A man has been charged with murder after another man was attacked with an axe at a camping ground in northern NSW.

The 33-year-old man was camping with two friends at Ebor when he was allegedly struck with an axe to his head about 10.30pm on Sunday, police said.

He was driven by a friend, a 25-year-old woman, to seek medical help in the town of Thora about 50 minutes from the campsite and 25km northwest of Bellingen.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

The woman told police she had also been assaulted and was treated for bruising to her neck.

Paramedics said the man had critical head injuries and could not be revived.

Police began examining a campground off Point Lookout Rd in Ebor.

A 26-year-old man was then arrested nearby on Waterfall Way about 11.30am on Monday.

He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was charged with murder.

He was also charged with intentionally choking a person, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man, from Thora, was refused bail and will appear in Bail Division Court 5 on Tuesday.

More to come ...