It’s no secret that Crescent Head is every beach lover’s dream holiday destination.
Endless beaches, great weather, good people, no crowds, and most importantly, an undeveloped town.
A nostalgic place that feels like something from the 70s is undoubtedly on the bucket list of all those who know about it.
But, Crescent is a vast place and if you’re gonna do a trip there, it’s worth doing it right. So, here’s Uncle Nathan’s guide to making the most of this beautiful place over just a few days…
Table of Contents
Surfing
Crescent Head is home to some of the best waves along the NSW East Coast. It’s perfect for all skill levels and is pretty consistent year-round.
Along the beautiful coastline, you have options ranging from long point-breaks (perfect for longboards and beginners) to heavy beach breaks (great for the advanced surfer), with a few awesome picks in the middle of the spectrum.
To go through each option, I reckon it’s worth breaking them up by type of wave:
Point Breaks
Beginner Level – Crescent Head Point – Right-Hand Break
Crescent Point is perfect for longboarders and beginners. It is usually quite busy when the waves are good, but for good reason.
Getting out to the point is an easy (but long) paddle from the main beach or a relatively straightforward rock-off anywhere along the pathway.
This wave is best on a hard ENE swell with winds from the South (protected) or West (off-shore).
Intermediate Level – Point Plomer – Right-Hand Break
Point Plomer is similar to Crescent but the wave is slightly shorter and the beach is harder to get to. You’ll want a 4WD to get here over the kilometres of dirt road.
The wave is usually more powerful on an ENE swell, and you’ll want winds from the South or West.
Be careful surfing here during peak times, many of the campers at Point Plomer Campground get agitated if outsiders come for a paddle. If you respect the lineup and don’t drop in, you’ll be sweet.
Advanced Level – Racecourse Point – Right-Hand Break
Racecourse is somewhat of an elusive break. It rarely works, but when it does, it’s easily one of the best waves around.
To get Racecourse good you’ll want an East swell with winds from the South (protected) or West (off-shore).
The difficulty here comes from actually getting from the car park to the water. You could paddle from the beach, but you’d be wrecked before you were even in the line-up. The other option is to venture down the grass hill and risk a tonne of slips and scratches getting to the water.
This break also makes it hard to paddle back in with rocks in every direction.
Protected Corners
Beginner Level – Limeburners Beach
Limeburners is certainly a family favourite for the seasoned Crescent traveller.
It’s a reasonably mellow, but super-fun break just off the North side of Big Hill.
You have two options here:
- A right-hand point break, or;
- A left-hand beachie
Limeburners works best with an ENE swell and is super protected from southerly winds.
Intermediate level – Queen’s Head Beach
Queen’s is the furthest you’ll have to travel for a wave around Crescent.
It’s a popular choice for many of the surfer’s who come up to this beautiful place because of the shape of the wave and its protection from the wind.
Queen’s has either a left or right-hand beachie and can be found working on a SE swell with winds from the North.
Queens is notorious for shark sightings. Whilst there have been no attacks that I’ve heard of, it’s super common to see a white pointer out there. So, keep your eyes peeled and only surf with other people.
Advanced level – Southside of Racecourse Head
This spot, whilst protected, often provides a pretty intense wave. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted and should be surfed with caution.
To get there, you’ll want to pull off Point Plomer road just after Racecourse point and walk down the bush track.
The wave gives you a left-handed option off the point or a right-hander on the beachie.
It works best with a SE swell and winds from the North.
Beach Breaks
Beginner Level – Crescent Head Beach Break
The beachie at Crescent is the perfect spot for a day by the beach. The wave is usually quite tame and the surfers are all at that beginner level.
The beachie works best on an East swell and no wind, although it is slightly protected from southerlies and would be off-shore with a westerly.
Intermediate Level – Delicate Nobby’s
Delicate is my personal favourite surf spot along Crescent’s coastline.
You have a decent option on either side of the headland, although more often than not, the south side is working better.
This spot is pumping with either swell direction, as long as the winds are coming from the opposite direction.
E.g. A SE swell with Northerly winds or a NE swell with a southerly.
The wave is pretty powerful so don’t underestimate it’s force when paddling out. The easiest option is to paddle out in the rip that hugs the headland on the south side.
Advanced Level – Back Beach
Back beach is just behind Queens head. To get there you’ll have to drive on the sand along back beach road.
The wave is heavy, but rewarding if you catch it on a good day.
It is protected from all angles except East so an East swell with any other wind will work well.
Be sure to surf here with a mate because the spot is reasonably off-road and hard to get to.
Camping
When staying in Crescent, there are multiple options for accomodation. You have Air BnB, Cabins in campgrounds and then camping.
Considering the majority of you are broke uni students, I’m going to keep this easy for you…
Just camp. Crescent is perfect for camping!
The weather is nice, the campgrounds are lively and the people are friendly. Camping is also way cheaper than any of the other options and who doesn’t love getting their hands dirty?
So, with camping you have 3 main options:
- In town
- Just out of town
- Well away from town
I’m going to compare these options for you, having tried all three.
In Town
The best place to camp in town is at Crescent Head Holiday Park.
Pros:
- Close to the Bottle-O, Pubs, RSL and other restaurants
- A variety of grocery options
- Just near the famous Crescent Bakery – Barnett’s Bakery
- Campground is literally on the beach (and the river)
- Perfect option for a bit of convenience
Cons:
- Can get very busy
- Waves at Crescent aren’t as good as other places
- Campground is more expensive and harder to book
- Site is open to the wind, so bad weather can really ruin your trip
Just Out Of Town
My favourite place to stay out of town is Waves Campground.
