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Sleepy Hollow Rest Area Southbound, Sleepy Hollow NSW

A Convenient Stop on the Beautiful Tweed Coast

The Sleepy Hollow Rest Area Southbound is a major facility on the Pacific Motorway, serving as a critical rest and overnight camping spot for travellers heading south from the Gold Coast and Brisbane into New South Wales. Located in the picturesque Tweed Shire, this large and well-maintained rest area is the last major stop before Byron Bay, making it an incredibly popular choice for those wanting a safe and free place to break their journey. Its strategic location offers easy access to the charming coastal villages of the Tweed Coast, including Pottsville, Hastings Point, and Cabarita Beach, providing a perfect, no-cost base for exploring this stunning, less-crowded alternative to its more famous southern neighbour.

Designed to handle a high volume of traffic, Sleepy Hollow features a vast, sealed bitumen surface with clearly designated, separate parking areas for cars, caravans, and heavy vehicles, enhancing safety and reducing noise for overnight campers. The facility is equipped with essential amenities for self-sufficient travellers, including clean toilet blocks, sheltered picnic areas for a comfortable meal break, and readily available rubbish bins. Being pet-friendly, it offers a welcome space for furry companions to have a run after being cooped up in a vehicle. Mobile phone reception is generally very reliable. While there is no potable water, power, or dump point on-site, the full services of Tweed Heads and the Gold Coast are just a short drive north. For those journeying south, Sleepy Hollow provides a peaceful, green, and incredibly convenient launching pad to enjoy the pristine beaches, estuaries, and relaxed atmosphere of the Tweed region.

Sleepy Hollow Rest Area Southbound – NSW Map

Name: Sleepy Hollow Rest Area Southbound
Address: 19 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Sleepy Hollow NSW 2483
GPS Coordinates: -28.41438, 153.52529

Site Details

Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers.
Road Access: Sealed highway (Pacific Motorway). Accessible for southbound traffic only.
Site Surface: Bitumen.
Camping Permitted: Yes.
Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
Number of Sites Available: Very large area with 50+ unpowered sites.
Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome.
Fishing: Great fishing options in the nearby Tweed River and at coastal spots like Hastings Point and Pottsville.
Short Walks: Ample space to walk around the large, grassy perimeter of the rest area.

Facilities

Picnic Tables: Yes (sheltered).
Potable Water: No. Ensure you have your own supply.
Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
TV Reception: Strong terrestrial reception.
Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
Rubbish Bins: Yes.
Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
Generator Use: Permitted, with consideration for other users.

Essentials to Bring

A full supply of drinking water.
All necessary food and cooking equipment.
Levelling blocks can be useful as some areas may have a slight slope.

Local Amenities

Pubs

Pottsville Tavern: Approximately 10 km.
Cabarita Beach Hotel: Approximately 15 km.
Tumbulgum Tavern (on the Tweed River): Approximately 20 km.

Places to Eat

Pottsville: Offers a variety of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants (approx. 10 km).
Hastings Point: Home to great cafes like the iconic ‘Caffeine Machine’ (approx. 10 km).
Cabarita Beach: A growing foodie scene with numerous dining options (approx. 15 km).

Local Attractions

Hastings Point Headland: A spectacular whale-watching spot in winter (approx. 10 km).
Cudgen Creek, Kingscliff: A popular spot for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding (approx. 20 km).
Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre: Approximately 25 km.

Caravan Parks

Pottsville Beach Holiday Park: Approximately 10 km.
North Star Holiday Resort, Hastings Point: Approximately 10 km.
Tweed Coast Holiday Parks Kingscliff Beach: Approximately 20 km.

Next Free Camps

Yelgun Rest Area (Southbound): Approximately 10 km south.
Chinderah (Jack Evans) Rest Area (Northbound): Requires travelling north to turn around, approx. 30 km travel distance.

Services

Nearest Dump Point: Tweed Heads Visitor Information Centre (approx. 25 km north).
Nearest Petrol Station: Large service centres on the Pacific Motorway at Chinderah (north) and Tweed Heads.
Drinking Water Resupply: Available at public parks in Pottsville or Kingscliff.
Public Toilets: Available in all nearby coastal towns.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Tweed Coast

Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot and humid, with high rainfall and the possibility of thunderstorms. Ideal for swimming and water activities.
Autumn (Mar-May): Warm, sunny, and less humid. Generally considered the most pleasant season.
Winter (Jun-Aug): Mild, dry, and sunny days with cool evenings. Perfect for hiking and whale watching.
Spring (Sep-Nov): Beautifully warm and sunny as the region transitions back to summer.