You don’t need long on the Mid North Coast to feel a long way from the city. Here’s a relaxed two-night weekend built around Hat Head, with room to do as much or as little as you like.
Friday: arrive and exhale
Leave the M1 at Kempsey and wind your way east. Stock up on supplies before you reach the coast, since Hat Head has a store but no supermarket. Drop your bags, walk straight down to the beach, and watch the light go soft over the headland. Dinner is whatever you brought, eaten outside.
Saturday: beach, creek and headland
Start early with the Korogoro Point walk while it’s cool and the kangaroos are out. Head back for a swim, choosing the surf beach if there’s energy in the water or the creek if you’ve got kids or want calm. Spend the afternoon doing very little: read, paddle the creek, chase rock pools at low tide.
As the day cools, head back up to the headland with a picnic and watch for whales or dolphins offshore.
Sunday: one more swim, then home
A final creek swim, a slow pack-up, and a coffee for the road. If you’ve got time, detour north to South West Rocks, about 40 minutes away, for the historic Trial Bay Gaol and a different beach before you point the car south.
Make it longer
Two nights is enough to reset. Four is bliss. Add day trips up and down the coast, more headland walks, and a lot more nothing.
Planning a trip? Start with our guide to where to stay in Hat Head, and keep an eye out, because South West Rocks is coming to top7stays soon.