Camping trip from Bris to Syd via NE Hwy

Hi,

My wife and I are travelling down to Sydney from Brisbane via the New England Highway and Putty Rd. We are looking for the best place to Camp along the Putty Rd (Preferably along the Colo River) that can serve as a base to go on bushwalks through the national park there. Our only request is that the campsite has nice amenities. Where are the good bush walks situated along the putty rd?

Also we will spend the night in Tenterfield before heading south along the NE. Where would be the best place to stay a night to break up the drive from Tenterfield to Colo River.

And any recoomendations on where to stay and what to do in Katoomba as we will spend a few nights there.

Also I should mention this is out first time camping, and we dont have a 4WD!

Thanks for the help guys.