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Explore

Explore

Macleay
Valley Coast

Visit Macleay Valley Coast. The NSW Mid North Coast’s premier regional destination. Holiday here for a weekend or pop in on your next road trip.

Located just 45-minutes north of Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast, the Macleay Valley Coast offers an appealing mix of beautiful coastline and stunning hinterland as well as stand out attractions and vistas you won’t find anywhere else.

Stretching from Crescent Head in the south to Grassy Head in the north and the Hinterland to the west there is so much to explore when you visit the Macleay Valley Coast!

Explore the Macleay Valley

Explore more of the fantastic places to go on the Macleay Valley Coast.

Places To Go

Things To Do

Places To Stay

Plan Your Trip

Macleay Valley Coast Map

Discover local gems on our Macleay Valley Coast map!

Top 10 things to do

There’s always something new to discover on the Macleay Valley Coast.

Nature Trails of the Macleay

There’s more to the Macleay Valley Coast than breathtaking beaches and world-class waves. From hiking and observing the feathered natives of the Australian bush, to zooming through eucalyp

Itineraries

With the Macleay Valley Coast as your guide, embark on a range of itineraries throughout our region. Use our itineraries below to plan your holiday, then book accommodation, experiences, tou

Shopping

All the Macleay Valley’s finest shopping treasures can be found at markets and nestled in local boutiques, who more often than not, support local designers and makers. Don’t expect chain

Walking & Hiking

There’s more to the Macleay Valley Coast than breathtaking beaches and world-class waves. Pack a picnic, get back to nature and explore our diverse National Parks on these fantastic walkin

Family Fun

An endless choice of brilliant beaches, from gentle rolling waves in secluded bays to pounding point breaks. Soft serve ice cream and crunchy fish and chips. Bike tracks, bushwalks and sand

Camping

Whether you’re after a secluded hinterland getaway or want to dip your toes in the ocean, the Macleay Valley offers a variety of incentives to get you packing your tent and heading out int

Festivals & Events

Looking for what’s on in the Macleay Valley? Explore what’s happening in our region now!

Arts & Culture

The Macleay Valley is home to a rich Indigenous history and a vibrant culture that is maintained by strong local Indigenous groups, art galleries and events. Whether you’re after a unique

Beaches & Surfing

Whether you’re a surfer, in need of a gentle bay for the kids to splash in or just want to walk on the sand without seeing a soul, there’s a beach waiting here just for you. With hund

Food & Drink

As one of the major growing areas on the NSW coast, the Macleay Valley Food Bowl is a rich agricultural region that supplies many metropolitan markets with produce grown in rich soil and a t

What’s On

Looking for what’s on in the Macleay Valley Coast? Explore what’s happening in our region now!

Markets

Gigs/Live Music

Art Trail

Classes & Workshops

Beachside Markets South West Rocks
08/11/2025 - 13/07/2026

Beachside Markets South West Rocks are located within the reserve area at picturesque Horseshoe Bay on the second Saturday of each month. Browse through the abundance of stalls offering fre

Bellbrook Yowie Festival
02/10/2026 - 04/10/2026

Get ready for a weekend of country charm, community spirit, and unforgettable experiences at the Bellbrook Yowie Festival this October Long Weekend. Set in the stunning Macleay Valley, the

Drag Paint and Sip - Kempsey
19/06/2026 - 19/06/2026

She's back, brushes out and lashes on. Drag Paint and Sip is the fabulously fun, constantly-requested event that's finally here. Hosted by the iconic Terry Daktyl and Sab from Paint Your Pe

Love and Forgetting - Tales from a Young Mixer
30/05/2026 - 30/05/2026

Join them at The Stables for an unforgettable evening where hospitality meets theatre, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Rare Bird ensemble brings their acclaimed cabaret to the Mid-No

Macleay Valley Coast MVMB Race Series
28/03/2026 - 13/09/2026

Mountain Bike event over 2 days. Cross Country loop approximately 7km as many times as you can in either 2 or 4 hours, short loops for juniors on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning Gravity E

Moving Image Exhibition
30/04/2027 - 03/05/2027

Moving Image is an exhibition platform for visual work in motion; spanning clips, animation, film, experimental edits, and sound-led visuals. The exhibition will unfolds across Sea Sea, with

Pop-Up Dumpling House at The Stables
07/05/2026 - 28/05/2026

Join them at The Stables for their limited time 'Pop-up Dumpling House'. There will be a large menu that includes dumplings, gyoza, soups and stirfrys to keep everyone happy! Running every T

Crescent Head Community Markets
12/10/2025 - 09/08/2026

These colourful markets on the Crescent Head foreshore have stallholders selling a great variety of fresh local produce, fresh seafood, jams and pickles, homemade goods, fishing gear, surf g

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Explore the Macleay Valley

Explore more of the fantastic places to go on the Macleay Valley Coast.

Smithtown

Boating. It’s what river folk do. And at Smithtown you’ll see all kinds of vessels entering and exiting the mighty Macleay River at the boat ramp. It’s the hub of Macleay River life.

Stuarts Point

Stuarts Point was the port for vessels entering the Macleay River from the river's old entrance. This silted over when a new entrance was forged by flood in 1893. Now the riverside hamle

Frederickton

Frederickton is the next village just north of Kempsey located on Macleay Valley Way. Fredo Pies and Café is a must-do when in town, make sure to try one of the famous croc pies! The Gard

Yarrahapinni

About 40 minutes north of Kempsey, Yarrahapinni boasts one of the most spectacular views on the coast. On a clear day, from the top of 498-metre Mount Yarrahapinni in the Yarriabini National

Grassy Head

Get yourself to Grassy Head to discover one of the Macleay Valley Coast’s unspoiled gems. Grassy Head is a great holiday spot for families, thanks to its abundance of fish and birdlife, ki

Macleay Valley Hinterland

The Macleay Valley Hinterland is a wild and natural area with a rich indigenous, agricultural and musical history. Exploring this neck of the woods requires a bit of initiative and an advent

Kempsey

Nestled on the banks of the Macleay River, Kempsey is the major service town of the Macleay Valley Coast. Kempsey is a blend of old-world charm and a thriving regional river town, and famous

Gladstone

Nestled on the banks of the Macleay River, Gladstone is a charming little village brimming with creativity, history and culture. Listed as a ‘Creative Community’ on the Mid North Coast A

Hat Head

Hat Head on the mid-north coast of New South Wales near South West Rocks is a natural paradise. With 12km of uninterrupted beachfront and crystal clear Korogoro Creek, the ultimate getaway a

Crescent Head

Crescent Head is a village characterised by the rich surfing culture that runs deep in its veins. While it may be easy-going and shoes are optional, this surf-soaked town is anything but sle

South West Rocks

Boasting jaw-dropping beaches, world-class fishing and diving and a host of hiking trails, South West Rocks is a haven for nature-lovers. It’s also home to the Trial Bay Gaol, a unique att

Top Itineraries

Unlock Tourist Drive 14

Nature Trails of the Macleay

24 hours in the hinterland

Discover Tourist Drive 12