We stopped at Hat Head Holiday Park on the way up from Sydney to Brisbane, and it’s a very easy stop to make. We stayed one night in late July with the rooftop tent on the Prado. It’s not your off-grid campground, but the morning walk from here gave us amazing views across the coastline. On the way back we took the inland route and stayed at the much more off-grid Bellbird Campground.
What we like
- Korogoro walk starts at the park
- Korogoro Creek right beside it
- Phone reception
- Warm showers
- Bacon and egg rolls nearby
What we don’t
- Close to your neighbours
- Not an off-grid campground
- No generators on unpowered sites
About Hat Head Holiday ParkAbout
The holiday park is basically at the end of the little Hat Head village, on the NSW Mid North Coast, about 30 minutes from Kempsey and an hour from Port Macquarie. It sits between Korogoro Creek, the beach and Hat Head National Park, and it’s run by Macleay Valley Coast Holiday Parks.
Being at the edge of the village has its upsides: you get phone reception, there’s a kiosk at the park for essentials, and breakfast or lunch is just down the road. We paid $47 for one night on a powered site.
Quick facts
- AddressHat Head Holiday Park, Straight Street, Hat Head NSW 2440, AustraliaSee on the trip map →
- Phone receptionGood
- FacilitiesToiletsHot ShowersPowered SitesCamp KitchenBBQsLaundryPlaygroundKioskWi-FiCaravan AccessWalking TrailsSwimmingNo Generators
- Good to knowOn Korogoro Creek3.2 km walk from the parkDogs on selected sites
- Fees$47 paid (powered, July)From $53 poweredFrom $43 unpowered
- 8.8/10Overall rated
- Book your site
The sites
You’re quite close to your neighbours at Hat Head. Caravans and motorhomes sit in rows along the sealed roads, under big Norfolk pines, and when we were there in July most of the sites around us were taken. Our powered site had a gravel strip for the car and a green geofabric pad beside it, on the grass, which was all we needed with the rooftop tent.
Powered sites are close to the creek and unpowered sites are spread through the park. Both suit tents, caravans, motorhomes and campervans, and generators aren’t permitted on the unpowered sites. If you’d rather not set up at all, there are one- and two-bedroom cabins and bungalows too.
Facilities
The best bit after a day on the road: you can have a warm shower. There are amenities blocks, a camp kitchen and barbecues, plus a laundry, a playground and free Wi-Fi. It’s a long way from a bush camp, and that’s nice on a one-night stop.
The park’s kiosk has the essentials, but for breakfast or lunch we went to Captain Salty in the village, who do good bacon and egg rolls. It’s a handy stop before you get back on the road.
Korogoro Creek
The park backs onto Korogoro Creek, with clear water, a sandy edge and the green hills of the national park on the far side. It’s a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking.
A long white footbridge crosses the creek from the end of the campground, and the water under it is so clear you can see the sandy bottom. The surf beach is a short walk from the park as well.
The Korogoro walking track
This is the reason to stop here. The Korogoro walking track is a 3.2 km loop around the headland in Hat Head National Park, and there’s no driving needed: you just cross the footbridge from the end of the campground, over the creek, to start the track. We did it in the morning and it gave us amazing views across the coastline of the national park. Very much recommended.
The track goes through forest and heath and up a steep climb onto the headland. The turquoise water below looks unreal on a clear day, and you get views along the beach in one direction and rocky gullies with waves crashing in on the other. It’s listed as 1 to 2 hours. We took about an hour and a quarter from the footbridge and back, stopping for plenty of photos. Bring water and proper shoes, as the climb is steep and the ground is rocky in places.
Summary: Is Hat Head Holiday Park Worth It?Summary
Yes, very much so for a stop on the coast. Hat Head Holiday Park isn’t off the grid, and you’re quite close to your neighbours, but you get phone reception, power and a warm shower at the end of a little village, with bacon and egg rolls at Captain Salty down the road. What makes it special is what’s right next to it: Korogoro Creek and a morning walk with amazing views across the coastline of the national park.
An easy, comfortable stop on the way up the coast, with the Korogoro walking track on your doorstep.
You’re close to your neighbours and it’s no off-grid campground, but you get reception, a warm shower and a good bacon and egg roll down the road. Very much recommended.
- Travellers
- Families
- Caravanners
Yes. We paid $47 for a powered site for the night, and the Korogoro walk alone made the stop worth it. Add warm showers, power and the creek, and it’s a good price for this bit of coast.
Recommended Gear for Hat Head Holiday Park
The camp kitchen and barbecues cover the cooking, so you don’t need much here. A couple of camping chairs and some camping lighting are enough at your site, a water bottle comes along on the Korogoro walk, and a good camping towel sorts out the warm shower or a swim in the creek.
