South West Rocks Caravan Parks And Things To Do

South West Rocks is a touristy town on the mouth of the Macleay River, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. It’s an idyllic holiday getaway with a rich heritage and picturesque scenery. Enjoy days relaxing on sandy beaches and exploring the neighbouring national parks.

Whether you’re a water-sports lover or there to take in the culture, South West Rocks has plenty of fun activities. Jerseyville and Kempsey are just short distances away if you’re eager to head further afield from this coastal town.

South West Rocks is home to the Trial Bay Gaol, Monument Hill, Smoky Cape Lighthouse, and the Yarriabini National Park. But most of all, it’s the perfect place for surfers.

So, keep reading to find more travel inspiration about this Mid North Coast town. We’ll share everything you need to know, from finding your South West Rocks Holiday Resort to holiday activities to keep the kids entertained.

Caravan parks in South West Rocks

South West Rocks is the perfect holiday destination on the Mid North Coast. There is little better than hitching up your caravan and getting away to enjoy the sun, sea, and cultural history. So, if you’re looking for an ideal holiday resort to call home for the summer, check out where you should park up your caravan

Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks

Image credit: Ingenia Holiday Parks

The Ingenia Holiday Parks is set on the banks of the Black Creek. With the ocean and Macleay Valley River on its doorstep, it’s ideal for anglers and water sports lovers alike. You can book surfing lessons, hire paddleboards, and book a fishing charter from the park directly.

If you’re after a more comfortable, luxurious getaway, they offer three-bedroom cabins and studios with single beds. However, you can also park your caravan in powered sites, unpowered, ensuite, and powered waterfront spots.

The park map highlights the children’s playground, games room, boat ramp, jumping pillow, and water slide. Nearby, take a day trip to explore the Hat Head National Park, Little Bay, Smoky cape, and Captain Cook’s Lookout.

NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Park 

Image credit: NRMA Parks and Resorts

The NRMA park and resort is perfect for families and kids. There’s an option for everyone with a range of cabins, glamping tents, and a dedicated caravan park. 

The caravan park, designed with kids in mind, boasts a water park, mini-golf, kart hire, and playgrounds. The park is pet-friendly outside of the school holidays, so feel free to bring your furry friends along on your holiday.

Park facilities include a swimming pool, kitchen, year-round club with kids activities, bouncing pillow, BBQ areas, movie room, tennis court, and watersports hire. 

Or, if you fancy heading further afield, the park is next to the Trial Bay Gaol, where you can learn about the local area’s heritage.

Grassy Head Holiday Park

Image credit: Macleay Valley Coast

With the lush green forest on one side and pristine beaches on the other, the Grassy Head Holiday Park is an idyllic getaway on the Macleay Valley Coast. 

Just a 30-minute drive north of South West Rocks, the Grassy Head Holiday Park offers a peaceful retreat without taking you to the middle of nowhere. Enjoy a tranquil stay in nature with the freedom to visit the more touristy South West Rock at your pleasure.

Grassy Head Holiday Park provides a range of accommodation and sites. Choose from cabins and bungalows to powered and unpowered spots to pitch up. With Grassy Head beach directly behind the holiday park, you’ll only have to venture mere minutes to enjoy relaxing days in the sun. 

The park features a playground and BBQ area. Plus, there is a variety of wildlife to watch out for, whether you like bird watching or exploring the bush. You might also spot koalas and kangaroos.

Stuarts Point Holiday Park

Image credit: NRMA

Offering relaxation, peace, and quiet, it’s an idyllic waterside holiday. The angler and nature lover’s paradise, Stuarts Point Holiday Park is right on the banks of the Macleay River. 

With multiple opportunities for fishing or enjoying watersports, the holiday park is perfect for soaking in the sun and enjoying the fresh air. It’s just a half an hour drive to South West Rocks town centre, so you’re never too far from the bustling tourist activities. 

The Stuart Point parks and resorts offer riverfront bungalows, cabins, powered and unpowered sites. Plus, they provide BBQ facilities, kayak hire, and a boat ramp. 

Stuarts Point is the ideal place to go fishing. With the choice of beach, jetty, or river to throw out your line, you could spend every day catching bream, whiting, flathead, blackfish, mullet, stingray and mud crab.

Trial Bay Gaol Campground

Image credit: Visit NSW

The Trial Bay Gaol Campground is situated within the Arakoon National Park. If you’re looking for more straightforward holiday parks to get back to nature, this campground is as tranquil as it can get. 

There are unpowered sites, with a few powered spots for your camper trailer, caravan, and camping gear. The site has amenities blocks and a camp kitchen, with a fridge, freezer, hot plate, and microwave. 

Campers are next to the Trial Bay Gaol and Museum, although you must pay an additional entrance fee. There are also two boat ramps conveniently located nearby. With the sea on one side and a national forest on another, spend your day’s hiking, surfing, fishing, and relaxing.

Trial Bay has to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Generally speaking, most times throughout the year, you can expect to see crystal clear waters. The bay itself has shallow waters, making it ideal for children to play.

If you enjoy beach walking, there is also a shipwreck between Trail Bay and Main beach. During the tourist season, alongside this beach, you will occasionally also find various activities run by locals like Catamaran sailing. 

Just be aware that, around the Trial Bay campground, there are Gympie-Gympie plants — which the leaves are very painful to touch, and feel like a very fine invisible painful needle. So be sure to stay away from these plants.

Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park 

Image credit: TripAdvisor

The Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park is set right on the beach in the Macleay Valley. Located directly in South West Rocks, Horseshoe Beach is directly on its doorstep. 

Take in the stunning views of the river, ocean, and hinterland each morning at this pacific coast getaway. Accommodation options include cabins and powered caravan sites. 

