The Journal

Stories from Crescent Head.

Surf, food, walks, what to pack. Honest local picks from Trent and Liss.

The tennis courts above Crescent Head, with the beach behind

Plan & Stay

Crescent Head in the school holidays

Planning a school-holiday trip to Crescent Head, NSW? What changes in peak season — beach patrols, dog rules, crowds — and how far ahead you need to book.

Read · 7 min

Surf

The surfing history of Crescent Head

How a small NSW village became one of Australia's great longboard towns — the point, the National Surfing Reserve, the Malibu Classic, and why the wave matters.

Read · 8 min

Plan & Stay

Crescent Head vs South West Rocks: which to pick

Two small coastal towns an hour apart, good at genuinely different things. An honest comparison of surf, beaches, diving, history and food.

Read · 7 min

The long table on the deck at The Deck, set for a group

Plan & Stay

Weddings and celebrations at Crescent Head

Planning a wedding, elopement or milestone weekend at Crescent Head, NSW — where guests stay, how far ahead to book, and why a walkable town makes it easy.

Read · 7 min

The beach stretching north from the headland towards Hat Head

Explore

Hat Head National Park: walks, beaches, dogs

Half an hour north of Crescent Head — the walking tracks, the beaches, Smoky Cape Lighthouse, and the dog rule that catches most people out.

Read · 8 min

Explore

Kempsey and the Macleay Valley: worth a stop?

Most people treat Kempsey as a supermarket stop. The Slim Dusty Centre, Gladstone, the markets and Fredo pies are the case for stopping properly.

Read · 8 min

The Killick Creek estuary at Crescent Head, NSW — calm water for swimming and fishing

Explore

Killick Creek: the estuary at Crescent Head

A guide to Killick Creek, Crescent Head — the safest swimming in town, the tides that matter, fishing the estuary, kayaking, and the dog beach across the bridge.

Read · 7 min

The covered outdoor area downstairs at The Deck

Plan & Stay

8 quiet escapes on the NSW Mid North Coast

Eight places to disappear to on the NSW Mid North Coast, ordered north to south. Not a ranking — just who each one suits, from people who live here.

Read · 9 min

The coast and creek mouth at Crescent Head from the air

Explore

Point Plomer Road and the back beaches

The empty coast south of Crescent Head — Point Plomer Road, Goolawah, the back beaches, beach driving permits, and which park allows dogs and which doesn't.

Read · 8 min

The kitchen at The Deck, set up for self-catering

Eat

Self-catering in Crescent Head: where to shop

Cooking for yourself in Crescent Head, NSW? What you can buy in town, what needs a Kempsey run, and what to bring from home. A practical shopping guide.

Read · 6 min

Blackfish Coffee on East Street, Crescent Head

Eat

Where to eat on the NSW Mid North Coast

A guide to eating on the NSW Mid North Coast — Crescent Head, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Sawtell. What each town does well, and which one to drive for.

Read · 9 min

Plan & Stay

Where to stay in Crescent Head: an honest guide

Holiday houses, the caravan park, beachfront bush camping, motels. What each one suits and what it costs — including when ours isn't the right answer.

Read · 8 min

Surf rolling in at the main beach at Crescent Head, NSW

Explore

The best beaches in the Crescent Head area

A local guide to the beaches around Crescent Head, NSW — from the patrolled Front Beach to the empty back beaches, and which one suits which day.

Read · 6 min

Breakfast on the deck at The Deck, Crescent Head, in the morning light

Plan & Stay

The best time to visit Crescent Head

A season-by-season guide to visiting Crescent Head, NSW — surf, weather, crowds, whales and events — to help you pick the right time for your trip.

Read · 6 min

The view south from the Crescent Head headland over the bay toward Hat Head

Explore

The headland and Big Hill walk at Crescent Head

A guide to the headland and Big Hill walks at Crescent Head, NSW — the climb, the views, where to spot kangaroos and whales, and how to do it from town.

Read · 5 min

The leafy upper yard at The Deck, Crescent Head — a comfortable alternative to camping

Plan & Stay

Camping & caravan parks near Crescent Head

A guide to camping and caravan parks at Crescent Head, NSW — the in-town holiday park, beachfront bush camping, and what to know before you book.

Read · 6 min

Inside Sea Sea café in Crescent Head — relaxed local café culture

Plan & Stay

Crescent Head vs Port Macquarie

Deciding between Crescent Head and Port Macquarie for your NSW Mid North Coast holiday? An honest comparison of the two, from people who live in one.

