The NSW mid north coast, and its hinterland, is a four-wheel driving and camping paradise.Look at a map of the area and you'll see that much of it is coloured green.

Behind Port Macquarie, the rugged foothills of the Great Dividing Range, and the higher peaks and ridges, were not so long ago available for extensive logging, but in recent years many of these former state forests have also been added to the national parks register.

There are still many areas of state forest however, and for the recreational user they have some advantages over national parks.

You can't take pets into national parks, for example, but they are permitted in state forests. So is horseriding.

Four-wheel driving is only allowed on a few tracks in the parks, but in state forests there are greater opportunities for both soft-roading and more rugged stuff. You can also go trail bike riding - as long as you comply with relevant laws - on the tracks which criss-cross state forests.

Campsites also differ in some respects. Some National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) campsites, particularly the heavily used ones on the coast, charge a daily fee. State forest sites are free and firewood is usually supplied.

While logging is still carried out in state forests, it is now carefully managed and confined to relatively small areas. Camping sites tend to be in preserved sections, where the bush is as beautiful as any other natural area.

When driving in a state forest, though, you need to be alert for signs advising of logging activity and the presence of timber jinkers.

The well known coastal national parks around Crowdy Bay, Port Macquarie and Crescent Head are covered in other feature stories in our Mid North Coast section.

Let's have a look at a few of the less well known tracks and campsites in the state forests behind the coast.

The Hastings Forest Way is a wonderful drive that provides access to several terrific camping sites.

Head west from Port Macquarie on the Oxley Highway to Wauchope, then take a right turn just past the showground, signposted to Beechwood and Werrikimbe National Park.

At the T-junction just over the Bains Bridge river crossing, turn left for the short drive to Beechwood.

Turn right on to the Hastings Forest Way at Beechwood.

The road soon turns to dirt and is quite winding, but is fine for a conventional sedan.

When you come to the five ways intersection, deep in the forest, you'll see a right turn on to Cobrabald Road. Ten kilometres down this road is Wild Bull camping area, on the banks of the Wilson River. Two kilometres further on, across the river, is Bluff Picnic Area where there are several secluded campsites.

You're in state forest here, so if you have a four-wheel drive and a detailed map there are many tracks to explore. Be aware though that a combination of recent rain and some very steep climbs can make some tracks extremely difficult, if not impassable.

Bob's Ridge Road is a rugged 4WD track which links Wild Bull picnic area with Slippery Rocks camping area in Kiparra State Forest. Here, you can have a swim in one of the shallow waterholes. A deeper hole is located a few kilometres upstream along Rocky Road at Kiparra Recreation Area.

Slippery Rocks can also be reached via Telegraph Point, a village on the Pacific Highway just north of Port Macquarie, and Rollands Plains.

Swans Crossing is a large camping area in Kerwong State Forest, easily reached by turning off the highway (left) at Kew, which is between Taree and Port Macquarie. The turn is signposted to Comboyne.

Follow the main road for a few kilometres to the pretty village of Kendall. Continue through Kendall, then turn right on to Upsalls Creek Road at the Swans Crossing sign, a few kilometres past town.

Again, this road is mostly dirt but is suitable for cars. It's about 15 minutes to Swan's Crossing camping area, which has toilets, wood, water and barbecues.

Swan's Crossing is a large clearing - once dairy paddocks - in the middle of the forest and is particularly suitable for large groups because you can spread out. Kids have plenty of room to run around and ride their bikes, there's a swimming hole adjacent to the campground and some beautiful bushwalks along Upsalls Creek.

Some excellent 4WD tracks are accessible from Swans Crossing. Take Zinc Road north from the entrance to the camping area, which connects with Blackbutt Road, the main track that runs along the ridges of the Bago Range. A detailed map will show many 4WD tracks running off Blackbutt Road. Head for Bago Bluff and The Rollover for spectacular views over the Hastings Valley.

Closer to the coast, there's a short but rugged track - low range and good clearance are required - on which to test your 4WD skills. Please leave this track - and most others on the mid north coast - alone if it has been raining in recent days.

Take the Spring Creek Road turnoff at the Lake Cathie end of Houston Mitchell Drive, the link road between the Pacific Highway and the Port Macquarie-Laurieton coastal drive.

About five kilometres along Spring Creek Road is a left turn, signposted to Jolly Nose. Follow this track - be careful of log trucks because this is an active area - and when you see the "4WD Access Only" sign, select low range and continue up the steep climb to Jolly Nose, a bluff with a panoramic view of the coast.

At the top, turn right and drive anti clockwise around the small turning area adjacent to the tower. Instead of heading back down the same way, bear right at the end of the circle on to an extremely steep - first gear, low range - descent.

Follow this track, which is short but has some tough climbs and descents, bearing right at the fork and continuing back to Spring Creek Road. It takes about 15-20 minutes.

A recommended map, which has details of these and many other camping and 4WD experiences in this area, is State Forest's Mid North Coast Forest Map, available at camping stores. For more information, you can also go to www.forest.nsw.gov.au.

NSW National Parks can be closed at times of bushfire and bushfire danger. It is advisable to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you set off. Either phone 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600 or visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.