Best Beaches on the Macleay Valley Coast
The Macleay Valley Coast is home to so many amazing beaches that it’s hard to choose just a few. Encompassing the towns of South West Rocks, Crescent Head, Hat Head, Grassy Head, Kempsey, Bellbrook and Gladstone, many gems in this region remain largely undiscovered. Here are some of Coastbeat’s favourite places to soak up the summer rays.
- Trial Bay, South West Rocks
This long stretch of white sand beach is equally popular with locals and holiday-makers. Like Byron Bay’s Main Beach, the waters of Trial Bay – one of the few north-facing beaches on the East Coast – are predominantly calm and perennially inviting. Find a secluded corner under a tree and relax while you watch the kids play in the shallows or grab your paddle board and enjoy some ‘me-time’ on the ocean. Time it right and you might see a whale breaching as it moves down the coast with its calf.
- Killick Creek and Crescent Head Beach
Killick Creek is famous among visitors who make the annual pilgrimage to the Crescent Head Holiday Park. At the height of summer, Killick Creek is full of families floating along in colourful tubes, while winter is the perfect time to don a wetsuit and have the creek all to yourself. The creek runs out to the Crescent Head Point Surfing Reserve, a near-perfect right-hander that suits surfers of all abilities.
- Hat Head Beach
It doesn’t get more picturesque than Hat Head, a tiny town bordered by a lush creek that meanders out to a calm beach. During the summer, the creek is home to tropical fish that can’t be seen any further south than Hat Head, making it a great place for snorkelling.
- Horseshoe Bay, South West Rocks
This tiny beach is located right in the heart of South West Rocks, watched over by the Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park. The beach has an easy entry to waves that are great for board riding or body surfing. Best of all, it’s close to the shops, so you can enjoy fish and chips on the hill overlooking the bay before jumping in for another dip.
- Grassy Head Beach
This little-known gem has a secret fan base of visitors who spend Christmas in the Grassy Head Holiday Park playing cricket and swimming in the beautiful beach, which is located a stone’s throw from the park. Walk around the headland to find your own rock pools or enjoy an uncrowded surf at the back beach – you’ll discover why we think Grassy Head is a truly untouched paradise.
- Point Plomer
If you’re willing to endure a bumpy ride, Point Plomer is well worth it. Situated 15 minutes from Crescent Head along Point Plomer Road, this beautiful beach is very popular with fisherman and campers. Pack your tent or swag and stay right by the water’s edge, waking up to one of the most spectacular sunrises on the coast.
