Korogoro Walking Track, Hat Head National Park, NSW.

Views along the Korogoro Walking Track.

After leaving Trial Bay Gaol Campground in Arakoon National Park we drove to Hat Head to do the Korogoro Walking Track. We drove past Hat Head Holiday Park, turned right off Reserve Road and parked next to a picnic shelter beside Korogoro Creek. 

Picnic shelter along Korogoro Creek.

After a refreshing cup of tea, we crossed Korogoro Creek via a footbridge to the Korogoro Walking Track trail-head. This trail-head can also we accessed from The Gap car park off Gap Street. No pets are allowed on the walk.

Korogoro Creek Footbridge.

We decided to do the walk clockwise. Straight away we were rewarded with sightings of a Pacific Bazza and some Eastern Yellow Robins along the track.

Pacific Bazza

The Korogoro Walking Track is a Grade 4, 3.2 loop walk around a coastal headland in Hat Head National Park.

Korogoro Walking Track

Spangled Drongo

We walked above barren rocky shelves that dropped dramatically to the ocean below. Part way along the track we came to a sign that stated "Track maintained to a lower standard beyond this point. Recommended for experienced bushwalkers". After the sign, we found ourselves gingerly crossing over the steep face of one of the rock slopes so it seems the sign should not be dismissed lightly.

Korogoro Walking Track

As we walked along the coastal edge we had great views of dolphins swimming past below us.

Dolphins seen from the Korogoro Walking Track.

We arrived above a secluded bay where the track turns right to continue the loop or go straight ahead to Korogoro Point. We choose the detour to Korogoro Point and planned to continue the loop walk on our return.

Bay before continuing on to Korogoro Point.

We soon went past this dramatic split in the rocks with glimpses of the ocean on the other side.

Split in the rocks along Korogoro Point.

We continued until we could go no further and perched behind a couple of large boulders for some time as we watched a pod of five Humpback Whales round the point.

Korogoro Point.

Pod of Humpback Whales seen from Korogoro Point.

When we returned to the bay area, where the track turned to continue the loop walk, the weather took a turn for the worse. It was raining and we could barely stand against the wind which was coming from the south so we decided it would be prudent to return the way we had come. 

We thoroughly enjoyed this walk and will definitely come back one day to complete the loop.

Our Ten Favourite Campgrounds of 2018.

Smallys Beach Campground.

1. Smalleys Beach Camping Area, Cape Hillsborough National Park, QLD:

Smallys Beach 

Smalleys Beach Camping Area has secluded campsites with direct beach access and is only a few kilometers away from great walks at Cape Hillsborough. There are only 11 numbered sites so book early online before you arrive.


2. Lemon Tree Flat Campground, Kwiamble National Park, NSW:

Lemon Tree Flat Campground

Lemon Tree Flat is a classic national park campground. There are plenty of things to do at Kwiamble National Park: from simply relaxing by the Severn River, taking The Junction Walk which leaves from the campground, going for a plunge at Macintyre Falls or experiencing history via a self-guided walk through the Limestone Caves.

Severn River at Lemon Tree Flat Campground.

3. Burrum Point Camping Area, Burrum Coast National Park, QLD:

Burrum Point Campground.

Burrum Point Camping Area is a coastal getaway near Woodgate. You will need a high clearance 4WD to access the campground and to do a spot of beach fishing. There is a great walk directly from the campground.

Beach in front of Burrum Point Campground.

4. Illaroo South Campground, Yuraygir National Park, NSW:

Campsite at Illaroo South Campground.

We stayed at Illaroo South Campground but Illaroo North is just as beautiful. Right on an open surf beach this well laid out campground is very relaxing.

Beach in front of Illaroo South Campground.

5. Black Rocks Campground, Bundjalung National Park, NSW: 

Black Rocks Campground.

Black Rocks is a large coastal campground with distinctive exposed coffee rocks along Ten Mile Beach. We particularly enjoyed the Jerusalem Creek Walk.

Beach in front of Black Rocks Campground.

6. Trial Bay Gaol Campground, Arakoon National Park, NSW:

Front Beach camping at Trial Bay Gaol Campground.

Trial Bay Gaol Campground has more facilities than most national park campgrounds and has a price tag to match but it was nice to spoil ourselves with hot showers and a key coded camp kitchen. We enjoyed visiting the gaol, whale watching and the Monument Hill walks.

Trial Bay Gaol.

7. Diamond Head Campground, Crowdy Bay National Park, NSW:

Diamond Head Campground, Crowdy Bay National Park.

Despite being evacuated from a bush fire while camping in Diamond Head Campground we still rate this campground in the top 10 for the year. This campground is a little bit like a caravan park in layout so if bush camping is more your thing, the Kylies Beach Campground is a good alternative.

Beach in front of Diamond Head Campground.

8. Thungutti Campground, New England National Park, NSW:

Campsite at Thungutti Campground.

Thungutti Campground is a tent only campground but there is an alternative just down the road at the free Little Styx River Camping Area for caravans and motorhomes. New England National Park has stunning lookouts, great walks and plenty of wildlife.

Camp Kitchen at Thungutti Campground.

9. Dangars Gorge Campground, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, NSW:

Dangars Gorge Campground.

Dangars Gorge Campground has everything you would expect in a national park campground and it's free! We loved the wood barbecues, camp kitchen, the waterfalls and all the walks.

Kitchen shelter at Dangars Gorge.

10. Blackmans Campground, Warrumbungle National Park, NSW:

Camp Blackman, Warrumbungle National Park.

We stayed in the tent section of Blackmans Camp in Warrumbungle National Park. We were surprised to find hot showers and flush toilets in a campground located in country New South Wales off the Newell Highway. Another campground with great walks and abundant wildlife.

