More about Hat Head

Destination:
Small coastal village east of Kempsey, New South Wales Australia.

Located 459 km north of Sydney and 32 km north-east of Kempsey, Hat Head is a tiny village nestled in the Hat Head National Park which, because it is not easy to access, has become a holiday retreat for those who want to get away from the 'madding crowd'.

Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area had been inhabited by the Ngamba-ngagu Aborigines. Their peaceful existence was briefly disturbed in 1817 when John Oxley passed through the area but he found the river swampy and inaccessible and did nothing to encourage settlement.

By the early 1840s, as was typical with most of the north coast of New South Wales, the primary European interest was in the cedar (at one point there were 200 cutters in the area) and once this was exhausted (by about 1842) the land returned to the pastoralists. At various times beef, sugar cane (it failed), maize and dairy cattle formed the district's economy.

Hat Head village is located in the heart of Hat Head National Park. The area is characterised by excellent surfing beaches and good fishing. It is also noted for the whales and dolphins off the coast and the many coastal birds who live in the heathland flora which characterises much of the area.

The area has been at the vanguard of coastal protection. As early as 1987 Hat Head was chosen for a pilot dune care scheme. The following year the Hat Head Community Dune Care Group - the first of its kind in Australia - was formed.

Things to see:

Korogoro Creek
Korogoro Creek runs behind the village and reaches the ocean at the southern end of Hat Head Beach, the district's impressive 15 km beach. It is a popular place to swim, to canoe and explore.

Hat Head National Park
Hat Head National Park is 6445 hectares with camping facilities at Smoky Cape and Hungry Head.

There are a number of good walks in the park. The popular ones near the township include:

1. Korogoro Point - this walk is about 2km and starts at the reserve, crosses the creek and makes its way north through coastal rainforest and east along the grassy slopes of Hat Hill. This walk through stands of paperbark and casuarinas leads to the Korogoro Arch and Cave, a dramatic formation which can be explored at low tide.

2. Connors Beach lies to the south of the town. It includes both Gap Beach and Third Beach and offers excellent views from the headlands which separate the beaches.

For information contact the Kempsey Tourist Information Centre, Lachlan St (Pacific Highway) - tel: (02) 6563 1555, fax: 6563 1537, toll free 1800 64 2480 or the Port Macquarie District National Parks and Wildlife Service Office on (02) 6584 2203. There are good brochures available.

Fishing
Hat Head is a notable fishing destination. Apart from their being excellent catches close to the coastline the fact that the continental shelf drops to depths of 70 metres quite close to the town means that it is also an ideal location for anglers eager to try their luck offshore.

Apartments
Hat Head Serene Lodge & Korogoro Apartments
54 Straight St
Hat Head NSW 2440
Telephone: (02) 6567 7617
Holiday Homes & Units

Creek St Holiday Units
17 Creek St
Hat Head NSW 2440
Telephone: (02) 6567 7670

Hat Head Haven Holiday Units
79 Straight St
Hat Head NSW 2440
Telephone: (02) 6567 7663
Cottages & Cabins

Corra Lynn Cottage
31 Creek St
Hat Head NSW 2440
Telephone: (02) 6653 1411
Rating: **

Caravan Parks
Hat Head Tourist Park
P.O. Box 78 Reserve Rd
Hat Head NSW 2440
Telephone: (02) 6565 7501
Rating: ***

Restaurants
Hat Head Bowling & Recreation Club
Straight St
Hat Head NSW 2440
Telephone: (02) 6565 7507

Article originally from: Sydney Morning Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au

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