The Channon Village Campground, The Channon, New South Wales.

From Rummery Park Campground we moved 21 km south west to The Channon Village Campground. 

The Channon Village Campground is essentially in the long front yard of a small farm with room to camp on either side of the driveway, however, this description does not do the place justice. The owners, Huge and Nan are very friendly and informative hosts. The facilities are clean and there are a few nice touches like a herb garden and recycling bins. As soon as we set up, we were warmly welcomed and we started to relax in the scenic rural surroundings. We enjoyed the campground so much that we ended up staying an extra night. 

We found the campground to be conveniently located. We did day trips to the Protester Falls and Mt Nardi sections of Nightcap National Park, as well as to Nimbin and Byron Bay. I will cover these excursions in future blogs. 

For market and craft lovers, it's worth noting that The Channon Craft Market is held next to the campground, on the second Sunday of the month.

Koalas were a highlight of our stay. We saw at least one everyday and on one of the days we saw two koalas; a smaller brown one near our van and a larger grey one across the road. These koalas looked healthy and were the most active we have ever seen; constantly moving around from one mahogany gum tree to another and climbing up and down ordinary pine trees. 

On dusk we could see a few Micro Bats flying about. One night we heard the pitter-patter of something dropping out of the tree next to our van and when we shone the torch into the canopy we could see three Sugar Gliders moving around. Nan told us they also had Feather Gliders nesting in the campground.

There is plenty of birdlife around the campground. Satin Bowerbirds were feasting on the fleshy orange arils of a  Maiden's Blush tree near our van and White-headed Pigeons flew in every afternoon. 

Fleshy arils of the Maiden's Blush tree, Sloanea australis 

Eastern Rosella, Pied Butcherbird, Wonga Pigeon and White-headed Pigeon.

I noticed the distinctive coppery head of a Wall Skink poking out of the gate post capping and waited for it to emerge. This skink had a double tip on it's tail. Skinks have the ability to regrow a lost tail and sometimes they regrow a tail from a wound as well; resulting in multiple tails.

Wall Skink, Cryptoblepharus virgatus

The Channon
From the campground we walked along the Channon Environment Walk to The Channon. In the village we found The Channon Tavern, Contemporary Art Gallery, General Store and Community Hall.

All around The Channon and Nimbin area, pot holes in the roads have been highlighted with spray paint. We quickly gave them the name "hippy potholes".

Wildlife List:
Sugar Gliders, Koalas, Wall Skinks, micro bats.
Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail, Evening Brown, Blue Triangle.
Birdlist: White-faced Heron, White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Crested Pigeon, Wonga Pigeon, Galah, Australian King Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-browed Scrubwren, Noisy Miner, Australasian Figbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong,Torresian Crow, Masked Lapwing.

Details for The Channon Village Campground.
Where: 18 km north of Lismore. 18-23 km south of Nimbin depending on route.
Address: 391 The Channon Road, The Channon, New South Wales, 2480
Types of Camping: tents, camper trailers, motorhomes, caravans
Camping Fees: $10 per adult per night, I believe children under 12 are free but please confirm this as I didn't think to check with the owners.
Bookings: It is usually ok to just turn up but if you wish to ensure a spot at busy times then you can phone 0428 886 335.
Facilities: Flushing toilets, cold showers, bins, laundry tub, town water. We had no problem getting Telstra phone and internet reception but this seems to vary for some people. I believe there is also TV reception. There are some constructed fire places. Pets are allowed on request but dogs must be on leash at all times because of the wildlife. (Koalas literally walk around the campground.) No dump point.
Of Interest: The Channon Craft Market held next door on the second Sunday of the month.