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Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car offers in Kempsey and around Australia. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Honestly, you'll want a car here, as Kempsey is the perfect base for hitting the awesome beaches and country drives of the Macleay Valley.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Car Hire Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
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| Kempsey Town |
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| Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ) |
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| Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) |
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| Local Car Dealerships |
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Rental Companies in Kempsey
- Budget (through local dealer partner)
- Hertz (limited presence via local agent)
- Macleay Valley Rent-A-Car (local operator)
- Kempsey Car Rentals (independent)
Transport to Kempsey Without Initial Car Rental
- NSW TrainLink trains stop at Kempsey Station (Sydney- Brisbane line)
- Bus services connect to coastal areas and major cities
- Taxi services available within Kempsey area (limited availability)
- Airport shuttles from Port Macquarie Airport by advance booking
Car Rental Prices
Low-cost rental tips
- Compare prices from Port Macquarie Airport as well as Kempsey town. It's a 35-minute drive, but you might find more vehicle options and better deals.
- Book well in advance for peak times like summer holidays or Easter. Cars are limited in Kempsey, and weekend pickups can be tricky as most depots have short Saturday hours.
- A standard car is perfectly fine for getting to the main beaches and sights. You don't need to spend extra on a big vehicle to explore the area.
- Fill your tank in Kempsey before heading to the coast. Fuel is often more expensive and harder to find in smaller beach towns like South West Rocks or Crescent Head.
Car hire prices in Kempsey 2025/2026
Parking and Driving
| Location | Parking Options | Costs & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kempsey CBD | Street spots, council lots | Mostly free but time limits (1-2 hours). All-day spaces available at Central Carpark and Belgrave Street. |
| Kempsey Central Shopping Centre | Large shopping centre lot | Free spaces, time limits in some sections (3 hours) |
| South West Rocks (day trips) | Street spots, beach lots | Free but limited spaces during peak season |
| Crescent Head (day trips) | Beach spots, street spaces | Free but very limited - arrive early in summer |
| Hat Head (day trips) | Informal areas | Free, limited spaces |
| Trial Bay Gaol | Dedicated area | National Parks entry fee applies |
Local Driving Regulations:
- Speed Limits: 50 km/h in town areas, 80-100 km/h on rural roads, 110 km/h on Pacific Highway
- School Zones: 40 km/h during 8-9:30 AM and 2:30-4 PM on school days
- River Crossings: The Macleay River cuts through the region. The main bridge in Kempsey is on Pacific Highway
- Rural Roads: Some outlying roads may be unsealed or narrow. Check your rental agreement and avoid unsealed roads if it is not permitted.
- Wildlife Awareness: High risk of wildlife on country roads, especially at dawn and dusk
- Flood Prone Areas: Lower Macleay roads can flood during heavy rain. Check conditions
- Pacific Highway: Generally flows well since bypass completion, but can be busy during holiday periods
Seasonal Traffic Notes
- Christmas/Summer Period: Much more traffic to coastal destinations
- Easter Long Weekend: Popular holiday period so expect more highway traffic
- School Holidays: More traffic between Kempsey and beaches
Why rent a car in Kempsey
Book a rental so you can see:
- South West Rocks – Trial Bay Gaol, Smoky Cape Lighthouse, Arakoon National Park
- Crescent Head – Crescent Head Lookout, beaches
- Hat Head – Hat Head National Park, lookouts, beaches
- Bellbrook – Macleay River, villages
- Nambucca Heads – river mouth, beaches
- Smithtown – Nestlé factory, riverfront
Local Rental Locations
- ARM Airport
- Armidale
- Ballina
- Byron Bay
- Car Hire Tamworth
- CFS Airport
- Coffs Harbour
- Compare Car Hire Prices at Ballina Airport (BNK)
- Coolangatta
- Forster
- Grafton
- Inverell
- Lismore
- Maitland
- Moree
- Muswellbrook
- Narrabri
- Port Macquarie
- PQQ Airport
- Singleton
- Taree
- TMW Airport
- Tweed Heads
- Yamba
FAQs
Is Kempsey a good base for exploring the region?
Kempsey offers a central, affordable base for exploring both coastal and inland attractions. Staying in Kempsey provides easy access to South West Rocks, Hat Head and Crescent Head (all within 30 minutes) while offering more accommodation options and better amenities than the smaller coastal villages.
What's the best way to explore the beaches from Kempsey?
A rental car is needed as public transport to coastal areas is limited or unavailable. The coastal villages of South West Rocks, Hat Head and Crescent Head each offer different beach experiences and are all within 20-30 minutes' drive of Kempsey.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle to explore the Macleay Valley?
For most visitors, a standard 2WD vehicle is sufficient. All main attractions and beaches are accessible via sealed roads. If planning to explore more remote areas or national parks, an SUV offers better ground clearance on unsealed sections.
Can I take a rental car on the beach in the Macleay area?
Standard rental agreements prohibit beach driving. Some beaches in the area allow 4WD access, but this requires special permits and appropriate vehicles, which are not usually available through standard rental companies.
Are there any toll roads around Kempsey?
No, there are no toll roads in the Kempsey region. The Pacific Highway and all local roads are toll-free. Tolls only become relevant if driving towards Sydney (from Newcastle southward) or into Brisbane.
How far in advance should I book a rental car in Kempsey?
For the summer holiday period (December-January) and Easter, booking at least 4-6 weeks in advance is recommended due to limited fleet size. For general weekends, 1-2 weeks notice is advisable. During quieter periods, same-week bookings may be possible but selection will be limited.