Read · 6 min

Sea Sea in Crescent Head — an easy base for Macleay Valley day trips

Explore

Day trips from Crescent Head

The best day trips from Crescent Head, NSW — South West Rocks, Trial Bay Gaol, Smoky Cape, Port Macquarie and the Macleay Valley hinterland.

Read · 6 min

The 900mm cooktop at The Deck, for cooking the day's catch

Explore

Fishing at Crescent Head

Where to fish at Crescent Head, NSW — the Killick Creek estuary, the beaches, the rocks and the boat ramp, plus what's running and when.

Read · 5 min

The deck at The Deck, Crescent Head at sunrise — the view that's waiting at the end of the drive

Plan & Stay

How to get to Crescent Head

Driving directions and travel times to Crescent Head, NSW — from Sydney, Brisbane, the nearest airports, and Kempsey. Everything you need to plan the trip.

Read · 5 min

The open-plan living and dining area at The Deck, opening onto the deck and the view

Plan & Stay

Is Crescent Head worth visiting?

Thinking of a trip to Crescent Head, NSW? Here's an honest look at what the town is — the surf, the beaches, the food, the pace — and who it suits.

Read · 6 min

Longboarders waiting for a set at the Crescent Head point

Surf

Learning to surf at Crescent Head

Why Crescent Head is one of the best places in NSW to learn to surf — a long, gentle longboard wave, where to start, and how to make a weekend of it.

Read · 5 min

The wood fireplace at The Deck, Crescent Head — a cosy spot on a rainy day

Explore

Things to do in Crescent Head when it rains

Rained out at Crescent Head? Indoor ideas, cosy spots, easy drives and rainy-day backups — how to make the most of a wet day on the Mid North Coast.

Read · 5 min

The third bedroom at The Deck — two single beds, ideal for kids

Explore

Things to do in Crescent Head with kids

A family guide to Crescent Head, NSW — the safe swimming, the mini golf, the walks, the country club, and the rainy-day backups.

Read · 6 min

The day bed at The Deck, Crescent Head — a relaxed weekend away

Explore

A weekend in Crescent Head: the perfect 48 hours

How to spend a weekend in Crescent Head, NSW — a relaxed 48-hour itinerary of surf, beach, bakery, bistro and headland walks, from the hosts of The Deck.

Read · 5 min

The ocean horizon off Crescent Head, NSW — whales pass close to the headland in season

Explore

Whale watching at Crescent Head, NSW

When and where to see whales at Crescent Head, NSW. The migration seasons, the best vantage points on the headland, and what you can spot from the coast.

Read · 4 min

Golfer mid-swing on the Crescent Head Country Club headland, with the bay behind

Explore

Crescent Head Country Club — golf, tennis, bowls

The Crescent Head Country Club sits on the headland with one of the prettiest nine-hole golf courses in NSW. Tennis, bowls, a cold beer at four. A local guide.

Read · 5 min

Crescent Head mini golf course with bridges, lake, and native plants

Explore

Mini golf in Crescent Head — the new 18-hole course

Crescent Head's new 18-hole mini golf course opened in 2024 — built around a small lake with native plants. Walk from The Deck, kid-friendly, dog-friendly on lead.

Read · 3 min

Sea Sea — dog-friendly outdoor café in Crescent Head

Eat

Where to eat & drink in Crescent Head — a local guide

The full local guide to restaurants and coffee shops in Crescent Head — Sea Sea, the Tavern, the Country Club bistro, Cressence, Mezzaluna2440, plus Cheetah Five, Drift and Blackfish for coffee.

Read · 6 min

The Crescent Head point break peeling at low tide

Surf

The 5 best surf spots near Crescent Head, NSW

A local guide to surfing Crescent Head — the point break, the back beaches, and where to paddle out depending on the swell and wind.

Read · 6 min

Kangaroos visiting at dusk near the property

Explore

Dog-friendly walks in Hat Head National Park

Where to take your dog walking in and around Crescent Head — beaches, headlands, and quiet trails through the national park.

Read · 5 min

The dining table on the deck, set for breakfast

Plan & Stay

What to bring (and what we already have) at The Deck

A packing guide for your stay at The Deck, Crescent Head — what we stock, what to bring, and what to skip.

Read · 4 min