Pros:
- Away from the crowded town centre
- Across the road from Delicate Nobby’s Beach
- Surf options in either direction
- Campground is cheaper than in Crescent
- Site is protected from any wind
Cons:
- No grocery store nearby (there is a small store at reception)
- Dirt roads in and out
- No petrol supply
- Away from restaurants so you’ll have to cook most days
- Can attract lots of mosquitos on hotter days
- No wind to cool down the tent
Well Away From Town
The best option for getting away from town is Point Plomer Campground.
Pros:
- National Park site so rates are cheap
- Away from the crowds (although, when the surf is good it can get quite busy)
- Protected from southerly winds
- Backs onto Point Plomer Beach
- Great community vibe and doesn’t get too crowded (except in peak times)
- Small petrol supply
Cons:
- Far away from any groceries/restaurants
- Open to onshore winds and the heat of the sun
- Will have to cook every meal
- Those who have been coming for years sometimes get a bit territorial
Exploring
This magical place has so many hidden gems. You really can make it the trip of a lifetime if you know where to look.
You’ll need a few days at least to explore all of these spots. But, I guess it’ll give you an excuse to go back there if you can’t tick them all off the first time.
Jump Rocks
Crescent Head River Bridge
The river bridge is easily the most popular of the jumping spots around Crescent Head.
It’s a mellow jump and an easy find. You’re almost guaranteed to see locals jumping on a nice day.
If you’re looking for a slight hit of adrenaline or just something fun to do for the day, this spot makes a nice area to hang out and get wet. Don’t forget to float down the river as well.
Queens Head
This is probably the smallest jump of the four. It’s a mellow jump but pretty far out in the ocean.
To get to this one you’ll want to head to Queens Beach and park in the normal spot. Head to the North end of the beach and then swim along the rocks pretty much too the farthest point.
On a nice day, you’ll most likely see others jumping. Make sure the water is deep enough before you give it a try.
Big Hill
This jump rock is definitely the most difficult to find, but for the adrenaline junky, its close to the best you’ll get around here.
To find this one you’ll want to park the car at the bottom of Big Hill bushwalk. Walk up the hill until you reach the open-air section of the forest.
From here, you’ll want to take a left and head down the hill towards the ocean. Eventually, you’ll run into a gap between two cliffs right on the coastline, here’s the spot.
It’s about a 35ft drop and overlooks Queens Beach from the North. The jump itself isn’t too bad but the climb back up the rock face can be pretty slippery so take your time.
Crescent Head Headland
The infamous rock jump that any seasoned local has heard about.
This jump is only for the most advanced adrenaline junkies. The landing is narrow af and the tide plays a massive role in making it. The drop itself is about 20ft.
To get there, you’ll want to walk up the headland at the end of the point, head over to the south side about halfway up the headland and you’ll see a channel between the rocks below.
I’d only jump after you’ve seen someone else do it so you know exactly where to launch and land. A miss here could break both your legs or worse…
Hidden Gems
Tea Tree Lake
Tea Tree Lake is certainly the best attraction Crescent has to offer after its beaches.
The lake is a browny-red colour thanks to the tea trees that surround the beginning of the lake.
With nice weather this place is amazing!
To get there you’ll want to drive for about 8 km along Loftus road (north from Crescent main town). Then, turn right just before the bridge and park anywhere in the bushland.
If you’re in a 4WD, you can take the car onto the sand and set up shop along the lake’s edge but be sure not to get bogged.
Crescent Head Headland
The headland is a no brainer on a nice day. With spectacular panoramic views of Crescent the surrounding beaches, it’s definitely worth the climb.
Head to the end of the Holiday Park carpark and then walk along the path right to the top. It’s an easy one to find and enjoy.
The Bush Kitchen
The Bush kitchen is an amazing pizza kitchen just south of Delicate Nobby’s Beach and Waves campground.
It’s an experience like no other! The kitchen is situated in the backyard of someone’s house!
The food is amazing and the vibe is perfect for a chilled night where you don’t have to worry about cooking.
South West Rocks
South West Rocks is a beautiful destination for a day trip away from Crescent.
It takes about 45 mins to drive north from Crescent but is well worth it.
The small town is similar to Crescent but slightly more built-up. You’ll find an amazing coastline with the perfect spot for lunch and a swim.
4WD
Queens Head Beach
Queens has a beach entrance a little further south from the normal turn-off.
You’ll see heaps of other cars on the sand on a good day, but be sure to have the right vehicle with all the gear that’s needed to get out if you’re bogged.
You’ll also need a permit before heading on the sand here.
Tea Tree Lake Beach Entrance
Just past the Tea Tree Lake is wide open beach for you to explore.
I’m pretty sure you need a permit to drive on the sand here but we didn’t have on and were fine sooooo…
Drive down to Hat Head and back, explore the dunes or just chill in any spot on the longest beach you’ve ever seen.
Again, go with mates and bring the right equipment. Getting bogged here would be very unpleasant for you…
Your next weekend getaway is just calling for you in Crescent Head. It’s packed with heaps to do, plenty to see and good vibes to experience.
Be sure to pack all the essentials before going and don’t forget to let someone know where you’re headed in case something goes wrong.
For more ideas on day trips or weekend getaways, check out these posts:
- Looking for a day trip near Sydney? Welcome to paradise
- Broke, but desperate for a trip away? Here are some ideas
Enjoy and stay safe on your next adventure,
Uncle N.