Goolawah National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Goolawah National Park.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Kempsey:
- Take Crescent Head Road from South Kempsey
- Just after entering the village of Crescent Head, take the prominent right turn on Point Plomer Road.
- You’ll find the entrance to Goolawah National Park about 1km along Point Plomer Road
Park entry points
- Point Pioneer Road See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Goolawah National 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 and hit the Crescent Head beaches. You'll find Goolawah Beach a great spot for swimming, surfing and snorkeling.
Winter
Winter is the time for whale watching. Climb to the headland to spot whales on their annual migration. Plan a winter trip if you prefer a quieter camping experience. Campgrounds are less crowded at this time of year.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
19°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
42.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded
0°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February and March
Driest month
August and September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
298.2mm
Facilities
Toilets
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Goolawah National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Kempsey office
02 6561 6700
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm. - 247 Old Station Rd, Verges Creek NSW 2440
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Email: npws.hastingsmacleay@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Kempsey office
Nearby towns
Crescent Head (9 km)
Crescent Head on the NSW North Coast is surrounded by some of the stunning natural environments in the State. As well as long stretches of coastline with fabulous beaches, there is a string on coastal national parks to explore. Go surfing, fishing, boating and bushwalking, enjoy bird watching or whale watching, spot dolphins, turtles and even koalas in the wild.
Kempsey (29 km)
Kempsey is a historic river town close to national parks and majestic beaches. Kempsey is a convenient place for an overnight stop for anyone driving between Sydney and the North Coast.
Port Macquarie (73 km)
Vibrant Port Macquarie is surrounded by beautiful waterways - the Hastings River, canals, creeks, bays and the Pacific Ocean. The city also has a five-star collection of golden-sand beaches stretching from Port Macquarie Beach to Town Beach and north along the 16-km swathe of North Beach.