Illaroo campground
Yuraygir National Park
Overview
Illaroo campground offers scenic beach camping sites for caravans, tents and trailers. Near Grafton and Wooli, it’s great for fishing, swimming, canoeing and snorkelling.
| Number of campsites | 70 |
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| Camping type | Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle |
| Facilities | Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, toilets, rubbish bin |
| Entry fees |
Park entry fees are not included in your camping fee. |
| Group bookings | Book up to 40 people or 9 sites online. This campground also has a bookable group site. School groups and Park Eco Pass holders can submit a group booking enquiry form. |
| Please note |
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The spacious Illaroo campground is split in two parts – north and south – and offers campsites just a hop, skip and a jump from the beach.
Lovely walks including the Angophora Grove walk are nearby and the beach offers an endless array of options – from fishing to swimming to snorkelling. If you’re into canoeing try the nearby and stunning Wooli River and fishing boats can be launched from Minnie Water. In fact, it’s almost too easy to while away your days in this idyllic spot – you’ll never want to leave.
Wooli and Grafton are easily accessible if you find you need supplies while camping in this remote area.
If you’re thinking of camping with a group, be sure to visit the Illaroo group camping area.
Nearby
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Illaroo group camping area
Illaroo group camping area offers an exclusive area for group camping. Near Grafton and Wooli, it’s great for fishing, swimming, canoeing and snorkelling.
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Angophora grove walking track
Angophora grove walking track, in Yuraygir National Park, is a short easy coastal hike with scenic views as well as picnic and camping opportunities.
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Rocky Point walking track
Rocky Point walking track is an easy walk, with spectacular coastal views and plenty of great vantage points for whale watching, making it an ideal family day out.
Map
Map
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Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/illaroo-campground/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Yuraygir National Park in the North Coast region
Yuraygir National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Illaroo campground.
Getting there and parking
Illaroo campground is in the Minnie Water precinct of Yuraygir National Park. To get there from Grafton:
- Drive around 12km southeast on the Pacific Highway.
- Turn left at Eight Mile Lane. Follow Eight Mile Lane as it becomes Wooli Rd (keep right) for another 28km and turn left at Minnie Water Road.
- Continue for about 6km into Minnie Water Village and follows signs to Illaroo campground, turning left at Illaroo Road.
- The campground will be ahead in just over 2km.
Road conditions
Check the weather before you set out as the road to Illaroo campground can become boggy when it rains. You can access the beach with your 4WD.
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available in bitumen seal carparks in the northern and southern parts of Illaroo campground.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Yuraygir National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Autumn is the perfect time of year to go beach fishing along the park's coastline.
Spring
The park's heathlands provide a spectacular display of wildflowers. Check them out on your choice of walking track, including the Wilsons Headland walk and, of course, the Yuraygir coastal walk.
Summer
Visit in summer to make the most of the park's countless beaches and waterways. Swim, surf or snorkel – cooling sea breezes provide welcome relief in hot weather.
Winter
Plan a winter trip to go whale watching. The sight of migrating whales swimming north to warmer waters is second-to-none, and there are magnificent viewing points at Red Cliffs lookout and Brooms Head.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
42.5°C
Winter temperature
Average
9°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
2.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
300mm
Facilities
- Sites are marked and are suitable for motorhomes, caravans, camper trailers, campervans and tents.
- There are no showers
- This campground has no power
Toilets
There are 2 sets of accessible non-flush toilets at the campground, one in the northern section of the campground and one in the southern section.
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
You can buy firewood at the campground or in nearby shops at Minnie Water.
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Drinking water
Drinking water is available within the north and south campgrounds.
Rubbish bin
Step-free access
Most of Illaroo campground is flat and step-free, with footpaths to the toilets. To get to the other parts of the campground, you'll need to cross over flat grass and hard-packed ground.
There are some parts of the campground that are not step-free:
- The path that links the northern and southern sections of the campground has 2 sets of 12 steps
- All beach access paths have steps
Seats and resting points
There are benches along some of the access paths to the beach.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Most of Illaroo campground is flat and step-free. There are some parts of the campground where people with reduced mobility may need assistance:
- To get around some areas, you'll need to cross over flat grass and hard-packed ground.
- Some parts of the campground are not step-free, including the path that links the northern and southern sections and all beach access paths.
