The best camping near Hat Head National Park
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hat Head National Park adventure.
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The best camping near Hat Head National Park guide
Overview
About
On a clear day, it feels like you can see forever from the headland on the Korogoro Walking Track in Hat Head National Park—and if you’re on the trail in the cooler months, you’ve got a great chance of seeing whales as you walk. It’s just one of several great bushwalking tracks in the coastal national park roughly halfway between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour on the Macleay Valley Coast. Perfect for those who love back-to-basics camping holidays, fishing, bushwalking, and splashing in the sea or Korogoro Creek, Hat Head tends to get overlooked by most travellers rushing to get to more fashionable spots to the north—this is a bonus for those who prefer their getaways crowd-free.
Caravan Camping Near Hat Head National Park
Just an hour’s drive north of Port Macquarie or south of Coffs Harbour, Hat Head National Park affords the perfect coastal escape along the Pacific Highway. Whether you’re bushwalking along wild headlands, bird-watching and whale-watching from the shore, or picnicking by the beachside, this is the spot to dodge the crowds. Get up early to watch the sunrise, and you might even get the beach to yourself. Caravanners can head to one of Hat Hin’s two beachside campgrounds, which provide unpowered sites suitable for self-contained motorhomes and camper trailers, with basic facilities such as picnic tables and toilets. Alternatively, check into the holiday park, which offers spacious, powered sites along with access to a dump point, camp kitchen, and kiosk. Or, head further afield to spend the night at a quiet Hipcamp in the hills and explore the national park on a day trip instead.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for families: Hungry Gate Campground has plenty of shade, and kangaroos often graze in the camping area.
- Best for beach lovers: Smoky Cape Campground, beneath the Smoky Cape Lighthouse, is right beside the beach and popular with fishers.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- All campsites in NSW national parks must be pre-booked online before you arrive.
- All national park campgrounds get busy during summer and Easter school holidays, when you’ll need to book well ahead. But go mid-week in February and March, and it’s quite possible you’ll be the only ones there.
- Hungry Gate Campground is a 20-minute walk from the beach, so it’s sometimes easier to secure a campsite here than at the beachside Smoky Cape Campground.
When to go
Although it can get rainy, summer offers the best camping weather and is the most popular time to visit. Days might be hottest in January and February, but March and April are best for swimming, when the sea is warmest. Winter time, May to November, is best for seeing whales from the lookouts.
Know before you go
- Hat Head National Park is 24 kilometres east of Kempsey, near South West Rocks.
- Neighbouring Arakoon National Park—at the Smoky Cape end of the park near South West Rocks—is also worth a visit. Highlights include the sandstone Trial Bay Gaol ruins on the headland.
- You can stock up with basics at the Hat Head General Store, which also stocks beer and wine and does a pretty good hamburger, too.
Nearby attractions
A beautiful partially sheltered beach with an elaborate past, Trial Bay is a great place to spend your day exploring both nature and history.
Frequently Asked Questions
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