Thumbs up to camping at Crowdy Bay

The Newman family is from Bonny Hills and have been coming to the Diamond Head campground for the last five years. 

“It’s close enough to home but it feels like you’re miles away,” Troy Newman said. 

The family has been making the most of the surf and sunshine, despite red weed washing up at the Diamond Head Beach due to north-easterly winds. 

“You just deal with it,” Troy said. 

Despite the busy nature of the campground, Troy said they have never had any issues with any other visitors. 

“That is the beauty of this spot,” he said. 

While some people have raised the issue of potentially sealing the road to the park, Troy said he doesn’t want the road to be tarred. 

“It’s part of the experience of travelling to a destination such as this one,” he said. 

Troy has been enjoying relaxing, amid some friendly banter with the family over a game of monopoly. 

Bill and Lyn Simpson from Old Bar are retirees who visit the Diamond Head campground at least six times a year. 

It’s the second time they have spent the Christmas break at the location and said they are enjoying it. 

“It’s a nice bunch of people here,” Bill said. 

Bill and Lyn said swimming with red weed is part and parcel of summer and the north-easterly winds. 

The couple prefer living outdoors, rather than inside a house. 

An Office of Environment and Heritage spokesperson credited people as behaving in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner.

“Campers at Crowdy Bay National Park have enjoyed a great holiday season with no rowdy behavior, fireworks, fires or camping outside designated areas,” he said. 

The spokesperson said National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers have reported one of the most pleasant camping seasons in several years. 

“This is largely due to new procedures for booking campsites helping campers get the best out of the popular site,” he said. 

“Rangers also are at the campground throughout the holidays, working closely with campground contractors to provide one of the best camping experiences on the NSW Mid-North Coast.”

For more information about the parks visit the Crowdy Bay National Parks Facebook page