Diamond Head Campground, Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW.

Diamond Head Campground, Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW. Under threat from a bushfire.

Diamond Head Campground has designated sites, great amenities and a staffed national parks office. This large campground has more of a caravan park feel than the open plan Kylies Beach Campground nearby but we were content with our site close to the amenities and the beach.

Our campsite looking towards the amenities and the beach.

Our campsite as seen from the barbecue area.

There is also a walk-in campground at Diamond Head that was completely deserted while we were there; well except for the kangaroos. 

Diamond Head Walk-in Campground.

The beach in front of the campground is ideal for water activities most of the year; bearing in mind that there is no patrolled area. It is perfect for long walks and exploring the split rock in the headland. 4WD access to the beach is allowed but a permit is required. A couple of enjoyable walks start at the campground and I will cover them in a separate blog.

Beach access at Diamond Head Campground. Looking north. The small fire in the background that spread a couple of days later.

Beach in front of Diamond Head Campground. Looking east.

       The campground has a peaceful, laid back feel and there is plenty of wildlife.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

Lace Monitor.

Crested Pigeons.

Laughing Kookaburra.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet.

The last day of August didn't begin well. The ute wouldn't start so we called the NRMA. We told them the battery seemed to have completely had it so they picked a new one up from Wauchope before driving all the way out to the campground. Testing confirmed that the battery was history and within no time the new one was installed and we were on our way. This was the first time we have used our roadside assistance and it was definitely worth the annual fee.

NRMA diagnosing the status of our battery.

We had a delicious lunch at Laurieton Seafoods and returned to the campground. There had been a small fire burning north of the campground for several days next to Watson Taylors Lake. We noticed on our return drive that the fire had grown and smoke was billowing over Diamond Head Road. A national parks ranger came to our tent and told us that the campground had been put on a one hour "wait and watch" by the fire brigade.  She explained that this meant we would be given one hour to evacuate if the situation deteriorated. From the sound of it, no one really thought the fire was that much of a threat because historically no fire had ever crossed the road and no fire had ever come near the campground.

I decided to walk up the headland a little way to get a better look at the fire. I could see that the fire had grown considerably but what really concerned me was that I could see a trail of spot fires forming. I made my way back down to the campground, stopping briefly to see the fire from the beach.

The fire as seen from the headland above the campground.

Spot fires were spreading the fire.

The fire as seen from the beach.

I got back to our campsite and the ranger came back to tell us that they had just been informed by the fire brigade that the fire had crossed the road and was fast approaching the campground. People were advised to pull in their awnings because the fire brigade expected that flying embers would set fire to them. We were no longer permitted to leave and were directed to evacuate on foot to the beach immediately. Everyone moved their vehicles to the other side of the campground so that there was a large fire break and we all went down to the beach.

Grabbing our backpacks before evacuating to the beach.

Two helicopters were working the fire and they were soon joined by a float plane that did a few low passes over the campground. By this time we had packed our camera gear and valuables in our back packs so I didn't take any more photos. We all went down to the beach which was now covered in far more smoke than previously. We felt safe down the beach but I think we all thought that there was a good chance that the campground and all the rigs would be lost. 

Air support.

Right about the time that we thought all hope of containing the fire was lost the strangest thing happened. The heavens opened up and it poured with rain. It only poured for about fifteen minutes but the rain managed to completely put the fire out. A few of us took shelter in the barbecue area while we waited for the all clear from the fire brigade. That turned into a "happy hour" I don't think I'll forget any time soon.

Waiting for the all clear from the fire brigade. Our backpacks were safely tucked away in the green garbage bags.

Smoke lingering over the campground.

After a smoky nights sleep we woke to hear that the road to Laurieton was open but would close shortly so that the fire brigade could do a back-burn from the campground. We quickly packed the tent and left. 

Lessons learned: if a fire looks even remotely like it may be a problem, it is probably a good idea to leave.

Special thanks to the national park staff who stayed after hours and remained calm throughout. A big thank you to the fire brigade and the helicopter and float plane pilots who fought hard in trying circumstances.

Details for Diamond Head Campground:
Where: Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW. 49 km, 45 minutes, south of Port Macquarie via the highway. 348 km, 4 hours, north of the Sydney Bridge. Leave the highway at Ocean Drive near Kew, through Laurieton and Dunbogan. Dunbogan Head Road becomes Diamond Head Road on entering the national park. About 7 km of unsealed road.
Access: The 2WD, all weather, unsealed road was in good condition when we were there in August 2018. 
Bookings & Fees: Check in 12 pm. Check out 11 am. Check in at onsite office on arrival. Minimum fee of $24 for 1 or 2 people, $12 additional adult, $6 additional child, free for children 0-4 years old. There is a daily vehicle fee for park entry of $8 or buy an annual pass. 
Sites: 75 numbered and defined sites. There are sites for tents, camping beside vehicles, camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes. 
Facilities: Amenities block with cold showers and flush toilets. There are picnic tables and gas barbecues near the amenities block. Non-drinking water. Dump Point. Industrial rubbish bins. Information. Walks. Staffed rangers office. Fires permitted in off-the ground braziers only. We had Telstra phone reception. Out door showers at the beach. 4WD access to the beach with a permit from the Port Macqaurie-Hastings Council, arrange before arrival.
Prohibitions: No fires on the ground. No gathering fire wood. No Pets. No smoking.
Contact: Port Macquarie National Parks Office 02 6588 5555, enquiries only, not for bookings.

Wildlife in Crowdy Bay National Park, August 2018: Lace Monitor, Eastern Gray Kangaroo, Grey Flying Fox.
Birds: Whistling Kite, Pied Butcherbird, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Pied Cormorant, Darter, Superb Fairy-wren, Grey Fantail, Red-browed Finch, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian Magpie, Masked Lapwing, Noisy Miner, Crested Pigeon, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Eastern Spinebill, Welcome Swallow, Sooty Oystercatcher, Red Wattlebird, Little Wattlebird, Golden Whistler, Willie Wagtail.