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NSW Beaches - 2.Mid North Coast
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Crescent Head - Mid North Coast


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Crescent Head from Caravan Park

Crescent Head Overview

Location 15kms SE of Kempsey. 400kms North of Sydney
Nearest Town: 100m
Tasman Sea Beach Facilities Activities Rating Accommodation
Beach: Extended Rocky Headland and Sandy Beach Patrolled: Beach Area Sunbathing: 81% Hotel/Resort: yes
Length: Toilets: Yes Swimming: 80% Caravan Park: Yes
Faces: Showers: Yes Surfing: 91% Beach Food: Yes
Top: Cliff, Rock Platform Picnic Area: Yes Kitesurf: 43% Café/Kiosk: Yes
Bottom: Beach Tidal Pool: No Fishing: 81% Restaurants: Yes
Surrounds: Caravan Park, Bushland Pier: No Shore Dive: No Risk Level: 2 - Care Required
Reef: Yes Other: Snorkelling: 23% Dumping Waves: Yes
Ocean Swell: Yes Access: 1 - Easy Spear Fishing: Banned Frequent Rips: Yes
Other: Car Park: Yes Walks: 77% Shark Attacks: 2007. Non Fatal
Transport: Bus Other: Other: Rocks and Oyster shells along headland.
Famous long board surf break, probably the longest ride in NSW on a good day.




Crescent Head Map


View Crescent Head to Port Stephens in a larger map


Patrolled Beach

The beach near the river is patrolled during peak holiday times only.

Sunbathing

The beach area near the river is popular for sunbathers.

Fishing

Fishing is popular at Crescent, both from the rock headland and from the beach. There is a Par 3 golf course on the headland.
A shallow tidal river meets the ocean at the south end of Gowalala beach, which serves as a popular family swimming area. Sunbathing is popular here as well.
There are good bistro meals available from the Crescent Head pub and RSL club, as well as a small selection of restaurants and takeaway shops.

Swimming

Swimming is popular in the shallow river that runs into the sea here. The river is tidal, but is rarely above knee height.

Beach Walks

A short walk up to the headland is popular as well as walking down to the south beach.





4WD Beach Access

The beaches north and south of Crescent are accessible to 4WDs as long as a Mid North Coast beach permit is displayed, available for a reasonable price from the Caravan Park office. The pass covers 3 local council areas, allowing access to a number of beaches from Hastings (Port Macquarie), Kempsey and Nambucca councils.
The Pass covers the current financial year (1st July to 30th June), with the next years edition available after Easter.

The long strip of beach north of Crescent is able to be accessed from Richardsons Crossing rd, which is 3 kms up Belmore St/ Loftus Rd.
There is around 6kms of beach to drive on, the grade is fairly easy, you can usually get away with not letting down your tyres unless it hasn't rained in a while.
Fishing is popular along this section of coast, with schools often spotted swimming through the breaking waves.
There is a pleasant lake area 3 kilometres up the beach.
The beach ends at Hat Head headland, with a nice beach picnic area sheltered from north easterlies. Cars are not allowed in the top 500 metres of the Headland. Fishing is possible from the rocks here, though the surf is fickle at best.
Erosion has made access to the road to Hat Head problematic, though technically not impossible. This road is only practical for visiting Hat Head though, as it is a much longer way back to Crescent Head town.

The beach south of Crescent is called Goolawah Beach. Access is off Point Plomer rd. There is around 3kms of drivable beach, but care needs to be taken as there are usually more than a few pedestrians. Grade is easy. Access is prohibited at the north and south ends.


Crescent Head Fishing

Fishing is popular off the main Crescent Head mainland rocks, extreme care should be taken here during large swells and the area avoided after dusk.
Surf fishing is practiced along the long beaches to the north and south of Crescent.


Crescent Head Surf Break

Crescent Head is a point break that is moderately consistent. Requires moderate to large east to southeast swell to really get going. Offshore winds are westerlies.
Rides up to 300 metres possible when conditions are right. This wave can be full at times.. This and length of ride has made this area a long time favourite of Mal riders, who discovered the area in the 50's.
When pumping, access is usually off the rocks, care should be taken to avoid cuts and dings from oysters, especially on exit. May be worth body boarding to sandy beach if you cant find a calm place to get out along rocky shore.
Very crowded during peak times when working. Not uncommon to see breaks full at sunrise, then all but empty 2-3hrs later.




Food and Accommodation

The Crescent Head caravan park is a very popular place to stay, with sites available within view of both the river and surf sides. There are also a number of motels, villas and holiday houses to stay at. There are no major resort type areas.
The Crescent Head tavern serves excellent bistro style meals, as does the quieter RSL near the caravan park. There are a couple of restaurants in town as well as a bakery that is popular with the early morning surfer crowd.
The caravan park has its own takeaway shop with outdoor seating, with some good breakfast and lunch options.



Created by admin. Last Modification: Thursday 28 of April, 2011 20:59:22 EST by admin.

Category: 2.Mid North Coast
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