'I've found a summer holiday spot that's as pretty as Byron, without the cost and crowds.'

The more children you have, the lower the bar is set for holidays. 

It's yes to core family memories in scenic places, no to full itineraries, long commutes and hours inhaling spicy books. 

With three kids under seven, in my messiest season of parenting, I've hit pause on European adventures and relaxed restaurant hopping.

I've simplified escapes for now, with two non-negotiables. 

Watch: Modern Etiquette — Do middle seats on a plane get both armrests? Post continues below.

The first is convenience. It needs to be somewhere easy to get to with space for kids to go wild, and essentials within walking distance. 

The second is tranquillity. Every parent knows that a holiday with kids is parenting with a different backdrop. I need calm surroundings to offset my not-so calm kids. The sound of waves; striking sunsets; ocean air on my face. 

I'm no doubt late to the party, and locals will hate me for saying this, but I've found a stunning hidden gem on NSW's mid-north coast that fits my modest wish list…

Crescent Head on the Macleay Valley Coast.

Five hours north of Sydney and 20 minutes from Kempsey is the quintessential Aussie surf town, Crescent Head.

It's a haven for families craving a beach escape, without the price tag and crowds of nearby Byron Bay and Yamba. 

The coastal town's appeal is its location. Hugged by the Goolawah National Park, the village sits at the edge of a 14km white sandy beach with an iconic surf break that's known by board riders around the world. 

Image: Supplied.

At the end of the long breaking waves is Killick Creek — the star attraction for families. 

The water from surrounding bushland and hills flow under a footbridge into the ocean, creating a sheltered (patrolled!) playground for kids. 

As a Sydneysider who battles traffic, parking spaces, and sunbathers to find a square-metre of sand at Bondi in the summer — it was a joy like no other walking onto this slice of heaven with barely a body or CoolCabana in sight.

What can you do in Crescent Head?

With five kids in our group, we spent most of our time at the central Killick Beach. 

The children could not be dragged away from the river mouth, where they launched off sand dunes and paddled in the inlet and perfect rolling surf. 

Images: Supplied.

Beside the waterway is a playground with picnic facilities, but the biggest hit for me was Point Break Café at the base of the surf club. There, I sat without interruption, enjoying coffee and a gourmet breaky roll on the beachfront, kids still in eyesight. 

There are two lookouts in Crescent Head where you can take in the landscape: Big Nobby, at the top of the golf course, and the smaller, aptly named, Little Nobby.

When I walked to the latter's cliff edge, a pod of dolphins greeted me. I followed them around the headland, where they met surfers on a morning paddle. 

Sitting on the town's landmark with a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean and green hills, dolphins only 100m away, I couldn't believe I was alone. No snaking traffic lines, no bustling walking tracks. Nature at its best, and unimaginably quiet. (Disclaimer: I did visit in October — not during a peak period — but that's another tip; take the kids out of school).

I realised this was all busy families needed to invite barefoot play, deep breathing and cherished memories.

If walking and playing in one spot isn't for you, there's also plenty outside the township. We took our 4WD off-road up Killick Beach towards Hat Head in the north, stopping at secluded stretches of sand where nobody played except whales.

Image: Supplied.

South of Crescent Head is a stunning break at Racecourse Beach, and Delicate Nobby is a must-see for snorkelling and camping.

The kids' highlight was driving 30 minutes to Stoney Aqua Park at Telegraph Point, where they played on inflatable slides, trampolines and walkways that are set up all year 'round on a lake.

Back in town, away from the water, our kids rode at the skatepark and played mini golf at the Crescent Head Golf Club. 

Where to stay?

We stayed at a five-bedroom, three-bathroom Airbnb a stone's throw from the beach, and half the price of stays on NSW's South Coast and further north.  

It was a few minutes' walk to the FoodWorks, pub and chemist, and a hop-skip to Crescent Head Caravan Park, which is one of the best in the country.

And that's not hyperbole. The park just took out the People's Choice Award in Jayco's Greatest Escapes 2024 Competition, which celebrates Australia's best caravan parks.

The park's waterfront location is a paradise, and the site's new safari tents overlooking Killick River is my next holiday booking. 

Demi Whittingham and Paul Kennedy started managing the park in April, after falling in love with the location on a day trip from nearby South West Rocks. 

"People feel as though our park is a place of rest and retreat," Ms Whittingham told Mamamia. "It's a place to be barefoot and bask in the sun. The park is their haven. 

"We are blessed to wake up here every day… During whale season, we have been blessed to sight whales from our reception, which is where I spend most of my time."

The park has 223 sites, including 35 cabins, and its location overlooking the river and surf break entices the same families back more than once a year.

"I call it a natural lazy river — like the ones people pay for at Wet n Wild. And on most days people will see dolphins or whales," she said.

The park hosts face painting and live music in school holidays, which is Whittingham's favourite time of year, because "there is such a buzz; the park is full of laughs and good times". 

Where to eat?

Crescent Head has causal and fancy bites. We loved the Nasi Goreng and vegan treats at The Green Room Café and the coffee and burgers at Blackfish Coffee. 

For a classic meat pie or salad sambo, stop at the award-winning Barnetts Bakery. In the holidays there will be a line out the door of visitors getting a post-swim vanilla slice or finger bun fix. 

With messy kids, we stuck to pub grub at the Crescent Head Tavern, and Chinese cuisine at the Country Club. But for the better table-mannered, try La Costa Cantina in The MED boutique motel, for Mexican vibes, or the exceptional seasonal farm produce at Lumah Restaurant. 

How to get there?

Crescent Head is a five-hour drive from Sydney. You can also catch a train from Sydney to Kempsey, 20 minutes away. Visitors can fly into Port Macquarie Airport and hire a car for the 45-minute drive. 

Stop in, your low expectations will be blown away.