Crescent Head is a small coastal town situated on a headland at the southern end of Hat Head National Park, 19km southeast of Kempsey. The headland separates the vast stretch of Killick Beach from the smaller Goolawah Beach. Goolawah Beach backs on to a council reserve, and is well away from houses and development. It runs to Racecourse Head in the south.

Goolawah Reserve and Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve edge the town to the north and the south.

The headland features one of the east coast's most spectacular cliffs, the town itself tucked away behind it. The majority of houses are built from 1950s-style fibro construction. The surf is renowned as amongst the best the country.

To reach the headland, turn at Baranghi St beside the Shell Service Station, turn into Korogora St and then into Skyline Cres.