Camping near Crescent Head
A coastal town renowned for its epic surfing—and lovely beachside camps, too.
- Crescent Head
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Camping near Crescent Head guide
Overview
Crescent Head is a small, laid-back beach town on New South Wales’ Mid North Coast that’s a favourite with surfers—but otherwise relatively undeveloped. North of Port Macquarie and off the main road to Coffs Harbour and Queensland, many travellers bypass Crescent Head when driving north because it requires a short detour south. But that’s great news for campers who want to enjoy the chilled out atmosphere without the tourist development of many equally pretty beach towns. Stay at simple beachside campsites strung along the coast or head to nearby national parks.
Where to go
Goolawah National Park
Just south of Crescent Head, the small Goolawah National Park is almost all about the beach–a long stretch of sand with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Goolawah Lagoon on the other. There are two beachside campgrounds here, which make a great base for surfing, fishing, birdwatching, and whale watching in winter. There are showers and toilets at the Racecourse Campground.
Hat Head National Park
The white-sand beach stretches even further north of Crescent Head than it does south, and at the northern end is Hat Head National Park. As well as surfing, fishing, and swimming, visitors can hike on numerous trails and visit the Smoky Cape Lighthouse. There’s a well-equipped holiday park in the small settlement of Hat Head (outside the boundaries of the national park) and a simpler campground within the park, too.
Limeburners Creek National Park
Located between Crescent Head and the city of Port Macquarie, Limeburners Creek National Park is another great choice for surfing, swimming, hiking, fishing, and wildlife-spotting. What sets this park apart is the size of its campsites–ideal in the busy summer. There’s a simple beach house that’s ideal for larger groups and families, and two large campgrounds, Point Plomer (with 90 sites) and Melaleuca (with 50). Point Plomer has showers as well as toilets.
When to go
As a beach destination, one of the best times to visit Crescent Head is the summer. It’s a great spot for surfing, swimming, fishing, and snorkelling—camp beside the beach and simply roll out of bed and into the ocean. However, winter is also good because it’s when migratory whales pass the coast, and campgrounds are less busy then. Winter temperatures are mild enough that with a good sleeping bag, tent camping will generally be comfortable.
