Delicate campground

Goolawah Regional Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Delicate campground, in Goolawah Regional Park near Crescent Head, offers beach camping and caravan camping and welcomes those camping with dogs. It’s the ideal Kempsey region camping spot.

Accommodation Details
Number of campsites 40
Camping type Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle
Facilities Picnic tables, showers, toilets
What to bring Drinking water, cooking water, fuel stove
Group bookings Bookings for up to 5 sites and 20 people can be made online. School groups and commercial tour operators can submit a group booking enquiry form.
Please note
  • Check in after 2pm, check out before 10am.
  • There are no marked sites and sites are not powered
  • Fires are permitted in off the ground braziers only. Hire is available from the campground manager.
  • Noise restrictions apply at this campground after 10pm
  • This is a remote campground, please arrive well prepared

Create some family memories at Delicate campground. Being located in Goolawah Regional Park, you can even bring your dog along to the campground to join in the the family snaps. A fabulous spot for beach camping, this back-to-basics campground has all the ingredients for a classic beach holiday.

Take your pick of things to do: go surfing near Delicate Nobby; go whale watching or gaze at gulls wheeling in the breeze; go snorkelling or swimming in the clear waters; build a sandcastle or take the kids beachcombing.

Needless to say, this place is popular in summer, so if you’re seeking solitude, try visiting outside peak periods. Spring and autumn offer terrific conditions for beach activities, with the sand dunes keeping the heat and winds at bay.

You can bring your trailer or caravan, and you’re in luck if you want to bring your pooch along as well. Delicate campground is one of the few beach camping areas in northern NSW to allow dogs – though they’re limited to certain areas. Enjoy walking your dog on the off-leash beach or having him or her curl up beside you in your tent at night. Indeed, the things memories are made of.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Limeburners Creek National Park sign. Photo: David Finnegan/DPIE

    Melaleuca campground

    Melaleuca campground is Limeburners Creek’s best-kept secret. It provides a peaceful sanctuary for walking, surfing, swimming, and relaxing coastal camping.

  • Camper with his fishing rod and bucket heading to the nearby beach, Goolawah National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    Racecourse campground

    Fishing, birdwatching, surfing and whale watching are just some of the things to do at Racecourse campground, a great beach camping site near Crescent Head and Kempsey.

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/delicate-campground/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Delicate campground.

Getting there and parking

Delicate campground is located in Goolawah Regional Park. To get there:

  • From South Kempsey, take Crescent Head Road.
  • Just after entering Crescent Head village, take the prominent right turn to Point Plomer Road.
  • Continue along Point Plomer Road until you find Goolawah Regional Park, which commences after Racecourse Headland.
  • It’s a 10km drive from Crescent Head Road to Delicate campground

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as the road to this campground can become potholed and boggy when it rains.

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • Dry weather only

Parking

Parking is available at Delicate campground.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Goolawah Regional Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

This is a great time to go beachcombing, feel the sand between your toes on a beach walk, and breathe in the salty sea air. The water is still quite warm in autumn, too, so a swim is certainly not out of the question.

Spring

Roam through the park in spring to go birdwatching and see the coastal heathlands bursting with wildflowers. The colourful banksias and bottlebrush will catch your eye instantly.

Summer

Bring your towel and bathers, you'll find Goolawah Beach a great spot for swimming, surfing and snorkeling.

Winter

Winter is the time for whale watching. Plan a winter trip if you prefer a quieter camping experience. Campgrounds are less crowded at this time of year.

Facilities

  • Drinking water is not available at this campground.
  • Unpotable bore water is available at this campground
  • Firewood can be purchased from the campground manager

Toilets

There are flush toilets in the main amenities block at this campground. You'll also find non-flush toilets at the northern end of the campground.

  • Flush toilets
  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Showers

Cold water beach showers are available but there is no private shower block.

  • Cold showers

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Please be aware of dingoes and do not feed or make food available to them.

Beach safety

Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

Take care in the water and please supervise children at all times.

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • Assistance may be required to access some parts of this area, including the beach, due to uneven surfaces.
  • There are accessible toilets at this campground.

Permitted

Camp fires and solid fuel burners

Fire rings are not provided. Fires are permitted in off the ground braziers only. Campers are encouraged to bring their own portable braziers and fuel stoves but hire is available from the campground manager.

Fishing

A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

Pets

  • Dogs may be brought into Goolawah Regional Park, including Delicate campground, as long as park restrictions surrounding dogs are observed. Dogs are not permitted in adjacent Goolawah National Park or Limeburners Creek National Park.
  • For their safety, dogs should be immunised and protected from ticks.
  • Dogs must be supervised and on leash at all times in the campground and along walking tracks.
  • Please do not bring un-desexed dogs in season – they may attract dingoes.

Prohibited

On-ground campfires are prohibited. Fines apply.

Gathering firewood

Firewood is not provided for wood barbecues and may not be collected from the park, so please bring your own supply.

Generators

Generators are not permitted in this campground.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.