Bruinbun Reserve

Bruinbun Reserve is a free camping area on the Macquarie River, the southernmost reserve on the Bridle Track when you come in from the Bathurst end, roughly 30 to 40 minutes out of town. It is a grassed campground split across levels right beside the water, and dogs are allowed, which makes it one of the better dog-friendly bases on this stretch of the track.

Dogs at Bruinbun Reserve

Because this is Crown land rather than a national park, dogs are permitted across the reserve. Keep yours under effective control and close to your site: cattle wander through from neighbouring properties, wombats and other wildlife move around camp at dusk, and the adjoining private land is 1080 baited for pests, so a roaming dog here is a real risk rather than a theoretical one. There is no fee and no booking, and since it is a camping reserve rather than a lodge, your dog simply stays with you at your site.

The reserve

The campground has room to spread out even on busy weekends, with fire pits and a basic composting toilet. That is the full facility list: no power, no drinking water, no bins and no shop, and mobile reception is patchy to non-existent down in the river canyon. It runs on a leave-no-trace basis, so pack out every scrap of rubbish. The river frontage is the draw, with swimming, kayaking, freshwater fishing for Murray cod, golden perch and carp (a NSW recreational fishing licence is required), and gold panning with hand tools along a stretch of river with a long mining history.

Getting there and parking

Access is via the Bridle Track off Duramana Road from Bathurst. The first section is sealed turning to good dirt, but the track is unsealed, steep and rough in places, so Bathurst Regional Council recommends a 4x4 and advises against bringing caravans or trailers onto the track. Park on the natural ground at your chosen tier.

Nearby along the track

If Bruinbun is full, Black Gate Reserve sits further along the same river section, and Native Dog Reserve is the other camp in the immediate cluster, both free and both dog friendly.

Max: Leash up at camp here. Between 1080 baits on neighbouring land, cattle wandering through, and wombats at dusk, an off-lead dog is one wandering nose away from a bad night.

More river-country options are on the NSW dog-friendly stays list, with local notes in the Bruinbun destination guide.