| South West Rocks, the jewel of the Mid-North | | | | To the south of Trial Bay is the Smokey Cape |
| Coast in New South Wales, Australia, should not | | | | range of hills featuring pink granite coastal cliffs |
| be missed. Situated midway between Sydney and | | | | and several small secluded bays. At the end of |
| Brisbane SWR is a great stop-over for anyone | | | | the range Smokey Cape Lighthouse overlooks |
| enjoying a campervan or motorhome hire on the | | | | Smokey Beach and, just offshore, Fish Rock. Fish |
| east coast of Australia. | | | | Rock is an internationally famous scuba dive site |
| South West Rocks (known locally as SWR or | | | | featuring one of the worlds best ocean cave |
| simply 'the Rocks') is a quaint seaside village in a | | | | dives and schools of Grey Nurse sharks. Two |
| spectacular coastal setting fronting several | | | | dive charter operators take dive groups to Fish |
| beaches and alongside the estuary of the Macleay | | | | Rock daily; weather permitting. |
| River. Water based activities are the major | | | | The Smokey Cape Lighthouse, accessible by |
| attraction for tourists and locals alike. Swimming, | | | | sealed road, offers spectacular ocean and beach |
| surfing, fishing, snorkelling & scuba diving are | | | | views and is a great land based site for whale |
| the pursuits of active adventure seekers. | | | | watching during the winter months. Humpback |
| The South West Rocks CBD (casual beach | | | | whales making their annual migration to the |
| district) leads onto the safe swimming and surfing | | | | warmer waters of Queensland pass very close to |
| beach of Horse Shoe Bay. The village has several | | | | Smokey Cape which protrudes into the ocean at |
| cafes, restaurants and take away bars to cater | | | | this point of the coastline. |
| to all culinary needs. | | | | The South West Rocks Country Club features an |
| To the south is Front Beach, a beautiful arc of | | | | excellent 18 hole golf course, bowling greens, |
| sand and surf reaching to the end of Trial Bay. | | | | tennis courts, swimming pool, restaurants and |
| Overlooking the bay, on some of the most | | | | bars. There is a hotel/motel in the village centre, a |
| spectacular coastal real estate anywhere in the | | | | tavern alongside the Macleay River and two other |
| world, are the pink granite walls of the historic | | | | motel complexes with restaurants attached. |
| Trial Bay Gaol. Completed around 1890 and now a | | | | Most importantly for the campervan or |
| museum the Gaol is an essential place to visit. | | | | motorhome hirer is campground and caravan or |
| To the north of the village is the secluded Back | | | | holiday park facilities. There are four parks in the |
| Beach and the mouth of the Macleay River. The | | | | area, one at Horseshoe Bay, one at Trial Bay |
| Macleay River is the local doorway to the ocean | | | | alongside the Gaol; both with absolute beach |
| and the amazing fishing and scuba diving the area | | | | frontages and spectacular views. There is also |
| has to offer. The ocean surrounding the region is | | | | one at Arakoon; a short walk to the beach of |
| the overlap boundary zone where tropical fish | | | | Trial Bay and another just out of town toward |
| species from the north and colder water species | | | | the river. These parks offer all the facilities |
| from the south meet. The diversity of fish life in | | | | required by the campervan traveller such as |
| the area is unmatched long the east coast of | | | | powered sites, shower, toilet, laundry, kitchen and |
| Australia. | | | | BBQ areas. |
| Several charter operators cater for the keen | | | | Anyone hiring a campervan and travelling the east |
| fisherman and offer day trips for those wishing to | | | | coast of Australia should not bypass South West |
| go to sea but there is also great land-based | | | | Rocks; they will not be disappointed by taking the |
| fishing from the river banks, beaches and coastal | | | | time to visit. South West Rocks is only about 10 |
| rock platforms. For those not wishing or not able | | | | minutes drive off the main Pacific Highway by the |
| to catch their own fish there is a commercial fish | | | | shortest route. It is situated 40 kilometres from |
| co-op offering the fresh daily catch of the local | | | | the nearest major town of Kempsey and is |
| fishing fleet. The local oysters are a treat not to | | | | midway between the beautiful coastal cities of |
| be missed. | | | | Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. |