If you thought that unspoilt NSW costal townships were a thing of the past, think again. Located just 4 and a half hours north of Sydney, and about the same south of Brisbane, Crescent Head is one of the best-kept secrets on the New South Wales coast. Take a coastal turn at Kempsey and soon you still find a delightful coastal village characterised by beautiful beaches and a headland which features one of the most spectacular cliffs on Australia’s east coast. It is a highly regarded surfing destination and also offers great fishing from the beach and the rocks.
The township of Crescent Head is well protected environmentally. Goolawah and Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve fringe it to the south while Hat Head National Park stretches along the coast to the north. Many wonderful trails within these national parks are a mecca for bush walkers.
Starting at the picnic area by the beach, this short loop trail winds around the top of the headland, providing sweeping views of the pristine coastline and rocky shores below.
Find a spot on the headland to sit and take in the untouched beauty around you. In winter and spring, it also makes for a great vantage point for whalewatching.
The walk meanders through low heath vegetation and pandanus palms before taking you into rare coastal rainforest. The strangler figs, coastal blackbutt and large variety of rainforest species create a striking backdrop for the abundance of wildlife and birds you’ll find in the rainforest. At sunset, you might even see microbats flying through the canopy.
For beach camping near Kempsey and Crescent Head, head to Goolawah National Park. You can go surfing, fishing, birdwatching and even whale watching from the headlands.
Come and be captivated by the uncrowded beaches and pristine headlands of Goolawah National Park, near Kempsey on the NSW North Coast. Roaming through these coastal surroundings, you can’t help feeling you’ve landed in a place untouched by time.
Comprising a narrow strip of mostly beachfront land, the park runs south from the outskirts of Crescent Head village to Racecourse Headland, where it links with Goolawah Regional Park.
Banyandah Studio is a working studio embracing Encaustic Art. Live demonstrations of this ancient art are performed if you choose to visit us here on the beautiful mid North Coast.
The studio is also the home of 6Ps Films and productions. DVDs of local and visiting surfers featuring local bushland beauty and colour. Fully produced, filmed and edited at this studio. Primarily makers of Surf Films, documentaries are not far from the horizon.
Contemporary Surf Art also features in the studio, and at times, visiting artists display their works with us.
- South West Rock
- Timbertown, Wauchope
Coming south from Brisbane.
Take the Pacific Highway South.
Take the Kempsey/ Frederickton exit.
Follow Macleay Valley Way through Frederickton and Kempsey.
Cross Macleay river bridge to South Kempsey.
Turn left onto Angus McNeil Cres. ( If you cross the railway you have missed the turnoff)
Continue onto Crescent Head Rd.
Drive 16km to Crescent Head and we are on your left hand side not long after you arrive in town.
Coming north from Sydney
Take the Pacific Highway North.
Take the Kempsey exit.
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Macleay Valley Way
Turn right onto Angus McNeil Cres just after you cross over the railway line.
Continue onto Crescent Head Rd.
Drive 16km to Crescent Head and we are on your left hand side not long after you arrive in town.