South West Rocks, the jewel of the Mid-North Coast in New South Wales, Australia, should not be missed. Situated midway between Sydney and Brisbane SWR is a great stop-over for anyone enjoying a campervan or motorhome hire on the east coast of Australia.
South West Rocks (known locally as SWR or simply 'the Rocks') is a quaint seaside village in a spectacular coastal setting fronting several beaches and alongside the estuary of the Macleay River. Water based activities are the major attraction for tourists and locals alike. Swimming, surfing, fishing, snorkelling & scuba diving are the pursuits of active adventure seekers.
The South West Rocks CBD (casual beach district) leads onto the safe swimming and surfing beach of Horse Shoe Bay. The village has several cafes, restaurants and take away bars to cater to all culinary needs.
To the south is Front Beach, a beautiful arc of sand and surf reaching to the end of Trial Bay. Overlooking the bay, on some of the most spectacular coastal real estate anywhere in the world, are the pink granite walls of the historic Trial Bay Gaol. Completed around 1890 and now a museum the Gaol is an essential place to visit.
To the north of the village is the secluded Back Beach and the mouth of the Macleay River. The Macleay River is the local doorway to the ocean and the amazing fishing and scuba diving the area has to offer. The ocean surrounding the region is the overlap boundary zone where tropical fish species from the north and colder water species from the south meet. The diversity of fish life in the area is unmatched long the east coast of Australia.
Several charter operators cater for the keen fisherman and offer day trips for those wishing to go to sea but there is also great land-based fishing from the river banks, beaches and coastal rock platforms. For those not wishing or not able to catch their own fish there is a commercial fish co-op offering the fresh daily catch of the local fishing fleet. The local oysters are a treat not to be missed.
To the south of Trial Bay is the Smokey Cape range of hills featuring pink granite coastal cliffs and several small secluded bays. At the end of the range Smokey Cape Lighthouse overlooks Smokey Beach and, just offshore, Fish Rock. Fish Rock is an internationally famous scuba dive site featuring one of the worlds best ocean cave dives and schools of Grey Nurse sharks. Two dive charter operators take dive groups to Fish Rock daily; weather permitting.
The Smokey Cape Lighthouse, accessible by sealed road, offers spectacular ocean and beach views and is a great land based site for whale watching during the winter months. Humpback whales making their annual migration to the warmer waters of Queensland pass very close to Smokey Cape which protrudes into the ocean at this point of the coastline.
The South West Rocks Country Club features an excellent 18 hole golf course, bowling greens, tennis courts, swimming pool, restaurants and bars. There is a hotel/motel in the village centre, a tavern alongside the Macleay River and two other motel complexes with restaurants attached.
Most importantly for the campervan or motorhome hirer is campground and caravan or holiday park facilities. There are four parks in the area, one at Horseshoe Bay, one at Trial Bay alongside the Gaol; both with absolute beach frontages and spectacular views. There is also one at Arakoon; a short walk to the beach of Trial Bay and another just out of town toward the river. These parks offer all the facilities required by the campervan traveller such as powered sites, shower, toilet, laundry, kitchen and BBQ areas.
Anyone hiring a campervan and travelling the east coast of Australia should not bypass South West Rocks; they will not be disappointed by taking the time to visit. South West Rocks is only about 10 minutes drive off the main Pacific Highway by the shorte
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