Hat Head National Park has exceptional beauty and is a natural paradise of all national parks. It is located in New South Wales, Australia. It has stunning coastal views and great vantage points with rich wildlife.
There are dunes, rainforests, walking tracks, wetlands, and beach cliffs. It is perfect for camping, swimming, wildlife photography, and bird watching.
You can hear eagles soring sound, and flocks of black swans can be easily spotted during the trip.
Some famous places are Korogoro Creek, Smoky Cape Lighthouse, Southwest Rocks, and Crescent Head. These places also have parking areas.
History of the Park
Hat Head National Park is the traditional land of the aboriginal people. These are known as the Dunghutti people. This site is culturally essential for those people due to the park’s wetlands, shell middens, burial sites, and ceremonial grounds.
In 1770, Captain Cook sailed his ship to the Hat Head. He saw fires on the headlands, and he named it Smoky Cape.
This national park has rivers, seas, headlands, and wetlands. This national park is rich in many sea resources. The people of this place eat fish and shellfish.
Geographical Surroundings
Hat Head National Park is a small area in the narrow sand bar between Korogoro Creek and the Pacific Ocean. It is situated on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia, near Kempsey and Southwest Rocks.
The average elevation of the Park is 6 meters. The area of this national park is 74 km per sq. The managing authority of this national park is NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services.
Things to Do in Hat Head National Park
It is a great place located near southwest rocks with spectacular views. There are many things that you would enjoy in this Park.
Many beaches, dunes, rainforests, camp areas, wetlands, and headlands exist. Marshes offer great walks, excellent fishing areas, and so on.
1. Korogoro Walking Track
Korogoro walking track is very famous in this area. It passes through the heathlands, rainforests, endangered native grasses, and wetlands.
It is 3.2 km long and a medium hike with fewer challenges. You can observe the natural beauty quickly on this walking track.
You will feel the beauty of nature on this track and spot many wildflowers during the walk. There is an entry fee for this walking track.
2. Gap Beach Cliffs
Gap Beach cliffs are the coastal slope created by the waves’ erosive power. There are many beaches in Hat Head National Park. You can enjoy swimming, boardwalking, and playing beach games.
There are many trails near this beach, so you can go hiking. You can also enjoy surfing on the beach.
3. Smoky Cape Track
The most famous and stunning place in the Smoky Cape track is the Smoky Cape Lighthouse, surrounded by spectacular coastal views.
The lighthouse was built in 1891 by James Barnet, a Colonial Architect. Another famous place during this track is Captain Cook’s Lookout. Don’t forget to capture these moments with your camera.
The 4.4km long Smoky Cape Track is moderately challenging. The way of this track goes from the rainforest, and you can easily spot animals and birds on this track.
You can easily spot swamp wallabies, swallow-tailed butterflies, and red-necked wallabies. There are many lush ferns and cabbage tree palms in that dense rainforest.
4. Watching Wildlife
Hat Head National Park is very rich in wildlife. Many different species of animals and birds take shelter in this national park. A specific butterfly species named Regent Skipper is found only in this area.
These species include eagles, whales, black swans, egrets, kookaburra, herons, hawks, fantails, black cockatoo, black she-oak, white-bellied sea eagle, red-necked swamp, grey-headed flying fox, short-beaked echidna, sugar glider, eastern grey kangaroo, and honeyeaters.
You can enjoy whale watching, flocks of birds are easily visible, and the eagles’ soaring sound drives you crazy. Many people want to go bird watching and take wildlife photographs in this national park.
5. Little Bay to Gap Beach Walking Track
It is another fantastic walking track for adventure lovers. Though challenging, you will enjoy birdwatching, scenic views, and fishing there.
Final Note
This Hat Head National Park is famous for its wetlands, headlands, beaches, walking tracks, picnic areas, etc. These places offer an ideal backdrop for camping, hiking, surfing, walking, sightseeing, bushwalking, or quiet picnic lunch.
Some other exciting spots around the park are Trial Bay gaol, Port Macquarie, Macleay Valley Coast, Kemp Corner (a big market where traditional owners sell their products), and Little Bay.
The best time for bird watching there is from May to November, as they migrate annually in these months. So, have a memorable experience at this fantastic park.
Last Updated on December 28, 2023 by ritukhare
