Ashleigh & Luke

Place guide · New South Wales

Sydney in a campervan

Sydney is where our Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive begins. With Paul, we took the Metro into the city, walked from Martin Place to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, went round through the Botanic Gardens and had oysters and a pie at the Fortune of War. This guide is for anyone bringing a van: why we'd leave it outside the centre, what parking, tolls and tunnels mean for a high-roof van, and the popular things to do by ferry and on foot. Where we quote official advice, it's in its own box with the date we checked it.

2WD verdict

Yes, but don't drive the van into the centre. Sydney's roads are all sealed; the problems are parking, tolls and height. We'd recommend parking the van outside the centre and taking public transport in. On our day we took the Metro into the city.

Key points

  • Park outside, ride in. Transport for NSW Park&Ride car parks give you up to 18 hours' free parking when you complete a public transport trip.
  • Tap and go. Metro, trains and ferries take a contactless card or phone, at Opal fares with daily and weekly caps.
  • Tolls are cashless. Use a tag or pass, or pay within 72 hours of your trip.
  • Check your height. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel and most city tunnels have a 4.4 m height limit, and vans over 2.8 m high pay the higher Class B toll on most toll roads.
  • Heading out? The Blue Mountains are within 2 hours' drive, NSW National Parks says.
Before you go. Always double-check that walks, falls, roads and attractions are open before you go, to avoid disappointment, and check current fees at the time of booking. Closures and prices can change at short notice.

Our day in Sydney

We'd recommend parking the van outside the centre and taking public transport in. With Paul, we took the Metro, which was new, clean and really easy, then walked about seven minutes from Martin Place to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge (see it in our video).

We walked round through the Botanic Gardens for the classic photo of both, then had oysters and a pie at the Fortune of War, which calls itself Sydney's oldest pub (see it in our video).

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House across the water, framed by palm trees and purple jacaranda blossom
Sunny SydneyFrom our Instagram · view the post

We've also done the Bondi to Coogee walk and spent time on Bondi Beach on a past trip.

Our last day in Sydney with Dad. The Metro, the Opera House, the Botanic Gardens, the Fortune of War and saying goodbye. Watch on YouTube

Parking, tolls and tunnels in a van

Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). City of Sydney on-street meters charge by the hour, and you must follow the signs for time limits, loading zones and clearways (City of Sydney: using a parking meter). Transport for NSW Park&Ride car parks give you up to 18 hours' free parking when you complete a public transport trip, tapping on and off with the same accepted Opal or registered contactless card (Transport NSW: Park&Ride car parks).
Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel are tolled, and all vehicles pay the same, from $2.85 off-peak to $4.55 in the weekday peaks. On most other Sydney toll roads, vehicles over 2.8 m high or 12.5 m long pay the higher Class B rate (NSW Government: toll costs by road). Tolls are cashless: use a tag or pass from E-Toll or Linkt, or pay within 72 hours of your trip to avoid an unpaid toll notice and fees (E-Toll: travelling without an account or pass). The Sydney Harbour Tunnel and most city tunnels have a 4.4 m height limit (Transport for NSW: using Sydney tunnels).
Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). You can pay for Sydney's Metro, trains and ferries by tapping on and off with a contactless card or phone, and you get Opal fares, including daily and weekly caps (Transport for NSW: contactless payments).

For somewhere to sleep, apps such as WikiCamps Australia list campgrounds and caravan parks around Sydney, with recent reviews.

Popular things to do: the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Sydney.com says the walk is 6 km one way and takes two to three hours, past Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee beaches. It has some steep sections of stairs and isn't suitable for prams or wheelchairs. In a 2WD: parking is limited around Bondi and Coogee, so it recommends public transport, with buses from Bondi Junction (Sydney.com: Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk) (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: the Manly ferry from Circular Quay. The F1 Manly ferry is a regular Sydney Ferries service from Circular Quay. You don't need to book; tap on and off with Opal, a contactless card or your phone (Transport NSW: F1 Manly ferry; Transport NSW: paying for your ferry trip). In a 2WD: leave the van outside the centre (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: The Rocks Markets. The Rocks says its markets run every Friday from 10am to 3pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm (The Rocks: The Rocks Markets). In a 2WD: come by public transport to Circular Quay or Wynyard (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: walking or climbing the Harbour Bridge. Walking across on the pedestrian footpath, on the eastern side, is free (BridgeClimb: Sydney Harbour Bridge walk guide). BridgeClimb is a paid, guided climb with dynamic pricing; adult tickets for the Summit Climb were listed from $375 (BridgeClimb: prices). BridgeMuseum, in the south-east pylon, is from $39.95 for adults online (BridgeMuseum: plan your visit) (checked 4 November 2026).
Popular things to do: Taronga Zoo by ferry. Taronga says ferries leave Circular Quay Wharf 4 every 30 minutes and take 12 minutes, arriving by the Lower Zoo Entrance (Taronga Zoo: getting here). In a 2WD: the ferry is the easy way (checked 4 November 2026).

