People living in the mid-north coast of New South Wales are very lucky to have so many choices between captivating coastal and mountainous national parks. It will take a little bit of time and effort for you to reach these beautiful natural wonders. So, you should plan your next trip now!
One of the best parks in the state is the Yuraygir National Park. The park is a hidden gem boasting stunning views of the beach, creeks, and rugged headlands. It is also part of the largest stretch of protected coastline in New South Wales which measure a total of 65 km.
So, here are all the things that you should know about Yuraygir National Park…
How Do I Get There?
Reaching Yuraygir National Park can take a little bit of time. From Sydney, you should take the Pacific Highway. After 540 km, you will reach Coffs Harbour where you can stock up on supplies before heading to Yuraygir. There are also a number of tourist attractions in Coffs Harbour such as the Big Banana which is visible from the Pacific Highway. The attraction was created because the town was once a booming producer of bananas.
Head north of Coffs Harbour to reach the entrance of Yuraygir National Park. However, the bitumen will disappear along the way so be careful when you’re driving.
Why Should I Visit Yuraygir National Park?
For most people, their main reason for visiting Yuraygir National Park is to explore and see for themselves the hidden camping treasure of Pebbly Beach. Unlike other popular campsites found along the eastern coast of New South Wales, the secluded Pebbly Beach is hidden under the radar of mainstream tourism publications.
It may be the most beautiful campsite along the eastern seaboard but the lack of visitors adds to its charm. The main reason why we think that it’s not as famous as we reckon it to be is that it can only be accessed through a 4WD vehicle.
Where Can I Drive My 4WD Vehicle in Yuraygir National Park?
You can use your 4WD vehicle in order to reach the beautiful Pebbly Beach campsite. Before heading there, low range and low tyre pressure are required to reach this secluded stretch of beach. These steps are important as you will have to traverse 4WD tracks, drive through a stretch of soft sandy beach, and traverse through a creek crossing before arriving at the campsite.
To reach Pebbly Beach, you’ll need to drive your 4WD vehicle through the Barcoongere Forest Way for about 43 km. The said track can be rough in spots, but you’ll soon reach Station Creek where you’ll see a sign that requires 4WD vehicle access to the track leading to the camping area of Pebbly Beach.
If you’re tired after hours of driving, you can set up camp at the secluded campsite at Station Creek. You can also opt to use a boat at the southern section of the campground if you want to engage in fishing.
How Can I Reach Pebbly Beach?
To reach the campsite, follow the signs leading to the 4WD track and you’ll soon hit the beach after going through a tight and bumpy sand track. You will also see magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean on the entrance of the beach. Sand dunes dating from the Pleistocene era and interesting black swamps are other things that you should see near the beach.
Before driving for 2.5 km on the beach, you should check for the tidal times so that you’ll not get stuck. This is very important as you will need to cross a tidal creek which is only passable at low tide. After this creek, you will immediately reach the Pebbly Beach campsite.
Is Pebbly Beach Really Any Good?
After crossing the creek, you will see a surreal view of the beach and sand. The campsite also has plenty of room to pitch a tent at Pebbly Beach and there are also a number of amenities like fire pits. If you plan to visit, you can enjoy an open fire to cook your meals in an epic bush feast. You can also whip up a few cold beers as the waves crash directly in front of you.
On the campsite, you will be sandwiched by the Pacific Ocean and two spectacular headlands in both directions. So, you’ll be well-protected by the wilderness and picturesque cove that both have truly stunning views.
You will also feel very secluded as the campsite is virtually unknown aside from 4WD enthusiasts. However, this might change a little bit on peak seasons like holidays and during summer.
What Other Things Can I Do in Yuraygir National Park?
When you’re done setting up camp and starting a campfire, you can take a short walk to the sand dune found west of the campsite. The views from the top of the dunes will give you an overlooking view of the amazing campsite, beach, and wilderness. The campsite is located right on the beach, so you can also go surfing and swimming in some of the sheltered waterholes.
If you want to go fishing, you won’t be disappointed by the catch. You can catch a number of fish species like snappers, tailors, breams, mulloways, whitings, and flatheads after just 30 minutes of waiting. Fishing is also allowed at Shelley Beach and Brooms Head.
With Yuraygir National Park’s pleasant temperature, you can also do bushwalks while not sweating up buckets because of the heat. The best walking trail that you should take is found in the northern section of the park called Angourie.
You can also do beach driving on the main beach in between Red Cliff and Brooms Head. The stretch along Sandon Beach is also very popular for off-road enthusiasts. While driving, you might even see migrating whales, especially during April and October.
Aside from fishing and driving, you can also explore rugged cliffs, rainforests, and wetlands. These areas also are the habitats of a variety of wildlife including coastal emus, kangaroos, lizards, flying foxes, dingoes, goannas, snakes, and plenty of bird species. With all of these wild animals, you will definitely have a good time especially if you are into spotting wildlife in their natural habitats. However, you should remember that it is not recommended feeding the animals or any food behind.
Do I Need Permits When Visiting the Yuraygir National Park?
The park collects camping fees which are collected by park rangers who visit the Pebbly Beach campsite. You can stay in the area for a maximum of 21 days so you should have enough time to explore the park. It’s also worth noting that you cannot reserve your spot in the camp in advance and vehicles are prohibited south of Station Beach.
What Are the Road Conditions in the Park?
In order to tackle driving on Station Beach, low range is required as the sand can be very soft. You should also time your driving according to the tides as there is a creek crossing at Pebbly Beach and it is impassable during high tide. Overall, the area is accessible for most 4WD vehicles.
Where Can I Get Fuel & Supplies Near Yuraygir National Park?
You can do last-minute shopping for food, water, and fuel at Coffs Harbour before heading into Yuraygir National Park. When you are in the park and you run out of supplies the nearby town of Grafton has plenty of shops and service stations where you can pick up supplies and fuel.
Contact Information for Yuraygir National Park
Contact Grafton NPWS: (02) 6641 1500.
Email: northcoast.region@environment.nsw.gov.au
Visit: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au
Related Questions
How Many National Parks Are There In NSW?
870 national parks – There are more than 870 national parks and reserves in NSW. Find out about the main types of protected areas in NSW on this page: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/types-of-protected-areas
Can You Fish in NSW National Parks?
Experience fishing in NSW national parks and cast your line across the state, from beach fishing near Sydney to trout-filled mountain streams in Kosciuszko National Park. You can choose your own adventure, select a fishing itinerary, or join a guided group tour and fish from your kayak.
Can You Camp in NSW National Parks?
The designated camping areas on NSW national parks vary from park to park. if you need more information about campaign areas in the park your are planning to visit then please contact your local NPWS office before you arrive. Camping is usually restricted to within the boundaries of a campground.
Is A 4 Inch Lift Legal In NSW?
4X4 suspension lift laws has recently changed! Duncan Gay, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight in NSW, has recently announced on Facebook, that the laws on vehicle suspension lifts have changed. Now, you can lift your 4X4 a total of 75mm: 50mm through the suspension, and 25mm through the tyres.
