Iluka Nature Reserve
At the northern end of Crown Street (near Sedgers Reef Hotel), running off Long Street, is a 2.5-km walking track through the Iluka Nature Reserve which connects with Bluff Road and takes the walker out to Iluka Bluff where there is an informative display. The area of 136 hectares, which was established in 1976, boasts 160 shrub and tree species and a similar number of bird varieties. The area is the largest area of sub-tropical littoral rainforest in New South Wales and has been included on the World Heritage Listings. The walk takes around half an hour.
Bundjalung National Park
National Parks and Wildlife publish a single sheet brochure on Bundjalung National Park which provides a detailed map of the roads, fire trails and access points to this particularly beautiful and extensive coastal park which was named after the Bundjalung Aborigines who once occupied this land, leaving a number of middens to attest to that fact.
Bundjalung covers 17,000 hectares, 38 km of beaches and ranges from rainforest through heathland, coastal cypress stands, lagoons and wetlands to coastal plains. The park is home to 205 bird, 30 mammal, 38 reptile and 13 amphibian species.
The Woody Head Camping Area, adjacent World Heritage rainforest, lies just off the road which connects Iluka to the Pacific Highway, as do a number of picnic areas. Ring (02) 6646 6134 for bookings and further information.
Iluka-Yamba Ferry
There is a regular ferry service across to Yamba which also includes cruises up the Clarence River. There are also river cruises to Harwood Island on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and another company has also opened offering river cruises. Contact Clarence River Ferries on (02) 6646 6423 or 018 664 556 for details of departure times. The ferry wharf, boat shed and marina are at the end of Charles St.
Woombah Coffee Plantation
Reputedly the southernmost coffee plantation in the world, Woombah is located 4 km from the Pacific Highway on the way to Iluka. There is a coffee house (which also sells tea) on the site, a small handicrafts shop and, at certain times of the year, there are tours of the plantation available. Contact (02) 6646 4380 for details of times.
Tourist Information and Fishing
Maclean's tourist information centre can be contacted on (02) 6645 4121. They can furnish several items of use to anglers. One is the 'Clarence River Fishing Guide'. It includes a tide chart and up-to-date information concerning which species are about in which seasons, a list of fishing spots within the estuary and along the coastline and which fish you might find at which specific locations. There is also information relating to beach access, boat ramps, recommended bait types, where to obtain fresh bait, size limits, bag limits, current fishing rules and a list of protected species. For further information ring (02) 6688 4356 or email North Coast Maps on grayncm@linknet.com.au
Anglers in non-tidal waterways must purchase a licence at a cost of $10 for one month, $25 for one year or $70 for three years. If you have a credit card you can pay for a licence by ringing the NSW Fisheries on 1300 369 365. They publish a pamphlet entitled 'Marine Recreational Fishing in New South Wales'. It looks at official bag and size limits, protected species, permitted gear, spearfishing regulations, penalties and the location of its offices. The fisheries website is http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au
Wahoo Fishing Charters are located at the Yamba Boat harbour Marina. They offer reef fishing trips which depart at 6.00 a.m. and return at 3.00 p.m. daily, and game-fishing trips on weekends only. Bait, tackle, lunch, tea and coffee are supplied (you can bring your own fishing gear if you wish), tel: (02) 6643 9041 or (0408) 323 770.
Houseboats are available from Yamba (tel: 02 6645 8067) and Brushgrove, tel: (02) 6647 6232. Fishing charter operators are located at Wooli (tel: 02 6649 7100) and Yamba, tel: (02) 6643 9041. Hired boats are not permitted closer than 1 km to the river entrance.
Tackle, bait and boating accessories are available from Iluka Bait and Tackle, at 68 Spencer St (tel: 02 6646 6622) and BP Iluka Auto and Marine Centre, at 60-62 Spencer St, tel: (02) 6645 7121.
Motor boats are available for hire from the Iluka Boatshed and Marina (tel: 02 6646 6106) at the end of Charles St. Also at the end of Charles St is the Iluka Riverside Tourist Park which has a boat ramp and jetty. The fishing is recommended offshore. Another boat ramp and jetty are located at Bimbimbi Riverside Caravan Park, 286 Iluka Road, Woombah, tel: (02) 6646 4272. Woombah is a pretty little village located just east of the Pacific Highway, along the road which leads to Iluka.
Another good fishing spot is Moriarties Wall at the southern tip of Iluka (access off Beach Rd) and you can drop a sinkerless line into Iluka Bay, by the Fishing Co-op (off Queen St). The Co-op sells fresh fish and local seafood. The catch is usually unloaded before 9.00 a.m. each morning with sales occurring from then until noon. Other noted spots in the estuary are around the Middle Wall (access by boat only) and the area along the eastern shore of Freeburn Island.
Iluka Beach, which extends northwards from the northern breakwall of the river mouth, is a good spot for bream, jewfish, tailor and flathead. Behind the beach is Iluka Nature Reserve and further north is Bundjalung National Park.
To the north of the beach are other fine coastal fishing spots such as Iluka Bluff, Bluff Beach, the headland known as Frazers Reef, Middle Bluff, Woody Head and Shark Bay. Most of these sites offer opportunities to variously catch tailor, jewfish, bream, mackerel, tailor and blackfish. Shark Bay, 5 km north via Iluka Road, proffers bream, tailor, whiting, chopper and jewfish. Access to these sites is along side roads which head east off the Iluka Road. The Iluka Road is the main road which connects the town to the Pacific Highway. Locations such as the Woody Head Camping Area are situated adjacent World Heritage rainforest. Ring the National Parks and Wildlife Service office on (02) 6646 6134 for bookings and further information.
Anglers may also wish to investigate the Esk River which branches off the Clarence River near Iluka. Light boats can gain access from the Bill Weily Bridge along the Iluka Road. North of this bridge is Reedy Creek (at the end of Shores Drive) which is another good spot.
A few kilometres east of the Pacific Highway, along Iluka Road, is Wombah Coffee Plantation. A side road branches off here to Goodwood Island which is situated between the main body of the Clarence River and the North Arm, just to the north-west of Iluka. The access road leads over a bridge then follows the water's edge on the southern side of the island. Along the southern shoreline are Browns Rocks which are noted for catches of bream, blackfish and flathead. Anglers can stay at the Browns Rocks Caravan Park, tel: (02) 6646 4324. The Goodwood Island wharf and Collis' Wall (adjacent the eastern end of the island) are also good spots for dangling a line.
The local coast guard can be contacted on (02) 6646 6311 or VMR 257. For emergencies contact 27.880 MHZ or VHF Ch 16.
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