Distance: 6 kilometres
Difficulty: Easy
The highlight of this walk is a visit to the 2.75-hectare Wigay Aboriginal Cultural Park. There are also numerous food trees, some of them labelled and picnic tables inviting rests along the way.
Starting at the car park on Sydney Street in West Kempsey, go to Belgrave Street. Cross Belgrave Street at the traffic lights and turn left. After about 500 metres cross the railway line, turn right at the roundabout and right again into Kemp Street. The Anglican and Catholic churches are on the left, and Kempsey Railway Station is on the right.
Walk on the footpath on the left side past St Joseph’s Primary School. After about one kilometre turn left into Cochrane Street, then take the third on the left. This is Broughton Street, a wide avenue with trees in the centre. Cross Sea Street, walk past Kempsey High School to the corner of Tozer Street. Turn left and walk about 300 metres downhill where you find Wigay Park on your left.
Walkthrough the park, but take your time exploring it, and leave at Sea Street. Turn right. As you walk along Sea Street, you will see the iconic Kempsey Showground buildings on your left. At the roundabout where Sea Street joins Kemp Street, the West Kempsey Shops and cafes are on the right.
To return to the starting point, keep going in a southerly direction. After 300 metres turn left into Eden Street, go under the railway and walk across the playing fields back to Sydney Street car park.
Credit: Macleay Walking Trails by Christa Schwoebel and John Cruickshanks