The headland and Big Hill walk at Crescent Head

The best views at Crescent Head are the ones you have to climb for. The headland above the point — and the bigger hills that roll south toward Goolawah — give you the whole coast in one sweep: the point break peeling below, the estuary winding inland, and on a clear day the long line of beaches stretching toward Hat Head.

Here’s how to do the walk.

The headland (the easy one)

Walk down to the point and follow the formed track up onto the headland that juts into the bay. It’s a short, steepish climb followed by a flat loop around the top, and it’s the postcard view of Crescent Head — surfers below, town behind, ocean to the horizon.

What to know: kangaroos often graze up here in the late afternoon. Give them space, and keep dogs on a short lead. There’s no shade, so bring water and a hat in summer. Sunset from the headland is hard to beat.

From The Deck: about 10 minutes down to the point, then a 15-minute loop.

The hill out of town

Crescent Head itself is built on a hill — Noongah Terrace, where The Deck sits, climbs up from the town centre, and the walk back up from the beach is its own little workout (the kids will tell you about it). The reward is the two-horizon view from the top: ocean east, hinterland west.

South toward Goolawah and the Big Hill

For something longer, head south past the headland into the Goolawah and Limeburners Creek reserves, where the coast rises into bigger hills and dramatic clifftop lookouts above the empty back beaches. This is the wilder side of Crescent — fewer people, bigger views, and a proper leg-stretch. Wear decent shoes and take water; there are no facilities once you’re out of town.

Note: parts of the southern coast fall within national park and 4WD permit zones — stick to formed tracks and check signage.

Which walk to pick

Walk	Time	Effort	Best for
The headland loop	~40 min return from the house	Short steep climb, then flat	Sunset, whales, kangaroos, first-timers
The riverside track	~30 min return	Flat and sealed	Older walkers, prams, dogs, windy days
Killick Beach north	As long as you like	Flat, soft sand	Space, solitude, dogs
South toward Goolawah	Half a day	Genuine hills, unformed in places	Big views, empty coast, a real walk

What to take

For the headland, water and a hat. That’s genuinely it — you’re never more than half an hour from town.

For anything south of the headland, treat it as a proper walk: water, sun protection, decent shoes and a charged phone. There are no facilities, no shade and no taps once you leave town, and reception is patchy in the hollows.

If you’re walking in the late afternoon, take a headtorch or make sure you’ve left enough daylight. The tracks are easy to follow in the light and not at all obvious in the dark.

Doing it with kids or a dog

The headland loop works for both. It’s short, the climb is over quickly, and the flat top is where the payoff is. Kangaroos graze up there most late afternoons, which is usually the highlight for kids.

Keep dogs on a short lead the whole way — the track is dog-friendly, but a startled kangaroo will stand its ground, and they’re bigger than people expect.

The one to avoid with either is the southern route. It’s long, exposed, and parts of it fall inside national park where dogs aren’t permitted at all.

Best time to walk

Early morning and late afternoon are the picks — softer light, cooler air, and the best chance of kangaroos on the headland. Through winter and spring keep an eye on the water: whales pass close to the headland on their migration, and the high ground is the best seat in town.

After the walk

Back down the hill, the outdoor shower at The Deck (hot and cold) is waiting to rinse off, and Barnett’s Bakery is a short stroll for the reward you’ve earned.

The headland is one of many easy walks here — see things to do in Crescent Head.

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