About a 20 minute drive from Kew (halfway between Taree and Kempsey) is Swans Crossing.

Popular with locals and visitors alike, this camping and picnic area in Kerewong State Forest is set on former farmland.

The Swan family ran a dairy and beef property on the site for many years, including clearing the forest and establishing grasses for the stock. This continued until 1964 when the area became State forest and was regenerated as native forest including hardwood plantation areas.

Longworths Tramway Heritage Walk is located a short drive away, with other walking tracks leading off from the site including Cascade Walking Track. Caravans and camper vans are welcome at Swans Crossing.

The children’s playground at Swans Crossing is designed to keep your kids happy exploring the natural environment. With natural timber features, ropes and a mini replica steam train, it will occupy their imaginations whilst keeping them busy in the outdoors.

Commencing at Swans Crossing campground near the Upsalls Creek crossing, this 650m one-way (or 1.3km return) track takes visitors along the creek edge on a gentle, easy grade walk.

Suitable for small children, this walk takes visitors through beautiful native forest and is shaded until emerging onto large, wide rocks on the creek, perfect for basking in the warmth of the sun (water level dependent).

Step into the shade of Kerewong State Forest on The Gorge Walk, a 1.2km one-way or 2.4 km return trail.

Starting near the swimming hole at Swans Crossing campground, this walking track heads in a west to north westerly direction along Upsalls Creek and up onto the ridge via a 55m elevation from start to finish. A peaceful walk, The Gorge track weaves through native forest and past quiet waterholes, with some steps and steep drop-off sections adding a challenge along the way. It’s the perfect way to slow down and soak up a wild little pocket of the Mid North Coast.

Pack plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes and leave only footprints.

This walk is not recommended for small children; an alternative option is the Cascade Walk.

The historic Longworths Tramway Heritage Walk is only a short distance from Swans Crossing in Kerewong State Forest, in adjacent North Branch State Forest. Longworths Tramway Heritage Walk follows a former timber haulage tramline. It is an easy, one way 2.1km walk.