Port Macquarie to Crescent Head road trip: Distance, time & best stops

The best stops on a Port Macquarie to Crescent Head road trip itinerary include Billabong Zoo and Kempsey. By car, the Port Macquarie to Crescent Head distance is 70km and driving time around 49m.

A Port Macquarie to Crescent Head road trip connects one of the largest cities on New South Wales North Coast to one of Australia’s top surf towns.

Port Macquarie offers lots of koalas, the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and scenic helicopter flights. For the best Port Macquarie accommodation deals, step this way.

To book low rates on Crescent Head accommodation, head here.

However, there are several excellent attractions between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head. This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Port Macquarie to Crescent Head road trip itinerary.

Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.

Port Macquarie to Crescent Head distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head is 70km. This makes for a driving time of around 49 minutes.

The best road trip stops between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head are Billabong Zoo and Kempsey.

Things to do in Port Macquarie include the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and taking scenic helicopter flights.

Port Macquarie accommodation picks

The best Port Macquarie accommodation options are…

For a great value motel: East Port Motor Inn.
For families: NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park.
For quality apartments with a heated pool: Northpoint Apartments.
For beachside location: Flynns Beach Resort.
For overall quality: The Mid Pacific.

Stay with the Pacific Highway and Billabong Zoo and Cassegrain Wines are the main attractions before reaching Kempsey.

Port Macquarie to Crescent Head drive: Kempsey

Kempsey pays tribute to the nation’s most adored country musician at the Slim Dusty Centre.

Kempsey accommodation picks include the riverside Park Drive Motel and the pool-equipped Motel Kempsey.

Port Macquarie to Crescent Head road trip: Crescent Head Road

At the southern end of Kempsey, dogleg back to the south-east down Crescent Head Road. The road skirts the northern end of Maria National Park before reaching surfer favourite Crescent Head. Surfaris hosts its long-running surf camps here.

Crescent Head is best known for its surf beaches – Killick Beach and Goolawah Beach are either side of the small town. However, it can also be used as a base for exploring Goolawah National Park, Limeburners Creek National Park and Hat Head National Park.

The main accommodation option in Crescent Head is the Crescent Head Holiday Park.