Iron Pot Creek Campground and Toonumbar Forest Drive, Toonumbar National Park, NSW.

Iron Pot Creek Campground, central area.

We drove to Iron Pot Creek Campground from Peacock Creek Campground via Toonumbar Dam. Our Hema map lists these roads as simply unsealed however, after turning north into Iron Pot Road from Peacock Road it wasn't long before the road became more of a medium 4WD track. There appeared to be substantial water damage that had dug deep channels in places and displaced large rocks. There is only the one difficult section and the road gradually improved after that. It was not a problem with our trusty BT-50 but sections of the road are not suitable for cars at the moment (May 2019).

We had morning tea at Toonumbar Dam and a quick chat to a couple of guys touring on their motorbikes. The boat ramp looks like it requires good reversing skills as it is long and narrow. There is a campground on the dam at Bells Bay which is usually open only on the weekend but the website states that it hasn't been open for some time so we didn't go and have a look.

Toonumbar Dam

Toonumbar Dam Boat Ramp.

Iron Pot Creek Campground is very shady and has an isolated feel. There is a central camping area and individual sites around the outer edge. We set up in the outer edge in a site with lots of native ginger. One other camper turned up and set up in the site next to us. Why oh why? I guess there are many reasons and in this case we got talking to the guy and he was in his late seventies so perhaps he just felt safer. The next night that guy left but a couple turned up. Guess what, they set up in the site next to us. This time we are pretty sure it was because they had a camper trailer. The campground is listed as suitable for tents and camper trailers but the reality is that there are so many bollards in the campground that there is really only a couple of places they can squeeze into the car parks. 

Our campsite at Iron Pot Creek.

This is a very out of the way campground and it is winter so we thought we might have a quiet time but a funny thing happened. We thought we had heard it all over the years: doof doof, race calls, country and western music etc, but no, in a first for us the campers next to us were playing the recorder. Yes, that's right, the bug bear of many a school child, the recorder. By the light of the campfire, strains of "Greensleeves" being played by an adult permeated the night, over and over LOL.

Individual campsite behind bollards at Iron Pot Creek

There is a short walk from the campground to the picnic area but it is no longer a circuit walk. The ranger described the walk to us as "unmaintained". We loved exploring the walk anyway as it gives access to the creek where Azure Kingfishers hang out.

Azure Kingfisher, Iron Pot Creek.

The picnic area has direct access to the creek and good facilities so is just perfect for a day trip.

Iron Pot Creek Picnic Area

Iron Pot Creek at the Picnic Area.

Murray Scrub Walk, 5.5 km return, Moderate Grade:
The trail-head for the Murray Scrub Walk and Red Cedar Loop is accessed from a car park two kilometers from the campground. We have walked in a lot of forests over the years but this World Heritage listed forest is very special. Walking amongst the giant Red Cedars is definitely a highlight and a worthwhile destination for anyone who loves trees. 

Red Cedar and Bangalow Palms.

Red Cedars reaching to the sky.

After packing up, we drove north to the Summerland Way via Murray Scrub Road, Toonumbar Forest Drive and Cox's Road. We asked the ranger about the road and he said the biggest problem with it is that it sometimes has trees down. However, he was going out that way and he kindly said that if he couldn't get through he would return and let us know. As he didn't return we decided to give Toonumbar Forest Drive a go. We woke to a very windy and cold westerly and although we didn't encounter any large trees down we did have to stop constantly to remove smaller debris.

Toonumbar Forest Drive.

We stopped at Murray Scrub Lookout briefly as the biting cold wind made sitting in the ute more appealing.

Murray Scrub Lookout.

Before turning into Cox's Road we drove the extra 1.8 km to Sherwood Lookout and Picnic Area. This road was narrower and it didn't look like many people had driven in lately. The view is quite stunning out over the New South Wales - Queensland border and the distinctive wedding cake tiers of Mount Lindesay.

Sherwood Lookout.

Cox's Road emerges from the national park into attractive rural countryside with great views of Mt Lindesay before joining up with the Summerland Way.

Cox's Road.

We crossed into Queensland and Mt Lindesay Road and drove towards Mount Barney National Park.

Mount Barney.

Details for Iron Pot Creek Campground:
Where: Toonumbar National Park, NSW. 40 km west of Kyogle via Afterlee Road and Murray Scrub Road. For details from Peacock Creek Campground and Toonumbar Dam please read the blog above.
Access: 2WD unsealed roads, dry weather only. Not suitable for big rigs.
Booking & Fees: No bookings. $6 per adult, $3.50 per child. Place correct money in envelope and pay at information board.
Sites:15 unmarked sites. All sites are behind bollards but a couple have parking spaces just large enough for a camper trailer. Listed as suitable for tents and camper trailers but the design of the campgrounds means there is limited space for camper trailers. Fine for roof top tents. Not suitable for caravans or big rigs.
Facilities: Most sites have a table. There is a camp shelter with a table and wood barbecue. BYO wood. Non-flush toilets.
Prohibitions: No pets. No gathering firewood. No smoking. No insect repellent or sunscreen to be worn in the creek.
Contact: Kyogle Office 02 6632 0000 for general information Mon - Fri 8.30 to 4.30

Wildlife List: Red-necked Pademelon, Swamp Wallaby. Birds: Satin Bowerbird, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pied Currawong, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Grey Fantail, Brown Gerygone, Lewin's Honeyeater, Azure Kingfisher, Logrunner, Bell Miner, Australian King-Parrot, Eastern Yellow Robin, Crimson Rosella, White-browed Scrubwren, Welcome Swallow, Brown Thornbill, White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Whipbird, Golden Whistler. Heard: Green Catbird, Common Koel, Laughing Kookaburra. Saw quite a few quail platelets.