Daisy Plains – About 1.5 hours west of Kempsey

Not a lot of people have heard of Daisy Plains, tucked up in the Carrai National Park but I consider it a hidden gem. To get there from the Coffs Coast, we go west through Kempsey, Temagog and Willawarrin. The trip into the hills passes through stunning farmland and then twists and winds its way skyward.

Be sure to check out the restored buildings at Kookaburra where, back in the day, there was a small village supporting the local sawmill. Wander down to the creek to see the huge old timber water wheel.

McMillans Hut near Daisy Plains

Further up the mountain we normally camp at the NPWS huts that are open to the public. Staying here is free and the huts are a great alternative if the weather gets nasty. Daisy Plains, now an abandoned town was once an area thriving with mines and a village. Look out for the mining gear, hut and sign beside the road.

I love this area as the forest is alive with bird calls, stunning tree ferns grow beneath massive gums and the views from Mary’s Lookout down to the valley below and across the plateau will leave you speechless.

Mulligans – About 1.5 hours west of Grafton

West of Grafton up on the Gibraltar Range sits a special little place where you can explore local history, attempt one of the many world heritage walks or just sit back and soak up the serenity.

I first discovered Mulligans campground a decade or so ago and have visited many times since.

Hiking within the park is a popular activity with walks varying in length from 10 minutes to several days. The flora is diverse too ranging from stunning rainforest pockets and ancient grass trees to wetlands and dry timber forests.

Being granite country, there are a lot of unique rock formations within the park. The views on offer are magnificent as are the cascades. Check out Mulligans Hut which NPWS have restored to its former glory. Even though this is a NPWS camp area it is extremely well set-up for day users, walking campers and off-road caravans.

Barra Nulla Cascades near Mulligans Hut, Gibraltar Range National Park

Kevin Smith is a mad keen fisherman, camper, mountain-biker, explorer and all-round adventurer. He has been based on the coast for the better part of 30 years and runs Woolgoolga Off Road as a sideline hobby. He loves getting out and about, be it by vehicle, kayak or SUP. Kev can be reached via Facebook and Instagram

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Located 75km north-west of Grafton, The Gorge Station is a hidden getaway where access is sometimes controlled by the massive floods that occur in the catchment area of the Clarence, also known as ‘The Big River.’

The Gorge Station is a property of more than 8,000 acres with 10km of river frontage on the Clarence. It has been owned by the same family for over a century. And before tourism came calling, the property has long been a working cattle station. This spot is perfect for day trippers or campers seeking an escape in a peaceful and beautiful environment.

Finding this destination is almost as exciting as spending time there! To get there, head out and pass through the hamlet of Copmanhurst, looking out for Appletree Flat Road on your left at the 10km mark which is signposted, ‘The Gorge Station.’ It won’t be long before you hit Lilydale Bridge. This bridge has been kept low for a reason. Massive floods often impact this area and keeping the bridge low lets the flow and water and debris pass over the top, allowing for minimal disruption when the levels subside.

After crossing the bridge, it’s a right turn at the sign for The Gorge and then you follow your nose for the next 35km. The road twists and winds its way along the ridges, giving you glimpses of the Clarence River below on one side and spectacular mountain views on the other. Crossing grids and splashing through causeways is all part of the drive as is watching out for wildlife along the way – such as the cattle in no hurry at all and the kangaroos with their unpredictable road crossing behaviour even in the middle of nowhere.

The welcoming sign for The Gorge Station appears but it is still another 4km to the homestead.

A stop at the homestead often means being greeted by the owners of the property. Along with a great old country chat, you’re likely to get directions and other helpful advice.

The great thing about staying in this region is the variety of camping areas on offer from water access, terrace camping, water views and even bushland campsites. The sites are nicely spread out too giving you a sense of privacy from other campers.

The Gorge is renowned for water activities such as bass fishing (catch and release only), canoeing and swimming in the fresh, clear water of the Clarence River. There are also ample opportunities to bushwalk and take in the incredible waterfalls and mountain scenery.  For a small fee it’s also possible to hire a tinny and zoom upstream towards the waterfalls, to experience the reason they call this spot The Gorge.