The campground has the following accessible facilities:
- Accessible toilets in both the northern and southern sections that are set along bitumen paths. The toilets have a timber walkway with handrails to reach the entrance.
- Bench seats for resting
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Beach fires are not permitted.
Generators
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Illaroo campground is in Yuraygir National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A watery wonderland
The park not only boasts a superb coastline but also features rivers, lakes and estuaries, so swimmers and snorkelers are spoilt for choice. Remember your fishing rod - the waters off the park are excellent for jewfish and groper, and Sandon River is among the state's most popular fishing spots. If surfing is your thing, you can't beat the legendary Angourie Surfing Reserve - it hosts what's arguably Australia's best right-hand point break. Yuraygir is also a paddler's paradise, its sheltered waterways provide the ideal setting for canoeing, kayaking and boating.
- Angourie Bay picnic area After surfing or swimming at the Clarence Coast’s famous Angourie Headland, stop off at the scenic Angourie Bay picnic area for a tasty picnic lunch with the family.
- Wooli to Red Rock walking track Wooli to Red Rock walking track, part of Yuraygir coastal walk, is a moderate hiking route with river crossings, scenic coastal views and great opportunities for birdwatching.
Important landscapes
When you visit Yuraygir, you're entering one of the most diverse bioregions in Australia. Wander past age-old coastal landforms, littoral rainforest, eucalypt forest, woodland and wetlands - much of which simply wouldn't be there without the park's protection. Pay a visit to Shelley Headland to see the state's most significant remaining example of grassy clay heath.
- Angourie to Brooms Head walking track Angourie to Brooms Head walking track, part of Yuraygir coastal walk, is a hiking route offering scenic lookouts and opportunities for beach walking, birdwatching, and seasonal whale watching.
- Yuraygir coastal walk Hike the multi-day Yuraygir coastal walk on the Clarence Coast near Yamba. You’ll find loads of places for whale watching, snorkelling and swimming, with overnight stops at beach campgrounds.
- Yuraygir guided treks with Home Comforts Hiking Home Comforts Hiking offers guided treks of Yuragir coastal walk with overnight accommodation in 4 charming coastal villages. It’s a great way to explore this beautiful coastline near Yamba and Coffs Harbour.
Precious and protected
At Yuraygir, you can see some of the country’s most vulnerable native wildlife up close, such as squirrel gliders and eastern grass owls. See if you can spot a rufous bettong, a rarely-seen rabbit-sized marsupial also know as the rufous rat-kangaroo. Or even the shy Queensland blossom-bat, Australia’s smallest fruit bat. The threatened green and golden bell frog is one of the 25 amphibians within Yuraygir – likely to be found around swamps, lagoons and flood plains. Keep an eye out for coastal emus, once so prevalent and now, sadly an endangered species with fewer than 100 left in the park.
- Wilsons Headland walking track The easy Wilsons Headland walking track is ideal for whale watching along the Clarence Coast. Starting at Boorkoom campground, the hiking track offers scenic coastal views.
- Yuraygir coastal walk Hike the multi-day Yuraygir coastal walk on the Clarence Coast near Yamba. You’ll find loads of places for whale watching, snorkelling and swimming, with overnight stops at beach campgrounds.
Treasured culture
The landscape of Yuraygir National Park has been, and remains, the Country of Aboriginal groups. Generations of Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr People camped, fished and held ceremonies here and numerous areas remain of strong spiritual significance to the Aboriginal community. Take the Freshwater Walk and view the most impressive pandanus palms - this important Gumbaynggirr ceremonial plant was used to weave neckbands, dillybags and baskets.
- Brooms Head to Illaroo walking track Brooms Head to Illaroo walking track, part of Yuraygir coastal walk, is a hiking route with river crossings, beach walking, scenic coastal views and birdwatching opportunities.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus)
The eastern ground parrot is a beautiful, ground-dwelling native bird that lives in low heathland habitat along the NSW North and South coasts and escarpments. It’s listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.
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White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.
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Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)
The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.
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Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.
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Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)
One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.
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Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
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Green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)
The green and golden bell frog is an endangered Australian frog. Once common on the NSW coast and tablelands, populations have plummeted around 90 percent.
Plants
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Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)
An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.