Cheap beach camping spot with crystal clear waters and abundant wildlife: 'Heaven on earth’

Australia’s coastline is dotted with spectacular beaches and swimming spots, but there’s one lesser-known gem on the NSW Mid-North Coast that has been leaving travellers awestruck. With waters clear enough to see a school of kingfish swim by, and kangaroos bounding up bush tracks, it’s no wonder Hat Head is capturing the imagination of travellers.

This idyllic location is just half an hour south of the more famous South West Rocks and has a holiday park that backs right onto the water, making it an excellent, budget-friendly holiday spot. With camping and caravanning one of the country's most popular pastimes right now, it's likely that more Aussies will be seeking out the beauty and peacefulness of Hat Head this summer.

Aimee O'Gara, a yoga teacher who lives in Coffs Harbour, recently visited and calls it “one of the most underrated places on the east coast of Australia”.

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“I was thoroughly surprised by Hat Head,” she tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “I had never heard about it and was shocked that it’s not talked about more.”

“I’d recommend it to anyone travelling the east coast of Australia! Truly a hidden gem,” she says.

What to do at Hat Head

One of the key attractions is the Hat Head National Park and the 3.2km Korogoro Walking Track which Aimee hiked during peak whale watching season. “The water was crystal clear and I must’ve seen hundreds of whales that day,” she says.

The walking track circles the headland at Hat Head, snaking through the heathlands and coastal forest of the national park, and offering spectacular views of the coastline and its underwater inhabitants including dolphins, large schools of fish, and of course the whales when they make their annual migration.

Another highlight of the area is the bush-lined creek which makes for an excellent snorkelling and paddleboarding spot at high tide.

In one video, a half dozen kingfish can be seen gliding by, just below the surface of the glass-like water.

In fact, it’s hard to find a post about Hat Head on TikTok or Instagram that doesn’t mention the creek’s incredibly clear water, with people describing it as the “clearest water I’ve seen”, “the clearest water to swim in, especially at high tide,” and “the clearest water in NSW”.

Others rave about the Hat Head creek as “heaven on earth” and a “must-visit spot”, while one commenter says, “we’re lapping Australia at the moment with our kids and just left there (Hat Head), the most magical spot we’ve seen in a while”.

How much does it cost to stay at Hat Head Caravan Park?

At the foot of the headland, nestled in between the stunning creek and a 12km beach, is the Hat Head Holiday Park which has powered and unpowered sites for campers and caravaners as well as one and two bed cabins.

Camping starts at just $40 a night, while the cabins go from $164 and all have reverse-cycle air conditioning. The holiday park also has a playground for kids and is dog friendly during low and mid peak periods.

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But with so many people now raving about this ‘hidden gem’ on socials, booking in advance is a very good idea.

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