Melaleuca Campground – Goolawah National Park, Crescent Head

Melaleuca Campground offers a wonderful, back-to-nature coastal escape, perfectly capturing the relaxed and rustic charm of the Crescent Head area. Located within the beautiful Goolawah National Park, this spacious campground provides a more sheltered and traditional bush-camping feel compared to some of its more exposed beachfront neighbours. The campground is set in a large, grassy clearing surrounded by a beautiful forest of melaleuca and banksia trees, which provide excellent shade and protection from the coastal winds. It’s a favourite for self-sufficient families and groups who love its peaceful atmosphere and close proximity to the beach.

A short walking track from the campground leads you directly onto the pristine sands of Goolawah Beach, a stunning stretch of coastline that’s perfect for surfing, fishing, and long, leisurely walks. The campground is a haven for native wildlife; you are guaranteed to be sharing the space with large mobs of kangaroos and wallabies, who often graze peacefully right beside your campsite, especially at dawn and dusk. This is a classic, self-reliant national park experience, with basic but well-maintained facilities that include non-flush toilets and fire pits. Campers must book in advance and arrive fully prepared with their own drinking water and firewood. The joy of gathering around a campfire after a day at the beach, listening to the sounds of the bush and the distant ocean, is what makes Melaleuca so special. For an authentic, affordable, and beautiful coastal bush camp, it’s a fantastic choice on the magnificent Macleay Valley Coast.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -31.28003, 152.96279

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 dirt.
• 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: 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 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 (~10 km)
  • Crescent Head Tavern (~10 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • A great selection of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in Crescent Head (~10 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • The famous Crescent Head Point surf break (~11 km)
  • Killick Beach and the town of Crescent Head (~10 km)
  • Hat Head National Park (to the south)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Reflections Holiday Parks Crescent Head (~10 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 (~10 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Service station in Crescent Head (~10 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 (~10 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.