Delicate Campground – Goolawah National Park, Crescent Head

Delicate Campground is a true coastal paradise, offering a classic, back-to-basics beach camping experience in the beautiful Goolawah National Park. Named after the stunning and often sheltered Delicate Beach which it overlooks, this popular campground is a favourite for families, surfers, and anyone looking to escape into nature. The campground itself is a large, open, grassy area set amongst coastal banksias, providing a range of unpowered sites suitable for tents, camper trailers, and caravans. Its position just a short stroll from the beach means you can wake up, grab your surfboard, and be in the water in minutes.

The main attraction is the beautiful Delicate Beach, a picturesque cove that offers protection from certain wind directions, making it a great spot for swimming and for kids to play. The surrounding rock platforms are fantastic for exploring at low tide and are popular spots for rock fishing. Like its nearby neighbour Racecourse, the campground is a haven for wildlife, with large mobs of kangaroos and wallabies being a common and delightful sight, especially at dawn and dusk. This is a self-sufficient national park experience; facilities are basic, including non-flush toilets and cold showers. Campers must book their site in advance and arrive fully prepared with their own drinking water and firewood for the designated fire pits. The ability to enjoy a campfire under the stars while listening to the sound of the ocean is what makes this place so magical. For a beautiful, relaxed, and authentic coastal holiday just down the road from the iconic surf town of Crescent Head, Delicate campground is a top-tier choice.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -31.26011, 152.96818

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: 45 unmarked sites.
• Facilities: Cold showers, 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: 45 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 and rock fishing. A NSW Recreational Fishing Licence is required.
• Short walks: Explore the beach and headlands. Connects with sections of the surrounding coastal tracks.

Local Amenities (in Crescent Head)

• Local Pubs:
  • Crescent Head Country Club (~8 km)
  • Crescent Head Tavern (~8 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A great selection of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in Crescent Head (~8 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • The famous Crescent Head Point surf break (~9 km)
  • Killick Beach and the town of Crescent Head (~8 km)
  • Hat Head National Park (to the south)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Reflections Holiday Parks Crescent Head (~8 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 (~8 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Service station in Crescent Head (~8 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 (~8 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.