Camping & caravan parks near Crescent Head

Crescent Head has been a camping and caravanning classic for generations — waking up near the sand, the smell of the bush, a swag or a van and not much else. If that’s your kind of holiday, here are your options. And if you’d rather a hot shower and a real bed at the end of the day, we’ve got a thought on that too.

Crescent Head Holiday Park (in town)

The main park, run by Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks, sits in a cracking position — tucked between Killick Creek and the beach, a short walk from town and the point.

• What’s there: powered and unpowered caravan and camp sites, plus cabins, villas and bungalows if you want a roof.
• Facilities: free wi-fi, BBQ areas, a kids’ playground, a kiosk for the essentials, laundry and amenities, and an in-park boat ramp (handy for the fishing).
• Rough cost: caravan sites around $47–$52 a night (check current rates and seasons when you book).
• Dogs: welcome on sites in the low and mid seasons — confirm with the park before you book.

Best for: families who want the beach-and-creek camping classic, with the town a short walk away.

Delicate campground, Goolawah (beachfront bush camping)

Head south out of town on Point Plomer Road and you reach the wilder camping at Goolawah Regional Park — about a 10km drive. Delicate campground is the pick: proper beachfront bush camping behind the dunes.

• What’s there: beach and caravan camping, a covered picnic area, cold showers and toilets. No powered sites — this is back-to-basics.
• Bookings: none — it’s first-in, first-served. Cost is around $24 per site (two people), payable on-site.
• Dogs: the regional park is dog-friendly (unlike the adjoining national park) — a rare treat for campers with a pooch.

Best for: surfers and self-sufficient campers chasing dunes, space and the back beaches.

Waves Campground (Delicate Nobby)

Just along the same stretch, Waves Campground (formerly Delicate Nobby) is a privately run option near the Nobby — unpowered sites from around $24 a night, campfires allowed, basic facilities. A favourite with the surf crowd.

A note on national-park camping

Parts of the coast south of town fall within Goolawah National Park (Racecourse Headland, Big Hill). Camping here is bookable through NSW National Parks — but note dogs aren’t permitted within the national park sections (the regional park is the dog-friendly one). Stick to formed access and check current closures.

…or, if you’d rather a bed

Camping at Crescent Head is wonderful — right up until it rains sideways at 2am, or someone wants a hot shower and a proper coffee. If that someone is you, The Deck is the comfortable alternative, in the same little town:

• A whole three-bedroom house, sleeps six — two queens and a room with two singles.
• A wood fireplace and a full kitchen (900mm cooktop, Nespresso) for cold nights and real meals.
• An outdoor shower (hot and cold) for the boards and the dog — yes, dogs are welcome here too.
• Seven minutes’ walk to the same beach and point break the campgrounds are chasing.

You still get the dawn surf, the headland walk and the long lunches — you just don’t have to pack the swag away wet.

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