Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Camden Haven, Australia

The final stretch of the Camden Haven River is dominated by a solitary mountain enveloped in rainforest.

This mountain is North Brother Mountain, the northernmost of the Three Brothers, aligned parallel to the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.

Interestingly, the Aboriginal name for these mountains, referring to three brothers who were slain by a witch, coincides with Captain James Cook’s designation, as he referenced them as “Three Brothers” due to their similar appearances.

At the base of North Brother lies the parish of Camden Haven, consisting of a collection of quaint towns and suburbs, featuring lush rainforest, pristine beaches, and charming lakes nearby.

In Camden Haven, one can enjoy delightful beach days alongside hiking excursions to breathtaking lookouts, exhilarating paragliding experiences, leisurely boat trips, evenings at a nostalgic cinema, and tours of premier oyster leases within the estuary.

1. Dooragan National Park

The northernmost of the Three Brothers presents a commanding backdrop to Camden Haven, rising sharply from the coastal plain to a height of 476 meters.

North Brother Mountain is part of Dooragan National Park, where its summit is regarded as one of the prime destinations for paragliding and hang-gliding in Australia.

For those less inclined towards adventure, tranquil hiking trails wind through eucalyptus forests that host enormous blackbutt trees.

To reach the summit, follow the Laurieton Track, which guides you from the town into a vibrant rainforest filled with flora and traces of the region’s logging history.

Your effort culminates at the peak, offering an almost indescribable panorama over Laurieton, the river estuary, and the coastline.

From the summit picnic area, one can also take the more leisurely Rainforest Loop, which leads past bird’s nest ferns and epiphyte orchids to a lookout positioned south towards Diamond Head.

2. North Haven Beach

Also known as Grant’s Beach, this stunning stretch of fine sand extends northeast from the Camden Haven River’s mouth for over three kilometers.

The southern end, facing the suburb of North Haven, provides more amenities, featuring a café, holiday parks, picnic tables, showers, and lifeguard patrol during school vacations.

This section is also influenced by the river’s breakwall, making it appealing for surfers who seek exceptional right-hand breaks on southerly swells.

The beach is complemented by a walking trail that traverses heathland and coastal forest, and as one walks further north, the beach offers a more secluded ambiance, allowing pets in non-patrolled areas.

3. Kattang Nature Reserve

On the north side of the Camden Haven River’s mouth lies 70 hectares of preserved coastal habitat, culminating in the distinctive formation of Perpendicular Point.

This relatively small area of Kattang Nature Reserve encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, including beaches, cliffs shaped by surf, and a variety of flora such as littoral rainforest, dry heathland, and eucalyptus woodland.

Meandering trails lead through the reserve, offering visitors a striking lookout atop Perpendicular Point, ideal for spotting humpback whales from May to November.

There is an additional elevated viewpoint at Charles Hamey Lookout, which allows sweeping views along Dunbogan Beach and inland towards Gogley’s Lagoon, set against the backdrop of North Brother Mountain.

4. Camden Haven Historical Museum

For a deeper understanding of Camden Haven’s history, visitors can explore the local history museum located in Laurieton.

This museum is beautifully situated within the heritage-listed Laurieton School of Arts, designed in the Federation style and established in 1912. The museum operates in the mornings from Tuesday to Saturday, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Exhibits cover various trades prevalent in the Camden Haven Valley, including wood harvesting, agriculture, fishing, and other water-related industries.

Visitors will find a variety of tools and implements, ranging from saws to scales, oil lamps, and fishing equipment.

Additionally, intriguing accounts from Camden Haven’s past, such as the unexpected incident in August 1944 where comedian Bob Hope crash-landed on a sandbar in the Camden Haven River, are also presented.

5. Dunbogan Boatshed

This location on the Camden Haven River, featuring breathtaking views across the water to North Brother Mountain, serves as a hub for all boating necessities.

The Dunbogan Boatshed, constructed in the 1940s, retains its vintage allure.

It is an ideal place to acquire bait, tackle, and other fishing gear, as well as to rent a barbecue boat, tinnie (aluminum-hulled motorboat), or kayak.

The Boatshed itself is a draw for visitors, enabling them to feed fish directly from the deck, enjoy coffee and snacks, and potentially spot dolphins in the estuary.

6. Rockin’ Oysters

Situated adjacent to the Camden Haven River estuary, Gogleys Lagoon is the perfect location for an oyster farm.

Rockin’ Oysters employs innovative farming techniques to cultivate robust and flavorful oysters highly sought after by many of Australia’s acclaimed chefs and restaurants.

These oysters present a complex flavor profile that transitions from salty and tangy to a creamy middle, culminating in a lingering umami finish.

If enjoying world-class oysters fresh from the water interests you, the farm offers tours.

These can be conducted on land or by boat, exploring the leases while learning about oyster farming, followed by a delightful seafood luncheon ashore.

7. Pilot Beach Reserve

Nestled between the two breakwalls located at the mouth of the Camden Haven River is a charming, unpatrolled beach characterized by its tranquil waters.

