Christmas & Summer Holidays Forrest - Crescent Head

Christmas & Summer Holidays Forrest Crescent Head can be a great time to connect with family and friends. Here are some great family-friendly ideas for spending the school holidays in and around Crescent Head (NSW) a beautiful coastal setting, relaxed pace, plenty of nature and beach-time to go around.

Top things to do Christmas & Summer Holidays Forrest - Crescent Head

Beach & surf fun at Killick Beach

• Killick Beach is known for its gentle right-hand surf break, making it one of Australia’s top surf spots. (Visit NSW)

• For families, it’s ideal: you’ve got sand, water, possible surf lessons, and a relaxed beach vibe.
  

Tip: Bring swim-gear, rash-shirts for the kids (sun protection is key), maybe consider a beginner surf or body-board lesson if the kids are keen.

Swim or paddle in Killick Creek

• A calmer alternative to open ocean – nice for younger children or a more relaxed water experience.

  
  

Tip: Check where safe entry points are, bring life-vests for younger children, and aim for earlier in the day when the heat is moderate.

Scenic walks & lookouts

• The lookout above the golf club offers panoramic views of the town, headland, beaches.

• An easy stroll along the foreshore or to “Little Nobby” headland is a nice light activity for all ages.

• Visit Crescent Head Tavern for lunch or dinner. Both adult and kid friendly with great food, drinks and live music. (Crescent Head Tavern)

  
  

Tip: Bring a camera for sunset, pack water and hat for safety. Great to do late afternoon.

Explore nature & national parks

• Nearby is Goolawah National Park where you can enjoy more secluded beaches and nature. (Goolawah National Park)

• Also the surrounding rainforest/ headland walks add variety to the typical beach day.

  
  

Tip: If staying multiple days, plan one “nature day” with picnic, maybe bird-spotting, mini-hike.

Family-friendly non-beach activities

• Play a round (or shorter version) of golf with older kids: the Crescent Head Country Club has incredible views.

• Town centre: relaxed cafés, a bakery or two (easy for a family coffee/ice-cream break).

• Cycle or scooter around town/foreshore as an alternative to beach all day.

  
  

Tip: Pack some indoor activities or downtime for younger children – even in a beach holiday, rest matters.

Special tips for the Christmas school holidays

• December-January will be summer, so expect hotter weather and possibly more people and traffic.

• Book accommodation early as this is a popular time.

• Bring sun-protection: hats, rash vests, sunscreen (the Aussie sun can be intense).

• Consider one “quiet moment” each day: maybe morning swim when it’s cooler, then rest/siesta, then afternoon activity.

• Mixed weather possible: even beach towns sometimes get showers so have a backup indoor plan (board games, local library/café wifi).

• If you’re charging an EV or planning logistics: check local chargers / parking early.

• EV charging – available in Crescent Head town (EVX-Pole Charger - Rankine St) and Kempsey (check PlugShare before departure).

7-Day Family Itinerary

Here’s a 7-day family holiday schedule based out of Delicate Nobby / Delicate Campground (Forster–Delicate / Goolawah National Park area). This location is quieter and closer to nature than Crescent Head township, but still only a short drive (approx. 10–12 minutes) from the town centre for supplies, cafés, golf, and surf lessons.

I’ve designed this with:

• Relaxed mornings and active afternoons

• Mix of beach, creek, forest, wildlife, culture, and a small adventure

• Kid-friendly flow 

• Local driving only (all day trips lees than 45 mins)

Basecamp: Forrest Delicate Nobby

• Direct access to surfing and quiet beaches

• Wildlife often visit at sunrise/sunset

• Great stargazing at night
  

Day 1 – Arrival & Settle In

Morning

• Arrive and get comfortable in the accommodation

• Explore Crescent Head, local facilities, safety briefing with family

Afternoon

• Walk to Delicate Nobby Beach (approx. 20 min or drive 5 mins) - access to beach via path opposite Big Hill Cabins off Plomer Road.

