Beaches, Swimming & Surfing
Harrington Beach
Harrington Beach consists of 5.6 km of pristine white sand. An unpatrolled beach, it stretches all the way from Harrington to picturesque Crowdy Head and offers ideal conditions for a range of recreational activities, including surfing, bodyboarding and fishing.
Harrington Beach can be easily reached by walking to the end of the iconic Harrington Breakwall. Alternatively, the beach can be accessed via several walking tracks through the National Park. Crowdy Head Road provides access to a number of car parks where you can park and begin your walk.
4WD vehicle access to Harrington Beach is available north of the (Discovery Parks) Harrington Beach Caravan & Holiday Park. A permit is required and is available from Harrington Bait and Tackle on Beach Street.
Crowdy Head
A short 10-minute drive from Harrington is the historic village of Crowdy Head. A quaint fishing village with a rich maritime history, it is home to the historic Crowdy Head Lighthouse, which dates back to 1878 and still operates today.
Crowdy Head has both a north and a south beach.
The northern beach (Crowdy Bay Beach) is family-friendly with amenities, BBQ facilities, picnic areas and a café. During the summer months, it is patrolled by members of the local Surf Life Saving Club. It is popular with surfers, swimmers, fishers, joggers and walkers.
South Beach (Harrington Beach) is a favourite with surfers chasing the "big" waves. A glorious stretch of golden sand, it is also perfect for running, walking and fishing. The beach is not patrolled, and at times its rips and strong surf make it unsuitable for swimming.
Both beaches offer 4WD access but remember to pick up a permit before you start making tracks.
Surfing
Whether you're learning to surf or looking for a more-challenging break, Crowdy Head has something to offer. The northern beach is ideal for beginners, with the headland providing protection from strong winds and a gently-sloping sandy bottom creating smaller, more manageable waves. Beginners and children are best to surf when lifeguards are on patrol during the summer months.
For more experienced surfers, the south beach offers larger waves. East and south-easterly swells create numerous breaks, with waves averaging around 1.6 metres.
Dog Friendly
Both Harrington Beach and Crowdy Bay Beach are dog-friendly. Dogs must be kept under control within 50 metres of either side of the patrolled areas. Outside these areas, dogs are permitted off leash to run and play on the sand and in the surf.
Harrington Lagoon
Harrington Lagoon is a popular swimming spot during summer. Although it is unpatrolled, its calm, shallow waters and lack of waves make it a safe place for families and children. With BBQ facilities, picnic tables and toilets, it is ideal for family outings.
Harrington Lagoon is located beside the Breakwall, in front of the Marine Rescue building.
Manning River
The Manning River is another popular destination for water-based activities.
Some popular locations along the river include John Oxley Park, Club Harrington on Beach Street, and the Riverwalk between Club Harrington and Pretoria Parade. The area around the river mouth is an important nesting ground for migratory shorebirds and is popular with birdwatchers.
As the river is unpatrolled, swimmers and paddlers should exercise caution at all times.
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