Leaving Sydney

West: the Blue Mountains in a campervan, where we took Paul before Sydney. South: our Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, which starts with Coledale Camping Reserve, about an hour south. North: our East Coast guide, all the way to Byron Bay, K'gari and Cairns.

Where to stay with a van

Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). NSW National Parks lists a caravan park inside Lane Cove National Park at Macquarie Park, with powered sites, sealed roads and 2WD access; North Ryde station is about 900 m away, so it works as a base for the train into the city (NSW National Parks: Lane Cove River caravan park). South of the city, Bonnie Vale campground near Bundeena in Royal National Park has caravan and powered sites, toilets and hot showers; park entry fees aren't included in the camping fee, check-in is 2pm and check-out 10am, and a ferry runs from Bundeena to Cronulla (NSW National Parks: Bonnie Vale campground).

We'd treat central Sydney as somewhere to book a park rather than look for a free spot.

Day trips: Royal National Park

Popular things to do: Royal National Park. NSW National Parks says it's the world's second-oldest national park, founded in 1879, and within an hour's drive of the CBD. Gates are open 7am to 8.30pm, and entry is $12 per vehicle per day, paid with the Park'nPay app, pay machines or at entry stations. Highlights include Wattamolla, Wedding Cake Rock and Lady Carrington Drive (NSW National Parks: Royal National Park). The Coast Track is 27 km one way from Bundeena to Otford over 2 days, Grade 4, and whales pass between May and October (NSW National Parks: the Coast Track). In a 2WD: yes, on sealed roads to the main day-use areas (checked 4 November 2026).

Northern Beaches stay and a harbour view

Official advice (checked 4 November 2026). Northern Beaches Council says Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park is one of the only beachfront caravan and camping spots in Sydney, about 40 minutes from the CBD and across the road from North Narrabeen Beach, next to the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail (Northern Beaches Council: Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park). The park lists powered, unpowered and ensuite sites at 38 Lake Park Rd, North Narrabeen (BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park: caravanning and camping).
Popular things to do: Mrs Macquarie's Chair. The NSW Government says the chair was carved out of a sandstone ledge by convicts in 1810 for Governor Macquarie's wife Elizabeth, and is one of the best vantage points over Sydney Harbour. It's on Mrs Macquaries Road, at the edge of the Botanic Garden. See NSW Government: Mrs Macquarie's Chair (checked 4 November 2026).

FAQs

Can you drive a campervan in Sydney?

Yes, but we'd recommend parking outside the centre and taking public transport in. Parking is metered, tolls are cashless and most city tunnels have a 4.4 m height limit.

Do campervans pay more on Sydney toll roads?

On most Sydney toll roads, vehicles over 2.8 m high or 12.5 m long pay the higher Class B rate. On the Harbour Bridge and Harbour Tunnel all vehicles pay the same.

How do you pay for public transport in Sydney?

Tap on and off with a contactless card or phone, or an Opal card. You get Opal fares, including daily and weekly caps.

How long is the Bondi to Coogee walk?

Sydney.com says it's 6 km one way and takes two to three hours. We've done it, and it's a great way to see the beaches.

Where can you stay in a campervan near Sydney?

NSW National Parks lists Lane Cove River caravan park at Macquarie Park, about 900 m from North Ryde station, and Bonnie Vale campground in Royal National Park, which has caravan and powered sites.

How much is entry to Royal National Park?

NSW National Parks says it's $12 per vehicle per day, and the gates are open 7am to 8.30pm.

Is there a beachfront caravan park in Sydney?

Northern Beaches Council says Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park at North Narrabeen is one of the only beachfront caravan and camping spots in Sydney, about 40 minutes from the CBD.

Sources

Our own experience comes from our day in Sydney with Paul (in the video above) and a past trip. Everything else is from the official sources below.

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