As anticipated, these breakwalls shield the beach from ocean surf most of the time, particularly during southerly breezes, establishing a safe environment for children to wade while parents unwind.

The shoreline features a welcoming crescent of white sand, bordered by dense bushland that extends to Gogley’s Lagoon.

A picnic area is available along the foreshore, and by observing the estuary closely, one might catch sight of playful dolphins.

8. Rainbow Beach Reserve

This exquisite beach lies approximately 10 minutes north of Laurieton, gently curving for 2.5 kilometers between Bonny Hills and Middle Rock Point.

With low vegetated dunes as a backdrop, Rainbow Beach features a gentle slope and a vast expanse of sand during low tide.

At the southern end, Little Vinegar Creek meanders across the sand towards the ocean, presenting essential amenities such as a surf club, picnic area, and park facilities.

Enthusiast geologists may find interest in the small outcrops along the beach, which are sedimentary at Bonny Hills but consist of igneous dolerite at Middle Rock Point.

9. Queens Lake Walking Track

This picturesque body of water is situated on the northern flank of Dooragan National Park, bordered by nature reserves, picnic sites, and small communities such as West Haven and Lakewood along its southern shore.

A 4.4-kilometer walking trail allows navigation along the southern shoreline, providing continuous views of the lake and its wooded peripheries.

The Queens Lake Walk is a point-to-point trail that guides visitors through paperbark forests, tidal mangrove flats, and eucalyptus woodlands.

The route is consistently shaded and abundant in wildlife, featuring various bird species, lizards, and, occasionally, koalas.

10. Plaza Theatre

Across from the School of Arts building in Laurieton stands a Modernist cinema established in 1959, possessing a notable place in film history.

In the early 1970s, the father of future Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann worked as the projectionist at the Plaza Theatre, which was when Baz developed his passion for film.

The cinema boasts superior picture and sound quality on New South Wales’s Mid North Coast, making it an excellent option for a rainy day or during excessive heat.

This establishment is also unique in being the only cinema on the coast powered entirely by solar energy; for additional comfort, a Deluxe Cine Lounge is available for screenings.

11. Middle Brother National Park

The next in the series of the Three Brothers is located a few kilometers southwest of Laurieton.

Middle Brother stands as the tallest of the range, reaching 554 meters, and offers a brief journey to the national park that encompasses the territory to the southeast.

This area features rich volcanic soil that sustains lush rainforest and eucalyptus forests, with the national park established to safeguard two of New South Wales’ largest blackbutt trees.

These remarkable giants, named Bird Tree and Benaroon, have withstood the rigorous logging practices in Camden Haven and can be appreciated at the Bird Tree Picnic Area.

The forest teems with wildlife, including koalas resting in eucalyptus trees, ring-tailed possums, owls, wedge-tailed eagles, king parrots, and glossy black cockatoos.

12. High Adventure Paragliding

North Brother and Middle Brother, characterized by their exposed peaks, coastal convection currents, and proximity to beaches, constitute one of Australia’s premier locations for paragliding instruction.

High Adventure Paragliding school in Laurieton provides access to 15 distinct flying sites located within close proximity.

For novices wishing to attain a satisfactory level of proficiency, an eight-day Learn to Paraglide Course is available.

This course effectively utilizes the various flying sites, in addition to the center’s private training hill, to help participants evolve into confident and skilled pilots.

13. Kendall Craft Co-operative

For those seeking a souvenir or gift from Camden Haven, a visit to the historic railway station in Kendall, which has been operational for over a century, is recommended.

The interior serves as a venue for a local craft co-operative.

Here, visitors can explore a diverse selection of handcrafted items, including knick-knacks, children’s toys, jewelry, cards, decorations, bookmarks, and fridge magnets.

Homemade delights such as sweets, pickles, and conserves are also available for purchase.

14. The Big Axe

“Big Things” have emerged across Australia since the 1960s.

These attractions are often quirky, portraying local pride.

In New South Wales, examples include a Big Ant, a Big Apple, a Big Kookaburra, a Big Spider, and even Big Ugg Boots, among others.

In Kew, situated across the Camden Haven River from Kendall, one can find the Big Axe, which symbolizes the logging industry—a significant employer on the Mid North Coast.

This monument, established in 1979, underwent restoration in 2002 due to ant damage.

The Big Axe is conveniently located just off Nancy Bird Walton Drive, near the iKew Visitor Information Centre, which features a playground for children at the rear.

15. Slice of Haven

The lush riverside area in Laurieton serves as the venue for a one-day culinary celebration, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

Slicethe Haven occurs on a Sunday in late May, featuring numerous producers from across the Mid North Coast and its hinterlands.

This event offers a delightful opportunity to indulge in the finest regional delicacies, including beer, wine, and coffee.

Each year, the event showcases demonstrations by renowned chefs, cooking workshops, dance performances, live music, and engaging street entertainers.

In addition, the festival offers various rides and games for children, making it a family-friendly occasion.