, peaceful, right by the Namoi River, and close enough to town that you can duck in for a feed, a drink, or supplies without any hassle.
This is a true free-camp, so don’t expect bells and whistles — but if you’re self-contained and like low-key bush vibes, it’s a beauty.
✅ What the Camp Is Like
- Set right along the Namoi River on flat grassed areas
- Easy access for caravans, campervans and motorhomes
- Pet-friendly (keep pups on a lead and clean up after them)
- Quiet spot with plenty of space and shade
- Short walk/drive into Manilla township for food, groceries and fuel
- Great base for fishing, river walks, birdwatching and just kicking back
Facilities are basic — think toilets, water taps, bins, maybe a dump point depending on current council setup — but nothing fancy. Come prepared to be self-sufficient.
⭐ Who Will Love This Spot
You’ll enjoy Manilla Freedom Camp if you’re:
- Travelling in a self-contained RV, caravan or camper
- Comfortable with low-service free-camps
- After something quiet, natural and budget-friendly
- Travelling with pets
- Doing a road trip and need a handy overnight or 2–3 night stop
- Wanting close access to a small country town without paying caravan park prices
⚠️ Things to Be Aware Of (Important)
1. Flood & weather risk
The Namoi River does flood, and the area around Manilla has had official flood watches and warnings during heavy rain.
Before heading in:
- Check BOM/SES alerts
- Avoid camping too close to the low bank
- If rain is forecast or the river’s rising, move to higher ground or into town
Never try to drive through floodwater — locals say it every year for a reason.
2. Facilities are limited
Bring:
- Drinking water
- Your own shower / wash gear
- Power solutions
- Rubbish bags
- Toilet setup if not using public toilets
It’s a community-run style free-camp, not a commercial caravan park.
3. Grounds can get soft after rain
If you’re towing a heavy van or motorhome, pick a firm patch. Levelling ramps come in handy.
🍽️ Food & Supplies (Royal Hotel for Meals)
Manilla’s a small but friendly country town with all the basics:
- Royal Hotel – great spot for a cold beer and a pub meal
- Bakery, takeaway shops and a supermarket in town
- Fuel station nearby
- A few cafés for breakfast and coffee
It’s easy to drive into town for dinner if you don’t feel like cooking at camp.
🎣 What to Do Around Camp
- Walk along the Namoi River
- Throw a line in (local fishos often try their luck here)
- Sit under the gum trees and enjoy the quiet
- Birdwatching — the river corridor has lots of native birds
- Sunrise and sunset photography
- Explore Manilla’s heritage buildings (clock tower, old pubs, little shops)
It’s a simple stop, but that’s part of the charm.
📦 What to Bring (Aussie Traveller Checklist)
- Plenty of water
- Levelling ramps
- Solar or battery power
- Fly spray (it is the bush)
- First aid kit
- Weather app + BOM alerts
- Rubbish bags (take everything with you)
- A sense of adventure and chill vibes
🧭 Bottom Line
Manilla Freedom Camp is a great stop for anyone who loves riverside free-camping and doesn’t need high-end facilities.
It’s peaceful, safe, scenic and perfectly positioned near town — but always respect the weather, keep an eye on flood warnings, and leave the place cleaner than you found it.
A proper little Aussie free-camp gem.
