Discover Kempsey

Nestled on the banks of the Macleay River, Kempsey is the major service town of the Macleay Valley Coast. Kempsey is a blend of old-world charm and a thriving regional river town, and famous as the birthplace of country music legend Slim Dusty and Akubra Hats, Australia’s iconic hat brand.

Wander along the banks of the mighty Macleay River which runs through the heart of the townships, or dine at one of the many quality local restaurants or cafés. Spend an afternoon seeking out your favourite vintage treasure in one of the antique and old wares stores. Make sure not to miss West Kempsey with independent retail outlets including clothing boutiques, homewares as well as many tasty cafés and eateries.

Discover our native plants in the Wigay Aboriginal Cultural Park. The natural parkland setting provides the backdrop to experience local Aboriginal culture and learn about traditional foods. You can take an interactive guided tour to learn all about the trees, shrubs and plants the Aboriginal People used for food and medicine.