Trial Bay Gaol Campground, Arakoon National Park, NSW.

Trial Bay Gaol in the morning light.

Trial Bay Gaol Campground is a bit more expensive than the average national park campground but I have often read that it is a favourite campground for many people so we had to go and check it out. We timed our visit for the end of winter and were able to utilize a Pay 2 Nights Stay for 3 Deal. The deal only covers certain sites and doesn't include the beach front but we were happy with our site which was central to the camp kitchen, gaol and the walks. All the other sites on the row we chose were booked out so we got quite a surprise when we arrived to discover that we were the only ones camping along that strip. My guess is that these sites were being given the chance to recuperate during the quiet season. The road in front of our tent was surprisingly busy so it would be a good idea to choose another area if you have young children. One amusing thing about our site was that it was adjacent to a speed hump and all the passing traffic had to slow down in front of our tent and give us a wave.  

Our campsite, site 35.

A lot of Eastern Grey Kangeroos graze in the campground. Every night a kangaroo would lay down and sleep under our awning and during the day it would hang about grazing peacefully. 

The eastern grey kangaroo that liked to graze around our campsite.

There are several distinct camping areas in the campground; from walk-in tent sites right through to sites with power and water. 

Front Beach campsites.

Campsites with power and water.

The overflow campground is also on the waterfront.

It turned out handy that we weren't too far from the camp kitchen because it rained most of the time we were at Trial Bay Gaol and we spent one whole morning in the camp kitchen reading and sorting our photos when it got too wet to walk around. Nearly everyone else was camping in RV's so the camp kitchen was not busy.

The main amenities block and camp kitchen are only accessible by pin code.

The camp kitchen.

Of course, the morning we were leaving we woke to a beautiful fine day and I was able to get a photo of the goal with the rising sun throwing a golden glow over the stonework.

Humpback whales were migrating south when we were there and it is easy to see them from the gaol car park and the foreshore near the overflow campground. Some of the whales came quite close to shore but I found it quite a challenge to get photos of them as they would dissapear no sooner than they appeared and it is a guessing game as to where they will appear again.

Humpback whale.

Besides whale watching there is plenty to do at Trial Bay Gaol Campground. Visiting the gaol (fees apply), walks, fishing and I'm sure swiming would be popular in the warmer months. 

Front Beach and Trial Bay are right in front of the campground.

Small craft boat ramp.

Main boat ramp.

We were lucky that there was a sculpture exhibit in the gaol during our stay as I am a bit of a sculpture fan. 

 "Rhythm Hunters" by Kat Atkins. Sculpture in the Gaol is an annual event in August.

I will cover the gaol, and the walks we did, in more detail in the next blog.


Details for Trial Bay Gaol Campground:
Where: Arakoon National Park. Mid North Coast NSW. 105 km, 1h 15 min, south of Coffs Harbour or 85 km, 1hr 5min, north of Port Macquarie.
Access: 2WD, sealed roads.
Booking & Fees: Ph 13000 72757. Best to go online and put in the type of site and the prefered area with the dates as the prices vary depending on season and location. Prices range from $31 to $61.50 for 1 - 2 people per night. Can book on arrival if a quiet time but gets booked out peak times. We stayed in winter when there is usually a 3 nights for the price of 2 deal; only applies to a limited number of sites, not beachfront. Minimum rate is for 2 people. There is no vehicle entry fee. 
Entry to Trial Bay Gaol: not included in the camping fee. 9am - 4.30pm daily, closed Chrismas Day. Adults $11, concession $8, 2 adults and 2 children $30.
Sites: Numbered sites designated for specific camping types. Suitable for tents, camping beside your vehicle, camper trailers, motorhomes, caravans. Limited for big rigs. There is a section with power and water. Check in after 2pm, check out before 12, late fee applies. Beach front sites near boat ramp can be disturbed by early morning fishing noise; especially January to April.
Facilities: 4 toilet blocks; one with pin code entry, flush toilets and hot showers. Aditional cold showers. Some amenities blocks have power points. Pin code entry to camp kitchen with 2 tables, microwave, hot plate, cook top, fridge/freezer, sink with hot and cold water (no cooking utensils). There are no BBQs in the campground only on the foreshore. Laundry with pin code entry and coin operated machines. Drinking water at the powered sites. Some picnic tables. Walks. Phone reception. Boat ramp. Garbage station. Dump Point, key required. Historical area. Kiosk/restaurant towards the back of the park. Fishing with recreational licence allowed. Some wheelchair accessible facilities.
Prohibited: No fires. No solid fuel burners. No pets. No generators. No smoking. Do not feed wildlife. No amplified music. No anti-social behaviour. Keep noise to a minimum and no noise after 10pm. No ropes or equipment to be attached to trees. No recharging car batteries at amenities power points.
Note: Must check into the Visitor Information Centre at the front of the gaol, 9am - 4.30pm daily, before setting up camp and you will be given a pin code to the facilities. If arriving afterhours, phone first 02 6566 6168.

