town, northeastern New South Wales, Australia. It lies 25 miles (40 km) upstream from the coastal mouth of the Macleay River. Established in 1836, it was at first accessible only by sea via the harbour at Trial Bay. It was proclaimed a municipality in 1886 and is named after the Valley of Kempsey on the River Severn in Worcestershire, Eng.

The principal town of the Macleay valley, Kempsey has suffered from floods caused partly by deforestation of the nearby highlands. The town is located on the Pacific Highway, 145 miles (233 km) north-northeast of Newcastle, and on the Sydney-Brisbane railway. Kempsey serves a district of dairy, corn (maize), and fodder farming and lumbering. Its industries include dairy and bacon processing and furniture, plywood, veneer, plaster, brick, and pipe manufacture. A spring festival and rodeo are held there in October, and a district agricultural show is held in April. Pop. (2006) local government area, 27,387.