Heavily timbered hills lie in the distance with small pockets of micro climates that are in and around the old fig trees and plants grow from the rocks that line the river. Fauna lovers will appreciate the range of wildlife here too – from wallabies that bound around the water’s edge, to the plentiful birdlife and if you’re lucky, you may hear a dingo howling in the hills at night.

This is a great destination for a weekend getaway. It’s only two hours from the coastal hustle and bustle yet it provides a great sense of isolation. You will need to be self-sufficient when venturing here.

The Gorge is a popular spot for those who have already discovered it – those well-aware that it’s a very affordable hidden escape, so be sure to book ahead.

For bookings and further information, contact the owners of The Gorge Station on Ph) 6647 2173 or find them online here.

About Kev

Kevin Smith is a mad keen fisherman, camper, mountain-biker, explorer and all-round adventurer. He has been based on the coast for the better part of 30 years and runs Woolgoolga Off Road as a sideline hobby. He loves getting out and about, be it by vehicle, kayak or SUP. Kev can be reached via Facebook and Instagram

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Nymboida – About 1.5 hours west of Coffs Harbour

The Coffs Coast is such a great place but when I need to unwind and switch off, it’s off to the hills I go, headed for the Nymboida region. Directly west of Coffs and only an hour or so inland is where the mighty Nymboida River cuts through gorges. It twists and winds its way north to join the Clarence River.

And while there are several fantastic camping options along the river, my favourite has to be Platypus Flats. Here, we often just spend the day watching and listening to the water trundling by, crashing over the rocks into huge pools of water. Swimming and rafting in the warmer months is the perfect way to escape the heat.

Platypus Flats campground. Image by Kevin Smith

Morning walkers will often see the odd platypus popping its head up checking things out and possibly looking for a feed. Along the road to Platypus Flats there are many options to stop to observe old growth forests, heritage locations and waterfalls.

But what I like best about this spot is that you’re so close to town, yet it feels a million miles away. And another plus? There’s no phone service.

Kevin Smith is a mad keen fisherman, camper, mountain-biker, explorer and all-round adventurer. He has been based on the coast for the better part of 30 years and runs Woolgoolga Off Road as a sideline hobby. He loves getting out and about, be it by vehicle, kayak or SUP. Kev can be reached via Facebook and Instagram 

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Well, it’s like being a kid in a candy store with great offshore fishing for targeting reef and pelagic monsters like Marlin, Tuna and Mackerel. The region also delivers on open beaches and rock ledges for Tailor or Jewfish and we haven’t even started on the Great Lakes yet! With over 100 square kilometres of creeks, rivers, oyster leases and open lake water, it’s an angler’s paradise.

While a tinnie is perfect to explore the maze of waterways, it’s also ideal to throw a kayak in to access the smaller and more secluded waterways. If you’re not watercraft savvy, there are plenty of wharves to access and inlets to walk around. At low tide, you can walk across one of the many sand flats to find a channel or a weed bed where bait fish hide and where bigger fish stalk the edges like Blackfish, Whiting, Flatties and even small Jewfish and Bream. As the warm sun hits these weed beds, it can make the fish more active and alert which hopefully, allows you more strikes.

With an average depth of around five feet, Wallis Lake is pretty shallow in lake terms but this means more sand flats for those big Flathead and Blue Nose Bream. Wallis Lake also has one of the biggest oyster lease systems on the east coast and this gives way to some stonker Bream that have been known to have smoked even the most experienced angler! Tuncurry Channel and Breckenridge Channel are popular spots for Flathead and another suggestion for flatties is around the bend near Red Spot Boat House.

Through April and May, when the warmer water starts to subside, the fish are still feeding on the river prawns. Use this as a guide and match a soft plastic such as a clear prawn or little shad and bounce it along the bottom of any of the sand flats to target a Flattie. Be sure to stick to stealth mode though as they can be timid.