Wildlife: Eastern Gray Kangaroo. Humpback Whales. Birds: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Osprey, Pied Butcherbird, Galah, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Currawong, Australasian Gannet, Australian Wood Duck, Australasian Figbird, Straw-necked Ibis, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian Magpie, Masked Lapwing, Pied Oystercatcher, Striated Pardalote, Crested Pigeon, Silver Gulls, Crested Tern, Red Watlebird, Little Wattlebird, Willie Wagtail. Heard: Pheasant Coucal.

Walks, Wildlife and Flora in Bundjalung National Park, NSW.

Ten Mile Beach, Bundjalung National Park, NSW.

While camping at Bundjalung National Park we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful walks and wildlife.

Jerusalem Creek Walk: 8 km return from Booroora Picnic Area, Grade 3.
Emu Loop 2 km, Grade 3.

The Booroora Picnic Area is at the northern end of Black Rocks Campground. There is a car park, an information board, toilets, sheltered tables and gas barbeques at the picnic area. The Emu Loop is a shorter loop of 2 km but we chose to do the Jerusalem Creek walk and add the unwalked section of the Emu Loop on our return. 

Jerusalem Creek Walk

Junction of the Emu Loop  and Jerusalem Creek Walk.

Jerusalem Creek

The track is an easy sandy trail suitable for the whole family. The track follows Jerusalem Creek until it emerges into the ocean. We met a local who told us that he often sees echidnas on the dunes. While we didn't see any echidnas we did see swamp wallabies and quite a variety of birds. 

There are several side tracts over the dunes that overlook Ten Mile Beach. Each stretch of beach has views of interesting black rock formations.

Ten Mile Beach

Black Rocks at Ten Mile Beach

Birds on the Jerusalem Creek Walk: Spangled Drongo, Brown Honeyeaters, Scarlet Honeyeater, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Grey Butcherbird, Yellow-faced honeyeater, Silvereye.

White-faced Heron

Osprey, Brahminy Kite and Black-shouldered Kite.

Black Rocks, Ten Mile Beach.

Pied Oystercatcher, Jerusalem Creek.

Black Jezebel Butterfly

Swamp Wallaby

Sundews.

Native Iris.

Jerusalem Creek

Kayak Pontoon, Jerusalem Creek.

Mibanban Trail

The entry to the trail is opposite the Dump Point at the entry to the campground. We walked the trail at midday as I was hoping to see some reptiles but although we didn't see any reptiles we did see more swamp wallabies and plenty of bird life. As it was spring the trail was covered in wildflowers.

Mibanban Trail

Wildflowers on the Mibanban Trail

Swamp Wallaby

Birds on the Mibanban Trail: White-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Rainbow Bee-eater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Grey Shrike-thrush, Brown Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird, Australian Brush Turkey, Pied Currawong.

Brown Quail

Brown Quail

Wildlife List: Swamp Wallaby, Red-necked Wallaby, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Lace Monitor, Grey Flying Fox. Butterflies: Black Jezebel, Brown Ringlet. Birds: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Brahminy KIte, Eastern Osprey, Australian Brush Turkey, Grey Butcherbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Little Pied Cormorant, Beach Stone-curlew, Pied Currawong, Bar-shouldered Dove, Spangled Drongo, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Noisy Friarbird, White-faced Heron, Lewin's Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Rainbow Bee-eater, Sacred Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Masked Lapwing, Fairy Martin, Pied Oystercatcher, Australasian Gannet, Crested Tern, Silvereye, Brown Quail, Red Wattlebird, Little Wattlebird, Eastern Whipbird, Willie Wagtail.

