Central Coast Photographer | Family Camping at Patonga & Our Adventure-Led Traditions

Why Patonga is Our Favourite Central Coast Camping Spot

Every August, without fail, we pack up the crew and head down the winding road into Patonga. It’s become one of those family rituals that just sticks.. a weekend of chaos, muddy shoes, and probably not enough coffee.

If you’ve ever driven in, you’ll know the deal, there’s literally one road in and out, and it’s steep, tight, and winding as heck. All us mums are clinging on like we’re on a rollercoaster. But the second you hit the bottom? Worth every white-knuckled second.

Patonga’s caravan park is simple in the best way. Nothing flashy, just the good stuff: a beach on one side, a lake on the other, and nature wrapped around you. There’s space for the kids to run wild, for campfires to crackle in winter, and for all the adventures, fishing, crabbing, paddleboarding, bird feeding… you name it. And if you want a sneaky break from camp cooking, the Boathouse Hotel is perfect for a morning coffee run or an easy dinner. You can even jump on the ferry for a little extra fun.

True to tradition, it rained the first two days. But if you’ve got kids, you’ll know bad weather doesn’t cancel the fun it just changes it. Ours were straight into the puddles, sliding through mud, and basically living their best lives while we all resigned ourselves to a bit of extra laundry.

By the time the sun finally showed up, the bikes were off the racks and we were exploring every corner of Patonga, kids racing, us adults just trying to keep up. Here’s the kicker: somehow, after years of coming here, we stumbled on a little secret waterfall we’d never seen before. Absolute highlight. The kids climbed rocks, we sat back and soaked it in, and it felt like one of those magic finds you only get when you slow down long enough to explore.

What I Realised Looking Back at the Photos (and Why it Matters)

When I sat down to edit the photos, it hit me: the kids are everywhere in them. Mud on their faces, climbing rocks, feeding birds. But me? Barely there. The couple shots my husband took… well, let’s just say blurry photos and horrid angles aren’t exactly the vibe (love him, but photography is not his calling).

And it made me think how many of us mums have a camera roll that looks the same? Millions of snaps of the kids, and maybe a handful of us if we’ve begged someone else to take them.

Adventure-Led Family Sessions on the Central Coast

That’s why I do this job. Because when I think about this trip, I don’t just want a million photos of the kids in puddles . I want proof we lived it together.

Proof we lived, loved, and wrung every bit of fun out of each adventure like it could’ve been our last.

And honestly? That’s what my adventure-led family sessions are all about. You’re not getting the awkward “stand and smile” pics OR the disastrous hubby-phone ones.. you’re getting the good stuff.

Let’s Plan Your Adventure

So if you’re the kind of family who’d rather scroll back through photos that make you laugh-snort and say “yep, that was us” .. not wonder where the heck mum was, then you’re my people!

Check out my Travel Dates. I’m always looking for new places (and new legends) to explore with.

Central Coast Photographer NSW.

Maternity, Newborn and family laid back, full of heart, adventure led photography.