Over the past three months, our weather has been less than ideal with very strong northerly winds blowing from early morning and sometimes lasting all day and even into the night.
But now it looks like the weather gods are smiling on us with the forecast for our week away to be with gentle to moderate winds.
The Illaroo campground in Yuraygir National Park lies just 116 km north from our home in Sawtell.
Its the largest coastal park in New South Wales and covers 65 km stretching south from Angourie in the north to just north of Red Rock in the south.
Travelling times have been greatly reduced thanks to the ongoing upgrade of the Pacific Highway to dual carriageway that is continuing from Woolgoolga through to Ballina.
From the highway turnoff its 38 km to the campground. Although this road is bitumen its quite rough in places with lots of twists and turns and not too many overtaking possibilities for other vehicles.
The campsite is right on the beach and features include echo toilets, drinking water, picnic tables and BBQ's. There are a north and south campground with around sixty sites all up, with the northern site being larger.
The camping fees are steep compared to national parks in other states. It's $12.00 per adult per night and if you don't have a parks pass then you are slugged another $8.00 per night for entry.
Having an annual parks pass like we do, means the $8.00 entry per day is wavered.
We only ever camp here during the week as we find it's far too busy on weekends and school holidays.
By road, the small settlement of Minnie Water is 3 km south of the campground and has a caravan park along with a lovely takeaway that also sells coffees alcohol and fuel. There is a 1 km path that leads from the camping area to Minnie Water. The small village of Wooli is 15 km south and has more facilities including a general store, bowling club, hotel-motel and several outlets selling coffee lunch and takeaways.
All major facilities are just 45 km away in Grafton.