Black Rocks Campground, Bundjalung National Park, NSW.

Black Rocks Campground, Bundjalung National Park.

Black Rocks Campground is on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. It is a large campground with numbered sites that need to be booked before arrival. Each site is designated for either tents, tents and camper trailers or caravans and motorhomes. A helpful map of the campground can be found online. 

Tent campsite No 34.

Caravan/Motorhome campsite No 10.

The campground is nicely situated between Ten Mile Beach and Jerusalem Creek. However, it is no longer possible to access the beach from the campground by 4WD as the beach access has been closed off due to severe erosion.

4WD access to the beach is closed off.

Erosion on Ten Mile Beach, looking south.

Ten Mile Beach, looking north.

There are three day use areas spread throughout the campground that have non-flush toilets, electric/gas barbecues and picnic tables. There are a number of WWII concrete structures in the campground and on the nearby walks.

A Day Use Area with a WWII structure.

Sight unseen, we choose a secluded campsite and were very pleased with our choice. As well as having tables and fire pits at each site, all the sites have washing lines which is a handy feature we haven't come across before.

Our campsite at Black Rocks Campground.

The sites are surrounded by coastal bush and every afternoon Red-necked Wallabies would come in to graze. White-cheeked Honeyeaters and an Eastern Yellow Robin were frequent visitors.

Red-necked Wallabies in our campsite.

Eastern Yellow Robin

There is even a dump point at Black Rocks but as there is no water it is neccessary to bring your own.

Dump Point at the entry to Black Rocks Campground.

There is a paddle trail along beautiful Jerusalem Creek: 4.6 km one way, medium grade. The lauching area and pontoon is close to the campground.

Kayak launching platform on Jerusalem Creek.

Jerusalem Creek, Bundjalung National Park.

The Jerusalem Creek Walk is a 10.3 km loop walk; Grade 3. We enjoyed this walk so much that I will post a separate blog about it. There are two campsites along Jerusalem Creek that can be reached by walking or paddling and can also be booked online.

Site 50 and 51 are walk in, or paddle to, campsites. 

Details for Black Rocks Campground:
Where: Bundjalung National Park. Between Evans Head and Yamba. Note: Google Maps gives incorrect directions to the campground. From the Pacific Highway the turn into Tuckombil Road is 2km south of the southern end of the town of Woodburn. Follow Tuckombil Road south for 1.8km, then turn left onto The Gap Road. The campground is 20km south along The Gap Road.
Access: The Gap Road is an all weather, unsealed road suitable for 2WD vehicles.

Facilities: Each campsite has a table, washing line and fire rings with hotplates (BYO firewood). Non-flush toilets, free gas/electric barbecues and picnic tables. Walks. Canoe launching pontoon. Dump Ezy Dump Point (no water). No bins, no water.

Sites: 51 marked unpowered sites. Designated sites sign posted for different camping types. Suitable for tents, camping beside vehicle, camper trailers and caravans. There are two walk in or paddle to campsites on Jerusalem Creek. Choose the specific site number when booking on line. 

Rates and Fees: $24 per night (for 1 or 2 people). Additional adult $12, child (5-15yrs) $6, infants (0-4yrs) free. Vehicle Entry: $8 per vehicle per day or annual pass.

Booking: ph 13000 72757 or book online.

Prohibited: Pets, smoking, amplified music, gathering firewood. No glass in watercraft or the Jerusalem Creek campsites.  No spearguns in the campground. No spearfishing.

Activities: Fishing is allowed with a NSW recreational fishing licence.  Boating: non-powered craft or silent electric motors only allowed on Jerusalem Creek. No 4WD beach access from Black Rocks campground due to erosion. Vehicles may still drive along Ten Mile Beach north from the Shark Bay 4WD beach access, but cannot exit at Black Rocks. No 4WD access north of Black Rocks campground.

Note: The Department of Defence has a training area within Bundjalung National Park north of Black Rocks campground. Noisy aircraft may fly over the campground from time to time.

Caution: 1080 fox control baiting program.