Permits & safety information
Make sure you have the appropriate permits and follow these guides in order to have a safe and fun holiday in the Macleay Valley.
4WD beach permits
Beach permits for financial year (1 July-30 June) are available for a fee and cover the Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Nambucca Shires.
Where to purchase & regulations
NSW National Parks pass
Park entry fees for motor vehicles apply at 45 of NSW’s more than 870 national parks and reserves. Find out which parks have fees, how your contribution helps, and how you can save money with annual passes, discounts or concessions.
Bushwalking safety
If you’re going bushwalking or backpack camping in NSW national parks—be prepared and stay safe.
- Plan your walk
- Research your walk and make sure everyone is comfortable with the planned route.
- Go at the pace of the slowest person and don’t overestimate your abilities.
- Walk in groups of 3 or more people. In an emergency one of you might need to wait with the injured person while the other gets help.
- Check the difficulty. Some walks need rock scrambling and abseiling skills. If you’re not sure of the difficulty, contact the local NPWS park office.
- Check weather forecasts and park alerts and be aware that weather conditions can change rapidly.
- Download the NSW National Parks app and Emergency+ app for location and emergency services information.
Camping in National Parks
To keep visitors safe ALL camping in NSW national parks now requires a booking. For day visitors, please avoid busy parks between 11am and 2pm during the school holidays to avoid congestion. Check park alerts and visit COVID-19 updates for more information before visiting any park.
Find places to stay and make your booking here
Boating & fishing safety in the Macleay Valley
By law, you are required to wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest while rock fishing in some areas of NSW, and it is recommended that you wear a buoyancy vest for lake, river and sea fishing. Please see the Water Safety NSW website for more details.
Please download this RMS boating safety checklist before heading out on the water.
Please check and follow the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW safety tips when fishing in the Macleay Valley Coast.
Bushfire Safety
If you’re travelling during the bush fire season, you could be affected by a fire. Bush and grass fires often cross roads and highways. Smoke can reduce visibility and roads may also be closed without warning.
Please check the NSW Rural Fire Service website for all information regarding this.