Get driving directions

From Kempsey:

• From the Pacific Highway take the South West Rocks Road to Kinchela.
• Follow the signs to Hat Head National Park

From Nambucca Heads:

• From the Pacific Highway take the South West Rocks Road via Gladstone
• Turn right onto the Hat Head Road at Kinchela and follow to the park

Road quality

• Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

By bike

Check out the Bicycle information for NSW for more information.

By public transport

For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website

This park's sweeping beaches are extremely inviting during summer, but its wildlife and walking tracks make it a joy to visit all year round.

Spring

A birdwatcher's delight as the heath shrubland bursts into a kaleidoscope of wild flowers and birds come from all around, listen out for the guttural call of glossy black cockatoos.

Summer

Take a coastal bushwalk to experience wildflower displays amongst the banksias.

Winter

Spot humpback and southern right whales migrating to northern waters between May and July.

Toilets

• Green Island walking track
• Hungry Gate campground
• Little Bay to Gap Beach walking track
• Smoky Cape campground
• Smoky Cape picnic area

Picnic tables

• Green Island walking track
• Hungry Gate campground
• Little Bay to Gap Beach walking track
• Smoky Cape campground
• Smoky Cape picnic area

Barbecue facilities

• Smoky Cape picnic area

• Hat Head National Park factsheet
• Hat Head National Park map (5.6MB pdf)
• Hat Head National Park overview map (2.3MB pdf)
• Hat Head National Park walks map (3.5MB pdf)

Park entry fees:

$8 per vehicle per day.

• All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
• Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
• Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)
• Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)

• Smoky Cape Lighthouse tour Walk alongside an NPWS ranger on an intimate tour of Smoky Cape lighthouse, the highest lighthouse in New South Wales. Take in the stunning coastal scenery, in your own small group.
• Smoky Cape Range walking track Discover the beauty of the South West Rocks region on the Smoky Cape Range walking track. Hike this 5.5km coast walk and enjoy sensational views.

• Little Bay to Gap Beach walking track Little Bay to Gap Beach walking track is a challenging walk offering birdwatching, swimming, fishing and scenic views in Hat Head National Park, near South West Rocks.

• Green Island walking track Green Island walking track goes through coastal heathland to a lookout with scenic views to Smoky Cape Lighthouse, offering excellent birdwatching and whale watching.
• Smoky Cape Lighthouse Hat Head National Park on the mid-north coast of NSW near South West Rocks is a natural paradise. Explore the lighthouse, camp by the beach and go fishing and swimming.

Animals

• 

  White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

  White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

• 

  Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

  Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.

• 

  Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

  One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.

• 

  Green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)

  The green and golden bell frog is an endangered Australian frog. Once common on the NSW coast and tablelands, populations have plummeted around 90 percent.

Plants

• 

  Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)

  The black sheoak is one of a number of casuarina species found across the east coast of Australia and nearby tablelands. Growing to a height of 5-15m, these hardy Australian native plants can survive in poor or sandy soils. The barrel-shaped cone of the black sheoak grows to 10-30mm long.

• 

  Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

  An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.