Diamond Head is the mid north coast’s dreamy antidote to Sydneysiders’ midweek blues.

If beachside lagoon bathing, a decked-out camping ground and instant access to an epic beach run sounds like your idea of a party, then a weekend escape to Diamond Head is liable to be right up your alley.

This paradisiacal retreat is located within the Crowdy Head National Park, a 350km march up the Pacific Highway from the state capital.

There’s a couple of glorious bushwalking tracks that depart right from the campground, and you’re staying literally on the doorstep of some of the best beach fishing grounds in the state.

STUFF TO DO

4WDING: Point your fourby left out of the camping ground and you’re straight on to a first rate beach run that’ll take you all the way north to Camden Head.

The beach is usually hard packed and great to drive on, and littered with quality gutters to fish.

FISHING: The beach fishing around here is at its best in autumn, with whiting, dart, bream and flathead caught from the shallow beach gutters in big numbers.

Some serious jewfish have been caught from this stretch of sand over the years, but you’ll need to put in the time with big fresh baits in the deeper gutters.

BUSHWALKS: The Diamond Head Loop is a 4.3km track that starts and finishes at the Diamond Head campground. It follows the coastline, taking in a couple of lookouts on the way. Expect to knock it over in an hour and a half to two hours.

IMPORTANT INFO

LOCATION: 350km north of Sydney, access is via the Pacific Highway.

CAMPING: The Diamond Head campground is equipped with toilets, showers, picnic tables, barbeques and a parking lot. Camping fees are $24 per night for two people, and an additional $12 per night per head.

FUEL is available in Laurieton and Taree.

MORE INFO is available at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au