Arakoon National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Arakoon National Park.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From South West Rocks:
- Take South West Rocks Road along the Macleay River from East Kempsey (37km)
- Or take Tourist Route 12 from South Kempsey to travel via Crescent Head (80km).
Park entry points
- Arakoon National Park access See on map
- Little Bay access See on map
Parking Show more
- Front Beach See on map
- Little Bay picnic area See on map
- Trial Bay Gaol See on map
- Trial Bay Gaol campground See on map
- Trial Bay Kiosk Restaurant See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Arakoon National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
The wildflowers will be out so it’s a great time to hike the park’s walking tracks. Keep an eye out for the glossy black cockatoos that feed on the seeds of ripe she-oak fruit during spring.
Summer
School's out and it's a great time for a family camping holiday – spend your days swimming, snorkelling, fishing and exploring the park's attractions.
Winter
Catch the whales on their journey north along the coast.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
41.7°C
Winter temperature
Average
12°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
343.7mm
Facilities
Amenities
Toilets
- Front Beach
- Little Bay picnic area
- Trial Bay Gaol
- Trial Bay Gaol campground
- Trial Bay Kiosk Restaurant
Picnic tables
- Front Beach
- Little Bay picnic area
- Trial Bay Gaol
- Trial Bay Gaol campground
- Trial Bay Kiosk Restaurant
Barbecue facilities
Boat ramp
Cafe/kiosk
Drinking water
Showers
Electric power
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Please contact the Trial Bay Gaol Visitor Centre office in advance to notify us if you intend to visit with a certified assistance animal.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Arakoon National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Trial Bay Gaol Visitor Centre
02 6566 6168
Contact hours: 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. - 73 Trial Bay Gaol Road, Arakoon NSW 2431
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Email: npws.hastingsmacleay@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Trial Bay Gaol Visitor Centre
Nearby towns
South West Rocks (4 km)
South West Rocks is a sleepy coastal retreat at its barefoot best. It's an oceanfront holiday town on north-facing Trial Bay.
Kempsey (37 km)
Kempsey is a historic river town close to national parks and majestic beaches. Kempsey is a convenient place for an overnight stop for anyone driving between Sydney and the North Coast.
Crescent Head (58 km)
Crescent Head on the NSW North Coast is surrounded by some of the stunning natural environments in the State. As well as long stretches of coastline with fabulous beaches, there is a string on coastal national parks to explore. Go surfing, fishing, boating and bushwalking, enjoy bird watching or whale watching, spot dolphins, turtles and even koalas in the wild.