Written by Roxanne Andrews.
An Aussie East Coast surf trip isn’t complete without a visit to Crescent Head. This tiny hamlet sits between Sydney and the Goldy (approx. a 4.5-hour drive from each) and 20 minutes off the Pacific Highway to the beach. Crescent easily lures crew in (and has done for eons) with its laid-back charm and the many waves in and around the vicinity.
Longboarders are overtly familiar with its famed right-hand point break – a long reeling wave that performs best in east, northeast, or southeast swell. Offshore winds are obviously welcomed too. The same goes for surfers on any craft really, you can score an epic ride when there’s a bit of size/walling rights on your standard shortboard, a fun fish, or even a foil if that’s your thing. Memo: Crescent is nothing if not user-friendly.
Other breaks nearby include the aptly named Racecourse – it’s tucked into the southern end of Goolawah Beach and much punchier than Crescent Head with its mix of rippable rights and select hollow lefts – the latter if you’re lucky. Racecourse is notably consistent in the aforementioned winter swells and there’s a sublime camping site here (bonus points for being a dog-friendly park) around this neck of the woods.
The dreamy Point Plummer (yep, more long runners if the banks are good and the tide is right) is always worth checking if you’re in the area too. It’s another 20 minutes or, so along a partly unsealed road that runs south of Crescent.
Although, Creso (as it is known in the local dialect) is a year-round surfing destination, I reckon winter is the preferred season to stop in, for several reasons, first, the south swells usually kick from May to August, and second, the crowds are usually pretty thinned, particularly mid-week.
Not a camper? No worries, because the recently opened Sea Sea Hotel – the work of George Gorrow (former Tsubi designer/owner, Creative Director at Insight and surf industry stalwart) and his lovely artist wife Cisco have nailed the brief when it comes to stylish accommodation that compliments its surroundings. The artwork on display here is lively and edgy and inspires conversation such as my muttering “I like seeing Ozzie’s punk stuff alongside fine art photography, do you?” kinda deal.
This 70s-inspired boutique property (there are only 24 covetable rooms) ebbs and flows with a surf club come boho cool kids hang that is surprisingly invitingly (I admittedly had fears of Sydney/Byron posers infiltrating an otherwise nonchalant Creso scene but quickly found a warm environment with open doors to all ilk. And after some casual questioning (whilst perched at the bar in the open plan courtyard looking over the main drag), several locals revealed that they loved a. the Sea Sea’s atmosphere and b. having a new place to eat/drink. I for one, wholeheartedly agree. Other key points to note include its excellent kitchen (Sea Sea is not fucking around when it comes to delicious, contemporary and/or classic tastes) and its neat range of hire boards and e-bikes to get you up and riding asap. To do: keep an ear out for upcoming music gigs throughout the year.
Did I tell you that Crescent Head is a National Surfing Reserve? I should have opened with that fact. Essentially, being a surfing reserve means it’s part of a program geared to protect the environment, culture, and economy of surfing areas. It also means (sans any legal definition) that you should always be an upstanding guest in this sweet little town and never act like a pest, in or out of the water. Don’t litter, don’t drop in, don’t hit on your mates’ ex…you know the drill.
Oh, and one more, really important thing. The bakery at Crescent is terrific. It’s called Barnetts and it’s been here forever. The pies are epic! Do you want to read a review of the best surf town bakeries, too? If so, message the editor now and I’ll start my research asap. Bye.