• Relaxed swim or play in the shallows (watch conditions – can be rough at times, so stick to edges)

• Watch out for dolphins and sea eagles along the beach

Evening

• BBQ dinner at Forrest

• Stargazing – this area has almost zero light pollution
  

Day 2 – Crescent Head Foreshore & Killick Creek Day

Morning

• 12-minute drive to Crescent Head

• Light walk to Little Nobby Lookout for panoramic views

• Morning tea at Barnett’s Bakery (famous pies & pastries)

Afternoon

• Killick Creek swimming, sand play & paddleboarding

• Ideal for children (calm water, shallow)

• Optional kayak hire from local operator

Evening

• Town fish & chips on the headland while watching surfers
  

Day 3 – Nature & Wildlife Immersion

Morning

• Bushwalk through Goolawah National Park

• Look for birdlife (kookaburras, sea eagles, lorikeets)

• Optional: guided Indigenous cultural walk (if available during school holidays)

Afternoon

• Picnic lunch at Racecourse Beach

• Rock pooling and shell collecting (tide dependent)

Evening

• Campfire stories (if allowed, depends on fire bans)

• Family board games/cards in the tent or camper
  

Day 4 – Active Adventure & Golf

Morning

• Surf lesson at Crescent Head or bodyboarding

• Surf schools available during school holidays

Afternoon

• Crescent Head Country Club

  • Play 9 holes or mini-golf with ocean views

  • Parents can enjoy a drink while kids run on the grass

Evening

• Dinner at Country Club bistro or back to camp for relaxed night
  

Day 5 – Day Trip South to Point Plomer

Morning

• Short scenic coastal drive (4WD recommended or check road conditions)

• Explore Point Plomer Beach – excellent for family day

• Dolphin spotting possible from Point Plomer Lookout

Afternoon

• BBQ picnic at Plomer

• Bushwalk along headland or just relax under beach shelter

Evening

• Return to camp for a quiet night & early bed
  

Day 6 – Creek & Culture Day

Morning

• Back to Crescent Head for stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or kayaking on Killick Creek

• Visit the local skate park or playground next to the creek

Afternoon

• Drive to Kempsey (25 mins)

  • Visit Slim Dusty Centre – Australian history & interactive exhibits

  • Stop at a local café for milkshakes

Evening

• Return to camp via coastal route

• Sunset walk along the beach near Delicate Nobby
  

Day 7 – Relax & Choose Your Favourite

Morning

• Have a “choose your own adventure” morning:

  • Beach swim

  • Creek paddle

  • Surf

  • coffee run into Crescent Head

Afternoon

• Kids’ choice day: repeat favourite activities from previous days

• Souvenir shopping in Crescent Head (local markets often run over holidays)

Evening

• Farewell beach walk

• Pack-down preparation

• Watch final sunset as a family moment

Optional Add-Ons Depending on Interest

Activity	Location	Notes
Horse riding on the beach	Near Crescent Head	Guided tours available during summer
Snorkelling	Delicate & Racecourse Beach	Best on clear, calm days
Fishing	Delicate Campground or Killick Creek	Kids’ fishing off rocks, beach or creek edge
Yoga on the headland	Crescent Head	Morning group sessions often run in holidays
Whale/dolphin cruise	South West Rocks (45 min drive)	If willing to travel one day

Tailoring for the children & family of four

To make this especially fun for your children and the whole family:

• On each beach/creek visit: give the kids a “wildlife spotting” mission (e.g., find a sea eagle, a starfish, a sea shell, a bee-eater). Because the holiday home emphasises rainforest & birds at Delicate Nobby. Forrest Delicate Nobby
  

• For the bushwalk day: bring a simple field-guide or print one for “birds and reptiles of NSW coast” so they can tick off species (kangaroos, lizards, bee-eaters).
  

• For surf lessons: choose a surf school with kids’ class and encourage building confidence (body-board first, then surfboard).
  

• For the Country Club/mini-golf: ensure kids can play – ask for kids’ club or kids’ menu.
  

• On day-trip: At Point Plomer, include a “photo-scavenger hunt” list: find a vantage view, a wild flower, footprints on the sand, etc.
  

• Every evening: Have a “moment of the day” where each family member says their favourite part of the day (helps younger ones reflect and children feel heard).
  

• Free-choice morning on Day 7: let the kids pick the activity themselves (with options you present) so they feel ownership.
  

• Keep tech minimal: maybe one morning or afternoon “tablet time” as a reward (for reading or photos) after outdoor activity.
  

• Pack some quiet time or indoor games (for when younger kids may get tired). Don’t fill every minute; aim for balance.

Tips for Success

• Weather can change quickly – have both beach and backup activities ready.

• Early mornings are gold for wildlife, surf and cooler temperatures.

• Pack insect repellent – being near national parks, insects increase at dusk.

• Book surf lessons and cultural tours early (holiday period fills up fast).

• EV charging – available in Crescent Head town (EVX-Pole Charger - Rankine St) and Kempsey (check PlugShare before departure).