Emus at Camp Blackman.

Old Favourites Revisited:

1. Bald Rock Campground, Bald Rock National Park, NSW: 

Campsite at Bald Rock National Park

We love climbing Bald Rock and always try to find time to camp at Bald Rock Campground whenever we can. We managed to camp there twice this year.


2. Charlie Moreland Campground, Imbil State Forest, QLD:

Charlie Moreland Camping Area.

Charlie Moreland Campground, is close to our home on the Sunshine Coast and we never tire of camping there. We love the birdlife, Little Yabba Creek and the walks. I think we have camped there three times this year.


3. Booloumba Creek Camping Area 3, Conondale National Park, QLD.

Booloumba Creek Campground Area 3.

Camping right beside Booloumba Creek in our tent is one of our all time favourite camping experiences. We do it every year without fail. A high clearance 4WD is advised for this campground due to creek crossings.


Non-national park campgrounds we enjoyed:
Occasionally we camp outside national parks and this year we stayed at three great non-national park campgrounds.

1. Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat, Cania Gorge, Monto, QLD:

Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat.

We have camped here several times over the years and this year was no exception.  Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat has all the facilities of a normal caravan park but it also has a large grassy unpowered camping area which suits us just fine. It is right on the border of Cania Gorge National Park and has its own access to many of the walking tracks.

2. Flat Rock Tent Park, East Ballina, NSW:

Flat Rock Tent Park.

We made a couple of trips to Ballina this year to visit Ballina Campervans, Motorhomes & Caravans Centre to look at the Horizon Motorhome range. We chose Flat Rock Tent Park to stay both times and as we really enjoy the great facilities, the surfing and kite surfing in front of the campground and birding at Flat Rock.

3. Cranky Rock Nature Reserve, Warialda, NSW:

Cranky Rock Nature Reserve Campground.

On our way to the Pilliga region we camped overnight at Cranky Rock Nature Reserve. We loved exploring the rocks at Cranky Rock and getting close to an emu on our walks.

South West Rocks, NSW.

South West Rocks. Beautiful even under a leaden sky.

South West Rocks is an idyllic coastal town with a population of about five and a half thousand people. Situated just a ten minute drive from Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon National Park and the Smoky Cape section of Hat Head National Park it has plenty to offer as a holiday destination. For scuba divers, the local Fish Rock Cave dive site is highly rated.

Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park, South West Rocks.

Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park has a stunning location adjacent to Point Briner and Horseshoe Bay. There is an elevated walk in front of the holiday park.

Elevated walkway, South West Rocks.

Looking from the holiday park, south over Horseshoe Bay towards Monument Hill.

Monument Hill is on the other side of Horseshoe Bay and is a great spot for a picnic. 

Monument Hill

On Monument Hill, I enjoyed sitting in a magnificent seat in the shape of a ships stern and looking south over Trial Bay to Trial Bay Gaol.

Trial Bay, with Trial Bay Gaol in the distance.

When people are not fishing on the rocky outcrop along the bay, Caspian Terns, Silver Gulls and Pied Oystercatchers pause to rest.

Rocks near the South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Smoky Cape Campground, Hat Head National Park, NSW.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse
We visited the Smoky Cape section of Hat Head National Park during the winter. It is only a short walk to the lighthouse from the car park. NSW National Parks occasionally conduct WilderQuest tours of the lighthouse itself; as the dates vary it is best to check their website under Things to do.

South Smoky Beach

Looking south from the lighthouse we could clearly see the 4WD beach access from Smoky Cape Campground to South Smoky Beach.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse Keepers Cottages; accommodation.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages offer bed and breakfast options and lighthouse tours. 

Captain Cooks Lookout
Captain Cook Lookout adjoins the lighthouse car park. As well as having an outstanding view to the north, there are picnic tables, barbecues and toilets. Jack Perkins Walking Track and the Smoky Cape to Little Bay Walk leave from the lookout area. 

View north from Captain Cooks Lookout.

Jack Perkins Walk: Grade 4, 2 km return.
We enjoyed the walk past yellow flowering dogwoods to North Smoky Beach and back. 

View south, back to the lighthouse, from North Smoky Beach.

View north from North Smoky Beach.

We encountered a pair of King Parrots and a Black-shouldered Kite along the way.

Australian King Parrot, male.

Black-shouldered Kite, on the hunt.

Smoky Cape Campground:
Smoky Cape Campground is nestled between coastal rainforest and South Smoky Beach. The campground is suitable for tents and camper trailers and can be accessed with a 2WD. The beach can be accessed by 4WD and is an idyllic beach fishing location.

Smoky Cape Campground

4WD beach access from Smoky Cape Campground.

View north from South Smoky Beach in front of Smoky Cape Campground.

Details for Smoky Cape Campground:

Where: The campground is in the northern end of Hat Head National Park; a few kilometers south of Trial Bay and South West Rocks. The campground is on the right off Lighthouse Road before arriving at Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
Access: 2WD, unsealed roads, all weather. 4WD required to access the beach.
Bookings & Fees: No bookings. Adults $6, Children $3.50. Entry Fee: $8 per day or buy a pass; covers the campground and the beach. Camping is allowed for up to 6 weeks.
Facilities: Picnic tables, wood barbecues (BYO wood), non-flush toilets. No water.
Prohibited: Pets, smoking.
Camping Type: Tent, camping beside vehicle, camper trailer.
Sites: 20 unmarked sites. Larger area than it looks.


Bird List: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Pied Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie, Red Wattlebird, Little Wattlebird, Eastern Whipbird, Australian King Parrot.