Around the oyster leases, throw a little blade lure or small popper for a sizeable Bream. Be warned, however, that some of these terrors will smack your lure so hard, you’ll never see it again! They may well drag it in and bust you off around any sharps. Another option is to catch a few poddy Mullet for live bait on a run-out tide off the break walls for a classic Forster Jewfish.

Whiting love a good feed too and so, by pumping yabbies or catching a little whitebait, you’ll do well. Use a little finesse for Whiting though as they do spook easily. By fishing light, using either mono or braid down to even 2kg and without a sinker if possible and you’ll have edge over any species you’re targeting.

With many a fishing specialist store in the region staffed by experts to guide you and with bait also readily available, the prospect of catching your dinner looks spot on. My advice, hold off on the pizza delivery until you get out there and have a crack!

What to Catch & When

With thanks to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), here’s an overview, just for Coastbeat, on what’s best to catch along our coastline throughout the year

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Crowdy Bay National Park – Between Taree and Port Macquarie

Often I travel for days to find the perfect camping location but sometimes the best spots are right under my nose. I discovered Crowdy Bay National Park a few years ago and am a huge fan. Not because of the great 4wding or mass of activities but because of how peaceful it is.

At Crowdy itself you can explore the lighthouse on the headland or safely swim and fish in the bay, but my relaxation starts in the camping areas just away from the beaches.

There are two campgrounds; Crowdy Gap and Kylies, both with unique features. Crowdy Gap is my pick as there are large grassy areas, free barbecues and a track to the beach for an early morning fish or romantic evening beach stroll. Just up the road is Kylies Beach campground. It can get busy in peak times and it’s first in, first served basis (no bookings available). At Kylies, keep an eye out for koalas and yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

A short stroll from the campground will lead you to Kylies Hut. This timber slab hut was built in 1940 by a reclusive local farmer, Ernie Metcalfe, for local author, Kylie Tennant as a writing retreat. The beach and hut are named after her. The hut has been restored by NPWS and there is walk-in camping around the hut.

Kylies Hut in the Crowdy Bay National Park has been restored by NPWS

There are two campgrounds; Crowdy Gap and Kylies, both with unique features. Crowdy Gap is my pick as there are large grassy areas, free barbecues and a track to the beach for an early morning fish or romantic evening beach stroll. Just up the road is Kylies Beach campground. It can get busy in peak times and it’s first in, first served basis (no bookings available). At Kylies, keep an eye out for koalas and yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

A short stroll from the campground will lead you to Kylies Hut. This timber slab hut was built in 1940 by a reclusive local farmer, Ernie Metcalfe, for local author, Kylie Tennant as a writing retreat. The beach and hut are named after her. The hut has been restored by NPWS and there is walk-in camping around the hut.

Crowdy Head Light is an active lighthouse located at Crowdy Head

Pebbly Beach – Between Coffs and Grafton

Midway between Coffs and Grafton at the southern end of Yuraygir National Park is a fantastic beachside camp – Pebbly Beach. Because it’s 4wd access only and getting to camp is dictated by the tides, it can be tricky to get there. But once there, it’s pure magic.

The smell of the ocean, taste of salt and the stunning scenery lures you in every time. There’s great fishing, whale and dolphin spotting, beachcombing for miles and a wonderful array of wildlife that calls this place home.

Pebbly Beach

The trek from the highway to the beach turnoff is 17km of dirt road but that’s all part of the adventure! When spending time at Pebbly, we always head back into the Barcoongere State Forest to explore and pay homage to the mysterious keyman statue. Not hard to find along Yellow Cutting Road, this statue was made by a timber cutter back in 1957. The creator of the statue was a Lithuanian who migrated to Australia after the Second World War. The keyman statue is said to be a nod to his heritage and a celebration of his new life in Australia.

Kevin Smith is a mad keen fisherman, camper, mountain-biker, explorer and all-round adventurer. He has been based on the coast for the better part of 30 years and runs Woolgoolga Off Road as a sideline hobby. He loves getting out and about, be it by vehicle, kayak or SUP. Kev can be reached via Facebook and Instagram 

The post Camping by the Beach appeared first on Coastbeat.

