Local Area
Kempsey Local Area
Explore the Attractions around Greater Port Macquarie
Away from the beach, there are plenty of activities to cater for people of all interests and ages. Tackle the action and adventure of a high speed boat or 4WD tour, relax on a scenic river cruise, or take the family to one of our many attractions designed to excite and enthuse both kids and adults alike.
Shopping and art enthusiasts will delight in our boutique shops, galleries, art and crafts centres, while history buffs will love exploring our sign-posted heritage walking trail and museums.
Whatever your pace, you'll be able to come out of your shell and find plenty to enjoy in Greater Port Macquarie.
Greater Port Macquarie
Discover Greater Port Macquarie's attractions - high-speed boat tours, scenic river cruises, family-friendly activities, boutique shops, art galleries, and more.
Explore heritage walking trails, museums, and experience the seaside village of Crescent Head just 19km south east of Kempsey.
Crescent Head Beaches
Crescent Head has the best swimming and fishing on the Mid North Coast at Killick Creek and Crescent Head main beach.
The surfing beaches at Crescent Head include Main Beach, Back Beach, Goolawah Reserve Beach Big Hill, Delicate Nobby and Racecourse Beach.
Crescent Head offers so much for the holiday tourist staying a while or the day tripper. You can play a round of golf at the Crescent Head Country Club, on one of the most picturesque golf courses on the Mid North Coast, right on the ocean.
Gladstone and Smithtown
Smithtown and Gladstone are twin towns separated by the Macleay River, and linked by a traffic bridge and loaded with culture, creativity and history.
Enjoy a relaxing walk from Gladstone to Smithrown and take the time to explore the cafes, the Heritage Hotel, interesting shops and the Kempsey Shire Community Art Gallery. The very popular Gladstone Quality Markets are on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 9 am to 2 pm.
Smithtown is home to the long-established Nestle factory, famous for the original production of Milo.
Hat Head
Hat Head National Park, near Kempsey, is a place of exceptional beauty. The beaches, sand dunes, rainforest and wetlands offer an ideal backdrop for bushwalking, camping or a quiet picnic.
Smoky Cape lighthouse with its stunning coastal views is a must, be sure to take a guided tour.
There are lots of walking tracks to choose from, excellent fishing and whale watching. Birdwatchers can look for black swans and spoonbills in the park’s wetlands, hawks and eagles soaring above beach cliffs and shorebirds like curlews and plovers around the beach.
Jerseyville
Jerseyville was named after the Earl of Jersey, before this it had been known as , also known as Robinson's Wharf, Spencer's Creek, and Pelican Island.
In 1869, George Robinson acquired the land that now makes up Jerseyville and in 1886, he subdivided part of it to create a township.
Jerseyville's history revolves around the river and the Macleay Valley Historical Society publishes information on self-guided historical walks in the region, including a walk at Jerseyville.
South West Rocks
At the entrance of the Macleay River and only a 35km scenic drive north of Kempsey, South West Rocks is a perfect tourist destination with beautiful foreshores, beaches and shopping.
Beaches include: Horseshoe Bay, Main Beach, Trial Bay, South West Rocks Back Beach and Lighthouse Beach, Little Bay, Gap Beach and North Smoky Beach.
For water lovers South West Rocks offers: Swimming ~ Fishing ~ Boat Hire ~ Charter Deep Sea Fishing ~ River Fishing River Cruises ~ Catamaran Hire ~ Sailboard Hire ~ Surfing ~ Sailing Scuba Diving ~ Snorkelling.
Surrounded by National Parks, South West Rocks also offers fantastic bush walks and camping facilities.
Stuarts Point
Stuarts Point was once the first port of call for vessels which entered the river beside Grassy Head the old entrance to the Macleay River.
During the latter part of the 19th Century Stuarts Point was a busy place with schooners, ketches and small steamers of shallow draught putting in to the settlement. The Government wharf was the scene of much activity as vessels loaded and unloaded.
Activity began to decline in the 20th century with the opening of the new river entrance at South West Rocks.
Scotts Head
Scott’s Head is a must-surf destination! Mastering the waves there has seen a number of locals do well on the professional circuit.
From May to October, the Surf Club Headland and Elephant Head are great spots to watch dolphins and migrating humpback whales – sometimes you can even hear whale songs. Steps lead from the beach car park to a viewing platform, sealed pathway and a lookout.
Rocky promontories make Scott’s Head an ideal rock and beach fishing area. Enjoy boating, canoeing and kayaking where fish, birdlife and native animals are in abundance.
Macksville
Macksville, a coastal town with a subtropical climate.
Enjoy some Fishing in the Nambucca River, or a great meal at the Nambucca Hotel. Take a drive through the river valley along Taylors Arm Road, and enjoy a drink at The Pub With No Beer. See the Way Way State Forest, in Macksville.
Bowraville has an early settler history, which has some lovely historical buildings and a great atmosphere in the shopping area of Bowraville.
Nambucca Heads
Nambucca Heads is a coastal holiday town with a perfect subtropical climate and is renowned for its stunning beaches.
Popular activities in Nambucca Heads are fishing, boating, swimming, surfing on the many local beaches.
If you are into lookouts, Nambucca Heads has some beauties - Rotary Lookout, Captain Cook Lookout, and the Lions Lookout. Nambucca Heads has the most magnificent waterways which can be seen by diving or in canoes, kayaks and run-abouts which can be hired.