Racecourse Campground – Crescent Head

For those who love a classic, no-frills beach camping experience, Racecourse Campground is a true gem on the NSW Mid North Coast. Located in the beautiful Goolawah National Park, this spacious campground offers an authentic back-to-basics escape, just a stone’s throw from the legendary surf town of Crescent Head. The campground is a vast, open, grassy area set just behind the dunes of the stunning Goolawah Beach, offering a huge number of unpowered sites where you can spread out and find your own perfect spot. It’s a favourite for self-sufficient campers, surfers, and families who are drawn to its relaxed atmosphere and incredible natural setting.

The main attraction is the direct access to the beach, a beautiful and often uncrowded stretch of sand perfect for surfing the various beach breaks, casting a line for some beach fishing, or simply enjoying long walks along the shore. The campground is a haven for wildlife, and it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be sharing the space with large mobs of resident kangaroos and wallabies, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. This is a classic national park bush camp with facilities limited to non-flush toilets and fire pits, so you must arrive fully self-reliant with your own drinking water and be prepared to take your rubbish with you. The freedom to have a campfire under the stars and wake up to the sound of the ocean is what makes this place so special. For a budget-friendly, beautiful, and authentic coastal adventure, Racecourse campground is an outstanding choice.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -31.24942, 152.96044

Site Information

• Location: Goolawah National Park, south of Crescent Head.
• Site suitable for: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, and motorhomes.
• Road access: Unsealed Point Plomer Road. Generally 2WD accessible with care, but can be corrugated and rough in sections.
• Site surface: Grass and sand.
• Camping permitted: Yes, bookings and park entry fees are essential via the NSW National Parks website.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check booking details.
• Number of un-powered sites: 65 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues/fire pits.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own drinking water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Limited. Telstra service is patchy.
• TV reception: Unlikely.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: 65 sites.

Essentials to Bring

• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood.
• Beach gear: surfboards, fishing equipment, swimmers.
• Insect repellent.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Excellent beach fishing. A NSW Recreational Fishing Licence is required.
• Short walks: Explore Goolawah Beach and connect with sections of the surrounding coastal tracks.

Local Amenities (in Crescent Head)

• Local Pubs:
  • Crescent Head Country Club (~6 km)
  • Crescent Head Tavern (~6 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A great selection of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in Crescent Head (~6 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • The famous Crescent Head Point surf break (~7 km)
  • Killick Beach and the town of Crescent Head (~6 km)
  • Hat Head National Park (to the south)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Reflections Holiday Parks Crescent Head (~6 km)
  • Point Plomer Campground (further down Point Plomer Rd)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is located in Crescent Head (~6 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Service station in Crescent Head (~6 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Crescent Head. It is essential to arrive at the park fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. Public toilets are also available at the beach foreshore in Crescent Head (~6 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Mid North Coast

• Summer (December – February): Hot and humid, perfect for swimming and surfing. High chance of thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 21°C to 28°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and mild evenings. Often the best time for surfing. Temperatures range from 16°C to 26°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool, crisp, and often sunny days with cool nights. Great for whale watching. Temperatures range from 9°C to 20°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The bush is vibrant with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 14°C to 25°C.