Recently, I discovered a new destination called Ilaroo campground which sits at the northern end of the Yuraygir National Park. It is a wonderful spot and one that local Aboriginal people have called home for many generations. They have met, held ceremonies and fished here and in other areas close by.

The campground is located about 45 minutes from Grafton and just a little over an hour from Coffs Harbour. From Grafton, you head south for about 12km before tracking east 36km, following signs to Minnie Water.

Ilaroo is home to two camping areas (north and south) that combined, have around 60 campsites. The campgrounds both offer great facilities with long-drop toilets, large garbage bins, fire and BBQ pits and picnic tables with all facilities very well maintained.

And everything is within a stone’s throw of the beach and when I say stone’s throw – I mean smelling the salt air as you lay in bed and hearing the calls of the ocean birds and sound of the waves rolling onto the shore.

There are plenty of activities to be had; exploring the trails that lead you to stunning lookouts with views to the north and south, walking to Minnie Water for lunch, enjoying awesome beach fishing or taking your 4wd north along the beach to the secluded fishing village of Sandon.

It’s amazing what you might come across as you drive up the beach – such as handmade shell turtles, dolphins jumping in the surf, dingo tracks in the sand or even a smelly old whale carcass that has been chewed by those fish in grey suits that patrol the coast.

It’s a pretty easy drive up the beach at low tide. With NPWS placing driving aids over the headland, most 4wds should not have a problem accessing the area. Popping over the headland, it’s only a 4km meander through coastal bush until you enter Sandon.

The only way to get to Sandon is by 4wd or boat but the rewards are worth it. The area offers secluded coves, beaches filled with shells, boating and fishing in Sandon River and the chance to simply park up, wander the few streets and admire the old fishing huts. Sandon is very peaceful and there aren’t too many permanents who reside there but those who do are lucky to live in such an amazing spot.

So, if you’re looking for a quick getaway close to Coffs and Grafton, this place should be on your list. And there’s no need to worry should you forget anything – the nearby shops at Wooli and Minnie Water will have you covered for the necessities and delicious local seafood too.

Kev loves his camping, fishing, kayaking and is an all-round action man. He’s been based here for the better part of 30 years and loves sharing his north coast adventures with our readers. When not out and about Kev runs Woolgoolga Off Road as a sideline hobby.

The post Ilaroo Campground & Sandon – Yuraygir National Park appeared first on Coastbeat.

Now you need to be very self-sufficient at George’s with food, fuel and shelter as it is a remote location and with no phone service there’s no chance to phone a friend.

There are two main camping areas – aptly named upper and lower.

The upper one has a single long drop toot, large grassy sites overlooking the river, being shadowed by steep terrain. While the lower one has easy water access with several secluded spots but can be pretty rocky.

Why is it on my top 10 list? Well if you love your free camping, swimming, fishing or paddling in a pristine waterway this is a place for you. Taking a dip with steep mountains looking down on you, listening to the birds, the smell of campfire smoke or just the serenity of the area it’s pure magic. At night, a billion stars stare down on you as you listen to the water passing by and the sounds of the night creatures come alive.

For the fisherman It’s Bass heaven where deep pools hide angry fish waiting to pounce on lures when thrown about, yet if you’re a kayaker or just love the water these pools are serene as you float about looking for life above and below the water.

The kids can play happily building rock walls, making pools or even looking for yabbies.

Keen experienced 4wders can follow the river trail that leads you further upstream crisscrossing the river – warning here though, the river crossings change constantly and should only be tempted by the very experienced. Could be a good trail for the walkers!

Several days at Georges will make you lose track of time but you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed, but soon realise that the world is buzzing away, and you need drag yourself home to fit in again.

Kevin Smith is an avid outdoorsman you can read more of his adventures on his blog:
https://woolgoolgaoffroad.blogspot.com.au/

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