Pebbly Beach Camp Ground
Right on the door steps of Coffs Harbour in the mid-northern coast of NSW lies an amazing yet little known National Park called Yuraygir (Yur-ay-gee). The national park is a 4wd wonderland of bush and beach that takes days to explore. It really has to be seen to be believed.
The best camp spot in the park has to be Pebbly Beach. There is no second thoughts about this place, it really is stunning. Beware though, there is a creek crossing that MUST be taken on low tide in order to access the camp ground. This leaves campers stranded on the beach until low tide with nothing to do but fish, swim and enjoy paradise!
With a huge camp ground and over 60 individual camp sites, this place gets busy at peak times and you'll be lucky to get a spot. Make sure you ring ahead of time with the National Parks service at Grafton to find out if there's a spot available for you.
The campsite is run by a national parks contractor who is paid on commission. There is no drinking water and only one pit toilet area so make sure you bring your own supplies along with you. The camp contractor may run an ice and bread service depending on the time of year you are there.
With plenty of room for camper trailers, the camp site has views of the ocean from the awning of your truck. Imagine a hidden cove on an island in the pacific region. Now think Pebbly Beach. If you're lucky enough to have this place to yourself, you're in paradise. With only a couple of kilometers in length the beach can be easily walked from one end to the other and large sections of the beach are littered with small stones and rounded pebbles.
The headlands are worth exploring, with great fishing and a decent bushwalk offering excellent coastal views. Rock Cod and Jew can be caught off the rocks on the southern end. Crabbing can also be undertaken at Station Creek, only a short drive from Pebbly Beach where mud crab can be found under the tree root in the creek. Make sure you've got a NSW fishing license and be sure to talk to the camp contractor about the best fishing and crabbing spots. Parts of Station Creek are protected and no fishing is allowed.
Campfires are allowed at Pebbly Beach with a huge supply of free firewood available at the entrance to the national park.
