Paperbark Campground, Lake Arragan, Yuraygir National Park, NSW.

Site with direct access to Lake Arragan.

While camped at Lake Arragan Campground we noticed that there is a nearby campground called Paperbark Campground which is right on the lake. The turn off to this campground is on Lake Arragan Road but it is not sign-posted and the last time we were camped at Lake Arragan we didn't notice that Paperbark Campground was there.

The turn off to Paperbark Campground.

Unfortunately, I took photos of the campground on a wet day so the photos are very dreary. However, there are several campsites positioned with direct access to Lake Arragan and these would be ideal for kayaking. As the name implies, the campground is set in a paperbark forest so I would expect that there could be a fair few mosquitoes at dawn and dusk but we didn't notice any while wandering around. The facilities are limited in the campground to a few tables and fire pits and the closest toilets are at Lake Arragan Campground.

Paperbark Campground.

Views across Lake Arragan to the entrance onto Plumbago Beach.

Fishing and camping information at Paperbark Campground.

We saw quite a few Superb Fairy-wrens in eclipse plumage. 

Superb Fairy-wren.

Details for Paperbark Campground:
Where: Between Ballina and Grafton. 290 km, 3.5 hours, south of Brisbane. 142 km, 1 hour 45 minutes, north of Coffs Harbour. Leave the M1 to take Brooms Head Road. Before Brooms Head, turn left into Lake Arragan Road. The entry road into Paperbark Campground is off Lake Arragan Road, on the left hand side, about 300 meters before Lake Arragan Picnic Area. The turn off is unmarked.
Access: Lake Arragan Road is a wide unsealed road that was in good condition when we visited in 2018 but had some corrugations when we visited in March 2019. The entry road and road in the campground itself is in poor condition and is signposted as not suitable for caravans.
Fees & Booking: No bookings. Vehicle entry fee: $8 or buy an annual pass. Camping Fees: During NSW and QLD school holidays and long weekends there is a minimum site fee of $24 for 1 or 2 adults. At other times it is $12 per adult, $6 per child from 5 to 15 years. Fees are collected by campground managers. Take correct cash.
Sites: This is a surprisingly large area with two main sections. Suitable for tents, camping beside your vehicle, camper trailers.
Facilities: A few picnic tables, some fire pits. No toilets; the non-flush toilets in Lake Arragan Campground are the closest. There is no water in the campground but there is a drinking water tap near the main entrance sign on the way in. Some sites have direct access to Lake Arragan suitable for kayaks.
Prohibited: no pets, no smoking.
Caution: mosquitoes.