Wanting to squeeze in a pre Christmas break before the crowds roll in? The MidCoast of NSW offers some of the state's best kept camping secrets all within an easy 2-3 hour drive of Newcastle. 

Whether you're pitching a tent or bringing the caravan you're spoilt for choice with Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks' five superbly positioned locations.

Ample facilities guarantee a relaxing, comfortable and fun summer holiday so you can't go wrong, whichever destination you choose.

Crescent Head Holiday Park

Crescent Head is a small, bustling coastal destination known for its legendary waves, pandanus-lined waterfront, riverside and beachfront views, modern boutique stores, and extensive surrounding national parks. Make the most of all it has to offer, and book a campsite, cabin, villa, bungalow, or even a new, spacious two or three-bedroom superior villa for large groups!

The area is home to countless iconic surf beaches, including Killick Beach (also called Front Beach or Crescent Head Beach), home to one of Australia’s longest point-breaks, where you can cruise along glassy waves atop a Mal from sunrise to sunset.

Perhaps you’d prefer to stay dry, and instead enjoy a game of golf on the headland, a walk through Goolawah National Park, or a skate with the kids at the beachside skate ramp. Whatever you fancy, Crescent Head is an ideal holiday destination, with options for those who want to kick back and relax, as well as those seeking an action-packed adventure!

Hat Head Holiday Park

Situated beside Hat Head National Park, and with 15km of uninterrupted beachfront on one side, and the sparkling green shallows of Korogoro Creek on the other, Hat Head Holiday Park offers a truly remarkable location for a holiday. Breathe in the eucalyptus-scented air, immerse yourself in nature on a stunning bushwalk nearby, and fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping at the shoreline.

Keep it simple with a shady powered or unpowered campsite, or treat yourselves to a comfortable cabin or bungalow, complete with verandas and outdoor settings to enjoy an evening meal cooked on the barbeques nearby. Other facilities include free wifi, a kiosk for essentials, children’s play equipment, a laundry, and amenities block.

Hat Head is a place where lasting memories in nature are made; snorkel in the lagoon, enjoy lazing in the sunshine on the beach, learn to surf the protected right-hand break, or try your luck at catching Spanish mackerel, cobia, marlin, tuna or kingfish!

Stuarts Point Holiday Park

Positioned on the banks of the Macleay River, a serene, waterside stay at Stuarts Point Holiday Park is sure to help you slow down and unwind! With a range of accommodation options to choose from, including one and two-bedroom bungalows, one-bedroom cabins, access friendly accommodation, and powered or unpowered campsites, relax in the set-up that suits you and the family best.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the river at Stuarts Point—admire the view from your accommodation, cast a line out in this fisherman’s paradise, launch your own watercraft from the park, or cruise down the river in a kayak. 

If you’re keen to get out and about, venture up to the nearby Smokey Cape Lighthouse to admire the vast ocean-views or head to the historic Trial Bay Gaol, built in the 1800s.

Offering a balance of waterfront serenity, activities, and history, Stuarts Point Holiday Park is an ideal holiday destination.

Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park

For the ultimate beach getaway, look no further than Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park in South West Rocks! Boasting complete beach frontage, with accommodation that sits only metres away from the sand, as well as creek access and sweeping views of the surrounding hinterland, this destination calls its visitors to reconnect with nature, relax, and most importantly, to have fun!

Wake up with the birds and watch the sunrise over the ocean from the comfort of your cabin, caravan or campsite, before heading out to grab coffee and breakfast at Malt and Honey Café, a local favourite. Treat yourself to a stroll through the quirky, colourful stalls of local produce, jewellery, art, crafts, and crystals at the Horseshoe Bay markets, on every second Saturday from 8am-1pm. 

Seeking something adventurous? Go for a dive in Fish Rock Cave—a 125-metre underwater tunnel that hosts a completely unique ecosystem! Alternatively, check out Green Island, Black Rock, Ladies Reef, or Gaol Reef for other world-class diving experiences.

However you choose to pass the time, Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park is guaranteed to be the backdrop to some of your most cherished memories.

Grassy Head Holiday Park

Tucked between the long, sweeping shores of Grassy Beach, and lush coastal greenery of Way Way State Forest, Grassy Head Holiday Park is a nature lover’s paradise. Bird-life abounds, encouraging you to disconnect from the fast-paced hustle and bustle of your daily life, while ample facilities ensure your comfort for the duration of your stay.

The park offers a choice of cabin or bungalow accommodation, as well as powered and unpowered campsites for caravans and tents, and barbeques, free wifi, a children’s playground, kiosk and laundry, mean that you can unwind without needing to leave this piece of paradise.

Should you feel like exploring further afield, the park is in close proximity to countless bushwalks, teeming with native flora and fauna—a bird-watcher’s idea of heaven! Head out along the walking track from Stuarts Point for sweeping views towards South West Rocks, over the Macleay River, and across countless macadamia and avocado farms, or, alternatively, tackle Mount Yarrahapinni in Yarriabini National Park. 

Feeling more inclined to stay on the beaten path? Kickstart your day with a coffee from a local café in the nearby Scotts Head, or end it with a crisp cold schooner from the Stuarts Point Bowls Club. 

Keen to get your summer holidays locked in? Visit Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks for more information.