Crescent Head Caravan Parks and Things To Do When You Get There

Crescent Head is often considered a hidden gem found along the east coast of Australia. Located 432 km north of Sydney and around 20 km from Kempsey in the heart of the Macleay valley coast, this laid-back village area is a key landmark for surfers to experience the best waves New South Wales has to offer. While it grows in popularity each year, it has still maintained its sense of tranquillity and peace.

This popularity has seen a gentle rise in the number of caravan camping sites popping up in its vicinity, each looking to make the most of the almost year-round sunshine and natural beauty points. Each location strives to offer something different, with a wide range of accommodation sites catering for families and adventurers alike.

Here we provide a summary of each holiday park and what they offer, as well as providing ideas for fun when you get there. 

Caravan Parks in Crescent Head

Crescent Head Holiday Park

Image credit: Booking.com

Crescent Head Holiday Park is within an easy throw from the village that bears its name. It sits just behind Killick Beach, home to the Crescent Head Malibu Classic, a key surf meet for Crescent Head surfing enthusiasts.

The park offers a wide variety of accommodation types and powered sites, with space for caravans and motorhomes. Bedroom bungalows and villas with room for up to five guests are also available, making it an ideal place for family holidays. There is a choice of vantage point, with the possibility for both creekside and surf-facing sites. 

In terms of on-site features, Killick Beach can provide surfers with what they need with long, right-hand waves, and there is a safe and secure environment for children to swim in Killick Creek. There is also a children’s playground and a boat ramp, and the park is considered dog friendly outside of high season.

Hat Head Holiday Park

Image credit: macleayvalleycoast.com.au

Located a quick one-hour drive from Port Macquarie, Hat Head Holiday Park is nestled within the Hat Head National Park, one of several national parks near Crescent Head. The area offers long stretches of uninterrupted beach space beside Korogoro Creek, which provides an array of snorkelling and fishing opportunities.

The park offers powered and unpowered spaces for caravans, motorhomes, and tents, along with cabins and bungalows that can sleep up to five people. The camping grounds are decked out with barbeque facilities and an amenities block for your convenience.

There is a children’s playground for little ones and an abundance of nature and beach walks close to the park. It remains dog-friendly during the lower and mid-seasons.

Waves Campground

Image credit: Waves Campground

Formerly known as Delicate Nobby Campground, Waves Campground is found to the southeast of Crescent Head between the Goolawah National Park and Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve. Resting on the mid-north coast, it is next to a wide range of beaches and natural flora and fauna.

The campground has both powered and unpowered camping sites available that can cater to all sizes of tents and caravans. It also offers group camping with larger spaces to accommodate multiple families and setups. Additionally, there is the opportunity to rent the most prominent space available (known as ‘The Oval’) for weddings and wider-scale events. There are also bunkhouses available, with 6-bed private rooms and 12 and 26-bed spaces suited for school group getaways. The larger bunkhouses are also self-contained, with camp kitchen facilities and utilities. 

There is an eco-friendly cafe, the opportunity to use fire pits, and a chance to spot some wildlife during your stay.  

Sundowner Caravan Park

Image credit: Visit NSW

Located in the heart of Kempsey to the northwest of Crescent Head and found beside the Macleay River, Sundowner Caravan Park offers 36 powered sites for caravans, campervans, and motorhomes. 

On-site, there are barbeque facilities and a swimming pool, and the park is pet friendly throughout the year. It is still within comfortable driving distance of the coast, so a beach day trip is also an easy possibility.

Things To Do in Crescent Head

There is no shortage of sights and experiences within the various campgrounds, with a number offering on-site opportunities and easy access to areas of natural beauty and excitement. However, if you are willing to venture a little further afield still, we’ve got you covered with this list of additional activities you may wish to try.

Crescent Head Golf Course

Image credit: Golf NSW

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a complete beginner, this scenic course owned by the Crescent Head Country Club offers a sense of competition to your relaxing break. Though it only consists of six holes, the course is located within the tranquil backdrop of the Pacific Coast, right beside Pebbly Beach.

As an additional boon for the experience, there is the chance for a spot of whale watching if you are in the area between May and early July or October to early November, as these are the natural migration seasons for them. 

There are also sweeping views of Crescent Head itself, the multitude of beaches in the surrounding area, and Hat Head.

Crescent Head Lookout

Once you have finished your round of golf, why not head to the Crescent Head Lookout? An explorer can find it via the course up the headland, and when you arrive, you will enjoy a range of panoramic views of many of the local landmarks.  

To the north, you will be able to spot Hat Head and the uninterrupted beaches that run alongside it. To the south, your view can stretch as far as Point Plomer.

Goolawah Regional Park

Image credit: NSW Government

One of the many NSW national parks on offer, Goolawah Regional Park is a 10 km strip of coast located to the north of Limeburners Creek National Park. It is an ideal mix of culture and adrenaline. Not only does it offer a left-hand point break to surfers that complements the right-hand ones at Crescent Head, but there are also several landmarks and features with significant Aboriginal importance.

Here you will have the opportunity to spot many types of native plant life on one of the bushwalking treks from which you can choose. There is also the chance to go snorkelling and to swim in the sheltered waters, while those with a keen eye may be able to spot dolphins and turtles in the sea and several critters in the bush.

Barnett’s Bakery

This award-winning bakery is close to Crescent Head Golf Course and provides the perfect outlet for a post-round snack. Their authentic sourdough is the base for several of their most sought-after products, with their pies often being reserved for special praise. They also offer a wide range of sweet treats such as doughnuts and fruitcakes.

With Australian cuisine at the fore of all they do and with a bar area for adults, Barnett’s Bakery should make any list of top experiences within Crescent Head.

Coffs Harbour

Image credit: City Council

For those of you after a scenic drive up the coast, you may wish to consider venturing up to Coffs Harbour. From Crescent Head, it will take you around ninety minutes to make the drive along the Pacific Highway.

With a wide range of activities on offer, you may require a day trip to try and cram it all in. Not only will you find a selection of new beaches and bushwalks to try, but the Dolphin Marine Conversation Park will also allow you to get up and close with these friendly creatures.  

If dolphins aren’t your cup of tea, you may have the chance to spot a broad swathe of other sea creatures during a jetty dive, where you can explore waters that emulate the Great Barrier Reef in terms of what’s on offer. Providing the season is right, there may also be opportunities to swim with humpback whales.

Little Nobby

Heading back to Crescent Head, we have the scenic spot known as Little Nobby. From the main beach area, it shouldn’t take you long to venture to a place with great sunset views, and if you’re craving an adrenaline rush, you’ll find some rocky edges that allow you to safely jump straight into the sea. 

Plan Your Adventure

Crescent Head is a highly varied holiday location that you should always consider if you wish to visit NSW. An NRMA park is ideal whether you’re a parent looking for family fun, an educator looking for school holiday activities, or a surfer looking for that perfect wave.