With the sea and numerous creeks around, there are plenty of places to try. As it’s in the heart of the town, there are numerous restaurants and cafes within walking distance of the park. 

The Horseshoe Bay beach is also famous among locals for its wind protection (I.e. the beach’s shape protects those swimming from large gusts of wind — making it an ideal place for children and surfers alike).

The Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park is surrounded by many tourist attractions, including Point Briner, Back Creek Bridge, and Trial Bay Beach. Plus, you can try diving at world-renowned spots along the coast. It’s also an excellent camping location for avid anglers.

Smoky Cape Campground

Image credit: National Parks NSW

Smoky Cape Campground provides camping sites for campers and caravans alike. Set in the Hat Head National Park, natural attractions surround it. It’s the perfect holiday destination for nature lovers, walkers, fishers, and hikers. Enjoy fishing, diving, swimming, and bushwalking at this idyllic spot.

Amenities are straightforward at this campground, suitable for the more hardened campers. With no water or a camp kitchen, you’ll be able to get right back to nature.

There are numerous walking tracks and lookout points throughout the national forest, so bring your hiking boots. Nearby, go for a paddle in Warrell Creek. Or enjoy a swim in the sea from Front Beach.

Things to do in South West Rocks

Wherever you choose to stay, there are many South West Rocks attractions to explore during your vacation. 

There’s plenty to keep you occupied, from the family-friendly beaches to cultural education at the Trial Bay Gaol. South West Rocks is perhaps best known for its diving potential. Explore any number of its world-famous diving spots.

Trial Bay Gaol

Image credit: National Park Odyssey

Trial Bay Gaol is a historical landmark. Once an intimidating prison set within beautiful scenery, now, the ruinous remains make for an exciting day out. The gaol took 13 years to build.

Explore the gaol history, what the prisoners were there for, and its role in WWI. There’s a museum and memorial to learn more about those who lived and died at Trial Bay Gaol. 

Sign up for a guided tour to find out more about the area. Plus, make sure to take in the mesmerising coastal views — at certain times of the year.

Arakoon National Park

Arakoon National Park is set to the east of South West Rocks. Home to Trial Bay and Trial Bay Gaol, it’s the perfect place to explore. Go hiking on one of its many walking tracks and take in the incredible lookout points. Enjoy a picnic and explore the views. Spend the day relaxing on Trial Bay Beach.

Learn about the area’s aboriginal culture before colonisation and the landscape’s part. Don’t forget to take a trip to the gaol while here. You might even spot some kangaroos enjoying their morning at Little Bay if you get there early.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse

The Smoky Cape Lighthouse was named when Captain Cook landed on the headland and saw Aboriginal fires burning in 1770. The lighthouse was built over a century later, in 1891. 

The Smoky Cape Lighthouse is as picturesque as the surrounding views, situated grandly on a narrow headland. With Hat Head National Park all around, its locale is beautiful.

Take a hike up to the lighthouse. Enjoy the old building and surrounding views. It’s an excellent spot for whale watching and bird watching. You can stay at the lighthouse keepers ‘ cottage if you fancy a night away from your caravan.

It’s not far from Captain Cook’s Lookout. This point offers incredible views of the rocky coastline and ocean beyond. There are also plenty of walking spots around the area to extend your trip.

Gap Beach

The surrounding areas of South West Rocks have no shortage of coastal beaches. Make sure you check out Gap Beach. It’s just south of the Hat Head National Park and is surrounded by the steep headland of the Smoky Cape.

You can get to Gap Beach through the Smoky Cape track from Little Bay. Or, from Captain Cook’s Lookout by the lighthouse.

The beach is long and exposed, with dramatic waves. It can be risky in certain weather, so take care if you venture into the water. Not far away, there are the Beachside Markets. 

The market sells fresh produce and local artworks and is held twice a month. The area hosts night markets full of music, entertainment, and food during the summer months.

Back Creek Bridge

Back Creek Bridge is the perfect place for families to enjoy the Macleay Valley River. Spend the day swimming, running about on the sand, or taking in the scenery. 

There are also many water sports facilities in the area. Why not hire a paddleboard or kayak? Plus, there are plenty of shallow areas for younger children.

Try jumping off the bridge into the clear blue creek below for the more adventurous. Relax at the end of the day at the creek café or one of the many surrounding restaurants. It’s also an excellent spot for fishing.

Monument Hill Walking Track

Image credit: Aussie Towns

If you’re a fan of hiking, you’ve come to the right place. South West Rocks and the surrounding area is full of walking trails and hiking routes. Try the slightly more accessible Bridle Trail or find more adventurous ways throughout the Arakoon and Hat Head National Parks.

The Monument Hill Walking Track lies in the Arakoon National Park. Follow this track from the monument built for German gaol internees to Little Bay. Admire the spectacular views of the coastline and the fresh sea breeze. On your walk, take in the views of wildlife and plant life, such as casuarinas.

Join the Bridle Trail and return via the Powder Magazine Walking Track to make it a longer walk. The monument where you start was built to pay tribute to German internees at the Trial Bay Gaol in WWI. You’ll spot many flannel flowers planted by the Germans throughout the walk to remind them of home.

Summing up

South West Rocks is ideal for anglers, nature lovers, hikers, and watersports lovers alike. There are plenty of cultures to immerse yourself in with a wide-ranging and incredible history. 

Whether you explore the Trial Bay Gaol or head to the classic Roxy Cinema on a rainy day, there’s much to do and see.

In the summer months, you might enjoy traversing the many trails around the national parks. Or be tempted by a few of the diving spots. Whatever you choose to do, your caravan holiday will be memorable.