Shark Bay picnic area is in the Iluka area of Bundjalung National Park. To get there:

• From Pacific Highway take the Iluka Road turnoff and follow for 11.8km
• Turn left into Shark Bay picnic area, 50m past the Shark Bay 4WD access.
• Drive 200m to the carpark bays next to the picnic area

Road quality

• Sealed roads

Vehicle access

• 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

• All weather

Parking

Parking is available 20m from the picnic area in small parking bays on Shark Bay Road.

By bike

Bike access is available.

Toilets

The non-flush toilet at this picnic area is an ambulant toilet.

• Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

• Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Carpark

Step-free access

The picnic area is flat and step-free, but there are no pathways. You'll need to cross over flat grass to reach the facilities.

From the picnic area, there's a sandy track that leads to the beach. It's step-free, but people with reduced mobility may need assistance to get across the soft surface.

• Shark Bay picnic area factsheet
• Shark Bay picnic area map (1MB pdf)

Disability access level - medium

• This picnic area is mostly flat grass over compacted sand and there are no pathways. People with reduced mobility may need assistance to cross these surfaces to reach the facilities.
• There's an ambulant non-flush toilet.
• An Easyrider large-wheel wheelchair is available for free from nearby Woody Head campground.

• Iluka Bluff lookout Stay as long as you like to enjoy the views at Iluka Bluff lookout, near Yamba. Not only is it an excellent whale watching spot, it’s also a great place to picnic.
• Jerusalem Creek walk Keep your eyes peeled for birds nesting along the creek along the Jerusalem Creek walk. Enjoy the hike as a day walk or shorter walk and finish up with a picnic lunch.

Animals

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  Peron's tree frog (Litoria peroni)

  Peron’s tree frog is found right across NSW. These tree-climbing and ground-dwelling Australian animals can quickly change colour, ranging from pale green-grey by day, to a reddish brown with emerald green flecks at night. The male frog has a drill-like call, which has been described as a 'maniacal cackle’.

• 

  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.

• 

  Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

  One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

• 

  Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

  One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.

• 

  Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

  The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.

• 

  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.