Yuraygir is a water wonderland with isolated beaches, quiet lake systems and striking scenery. The park is less than an hour’s drive from Grafton, Maclean and Coffs Harbour, on the north coast of New South Wales. Covering 60 km of coastline, it extends from the tidal lakes at the mouth of the Clarence River, to the Corindi River in the south.
The park and adjoining resorts provide opportunities for every kind of north coast holiday with swimming, fishing, walking, canoeing and surfing on some of the best beaches in Australia.
Flanked by rocky headlands and sweeping beaches, these towns and villages have a backdrop of natural beauty in the forests, heaths, estuaries and swamps of Yuraygir.
ACCESS
The Wooli and Sandon Rivers divide the park into three sections. All weather roads give access from the Pacific Highway to each section.
Northern Section: from the Pacific Highway take the road to Yamba, turn south on the Angourie road and then take a right turn into Lakes Boulevard, just before Angourie, for access to the Angourie Bay facilities in northern Yuraygir. Turn off the Pacific Highway at Maclean for access along the Brooms Head Road to Brooms Head (25 km) near Red Cliff Lookout and Lake Arragan Rest Area, and to the Sandon River Camping area (35 km).
Central Section: take the Pacific Highway south of Grafton for 15 kms then turn left onto Wooli Road. Turn left again at the Minnie Water turnoff. Illaroo Rest Area is 1 km north of Minnie Water. For Boorkoom and Wilsons Picnic Areas from Wooli Road turn left onto Diggers Camp Road and travel 4 kms.
Southern Section: turn off the Pacific Highway onto Barcoongere Forest Way (44 km south of Grafton and 46 km north of Coffs Harbour) for access to Station Creek Rest Area (14 km).
PARK REST AREAS
Park rest areas provide picnic and simple short term camping facilities, pit toilets, garbage pits and firewood. Bring all your own supplies and drinking water. Maximum length of stay is six weeks. Unoccupied tents or vans may not be left on site. Generators are not permitted. A fee is charged, payable to the fee collector who will call at your camp. Bookings are not taken.
Angourie Bay and Mara Creek Picnic Areas are situated close to the beach with the waves of Angourie Point providing some of the best surfing conditions on the coast. New walkways give access to delightful picnic areas and fishing spots. Access is from Lakes Boulevard off the Angourie Road.
Red Cliff Lookout and Lake Arragan Rest Area are located close to the popular fishing and swimming spot around Red Cliff Beach, Brooms Head Beach and Lake Arragan. The low heath vegetation on the headland allows spectacular views up and down the Yuraygir coastline. Access is from the Brooms Head road 5 km before you reach Brooms Head.
Sandon River Camping Area is located 10 km south of Brooms Head. Surrounded by trees at the mouth of the Sandon River the camping area gives access to both river and beach and offers anglers the catch of a lifetime.
Illaroo Rest Area is located 1 km north of Minnie Water village. Good access for beach fishing and a seaside picnic area will help make your holiday unforgettable. Access is through Minnie Water village.
Boorkoom and Wilsons Headland Picnic Areas are immediately south of Diggers Camp village. Walk from the picnic areas to isolated coves on the rocky headland and find quiet places to get away from it all. Access via Wooli Road and Diggers Camp Road.
Station Creek Rest Area is hidden in angophora and banksia woodland beside Station Creek estuary and is a favourite place for bird watchers. The beach is a short stroll away. Access is along Barcoongere Forest Way.
WALKS
The Angourie walking track links Mara Creek Picnic Area in the north with Lake Arragan Rest Area to the south. This 10 km walking track is regarded as one of the most magnificent coastal walks in Australia. With its specially constructed stairs and boardwalks it opens up a previously inaccessible fragile coastline of great beauty.
Picnic and walk-in camping facilities are provided at Shelley Beach, Shelley Headland and Plumbago.
Another attractive coastal walkway has been constructed at Wilsons Headland linking the picnic area with the Boorkoom Picnic Area. This path runs for 3 km and is known as the Wilson Headland Walk. On this track there are panoramic ocean views to be seen on one side and banks of wildflowers and ferns of many varieties to be seen on the other, making it a walk not to be missed.
Two new tracks have been constructed in the Station Creek area. The Corkwood Walk which includes the Scribbly Gum Walk passes through diverse coastal forest offering views and access to Station Creek. The Freshwater Track links the rest area to Freshwater Beach, offering spectacular views of headlands and beaches.
ACTIVITIES
Yuraygir deserves its reputation as a prime area for fishing! Tailor, bream, mullaway, whiting and flathead are caught in season off the beaches, as well as a variety of rock fish.
Surfing is popular, as Yuraygir’s headlands and beaches feature some of the best spots on the north coast.
The park’s waterways invite exploration by canoe. The estuaries offer many safe swimming spots for children. Beach walking is an excellent and easy way to explore the park. Boat transport or swimming is needed to cross Wooli and Sandon Rivers, if you intend to take extensive coastal walks.
Bushwalkers may camp throughout the park, except in the catchments of Lake Hiawatha and Lake Minnie Water, which are town water supplies.
For more information contact:
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Lismore District, Colonial Arcade,
Main Street, ALSTONVILLE 2477
Phone (02) 6627 0200
Information provided by National Parks & Wildlife Services
Photo: Rob Cleary