Racecourse campground suits a simple surf-and-beach break: spend less time driving to the water and more time beside it. Choose it for a small campground near Crescent Head, with your own water and power. Choose somewhere else if private hot showers, a dog-friendly stay or supervised swimming are central to the trip.
Booking and getting there#
NPWS lists 20 unmarked, unpowered sites for tents, camper trailers and camping beside your vehicle. Reserve the category that matches your equipment; don't assume a full-size caravan fits because a camper trailer does. Online group bookings cover up to 20 people or five sites; larger parties need a group enquiry.
The booking quote depends on dates and party details. Open Search availability on that page or call 1300 072 757 for the total, including any booking charges. We could not retrieve a live quote and have not reused old review prices. Check in after 2pm, leave before 10am, and keep noise down after 10pm. An unmarked campground does not promise a particular numbered pitch or adjoining spaces for friends.
Approach from Crescent Head, following Point Plomer Road south for approximately 6km. The detailed access page lists sealed, 2WD access but also warns that the road can become boggy after rain. Recheck alerts and ask Kempsey NPWS on 02 6561 6700 about the approach if heavy rain is forecast. If water or damaged ground makes access doubtful, return towards Crescent Head; a booking is not a reason to drive through it.
Choosing your spot and arriving#
The official map locates the campground behind Racecourse Headland, north of Delicate. It is an overview, not a pitch plan: it cannot establish the quietest corner, shade hours or a best site number. Confirm the current allocation process with NPWS before arrival, especially for adjacent sites or mobility needs.
Once you reach the gravel parking area, check the arrival instructions and permitted camping area before unloading. Walk the proposed footprint with your tent dimensions in mind. The campground is tiered: a level patch for sleeping can still leave a sloping walk to the toilet. Check the whole route, not just the pitch.
| Your priority | What to choose or inspect | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Easier night-time toilet trips | A level footprint with a workable route to the toilet block's hard-packed gravel paths | Passing campers may matter more than proximity to the sea |
| Children playing beside camp | Enough usable level space for the tent, guy ropes and supervision, clear of vehicle movements | The closest beachward position is not automatically the easiest family setup |
| Less through-traffic | Observe the routes between parking, toilets and beach before settling in | A longer walk with wet gear or at night |
These are inspection criteria, not claims that a particular corner is always quiet. NPWS describes some shelter from southerly winds behind the headland; that does not establish protection from every wind direction. Check the forecast and the actual exposure before positioning your entrance and awning.
What to pack for the facilities#
Bring all drinking and cooking water: the bore supply is non-potable. There are non-flush toilets and cold outdoor beach showers, no private shower block. Pack for rinsing salt off and changing discreetly, rather than expecting a normal bathroom routine. Campsites have no power and generators are prohibited, so charge lighting and any essential equipment before the trip.
Rubbish bins are provided only during peak periods. Leave room in the car to take waste home even if a previous visit had bins. Fires require an off-ground brazier, subject to current restrictions; hire and firewood are available through the campground manager. Arrange this rather than gathering wood. Bring a stove backup and check whether fire restrictions permit its use. Pets are prohibited apart from certified assistance animals, and the park is smoke-free.
A beach day, with a land-based alternative#
The nearby beach makes repeated short visits practical, but it is unpatrolled and can have strong rips. For family swimming, check the current patrolled-beach options and use the flags. Do not substitute a headland's wind shelter for a water-safety assessment.
For a change from sand, drive south along Point Plomer Road to the picnic-area start of Big Hill Rainforest walking track. NPWS gives 1.4km loop, Grade 4, 45–60 minutes. The loop returns to its start; allow extra time for stops and drive back to camp afterwards. Its grade matters more than its short length: it is not an accessible stroll. That outing is in Limeburners Creek National Park, where the published vehicle entry fee is $8/day; allow for it or a valid pass.
Racecourse itself has step-free access, but grass, slopes and uneven natural beach tracks remain. An accessible toilet does not make every pitch-to-beach route suitable for every chair. Describe your needs to the Kempsey office before choosing it.
What campers say#
Six CamperMate reports, dated 2017–February 2025, and a separate April 2024 teardrop-camping account give a small, mixed sample:
- Beach proximity recurs in the 2020 and 2025 comments; the 2024 account describes repeated surf sessions during a five-night stay. That is the clearest reason to accept basic facilities.
- The 2024 visitors enjoyed friendly neighbours. Treat that as one trip's social experience, not a promise of privacy or silence.
- Older 2018–2019 comments criticised maintenance and value. They are too old to establish today's condition, but help explain why a camper expecting holiday-park facilities may be disappointed. One 2025 reviewer found the outdoor shower fairly private; NPWS still explicitly says there is no private shower block.
When another campground fits better#
Delicate campground has 40 unmarked sites, explicitly accommodates caravans and allows dogs in designated areas, with leash rules. Choose it for those needs, accepting a larger, still-basic beach camp and the need to bring drinking and cooking water.
Point Plomer offers a more detailed mapped choice of pitches and broader vehicle camping. Its official information still calls for your own drinking water; showers are cold. Choose it for site planning, not as a hot-shower upgrade.
Reviewed 29 September 2026. Recheck your quote, allocation instructions, road and fire alerts before departure. Pitch dimensions and shade were not established by the public map; ask Kempsey NPWS about your actual setup.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose a numbered site at Racecourse?
The 20 sites are unmarked, and the public map is an overview. Confirm allocation with NPWS, then inspect level ground and routes to the toilets and beach before unloading.
Are there private showers and drinking water?
No private shower block is provided. Showers are cold and outdoors, while the bore water is non-potable. Bring all drinking and cooking water.
Can I take a dog or run a generator?
Pets are prohibited except certified assistance animals, and generators are prohibited. Delicate campground is an alternative with designated dog-friendly areas.