CamperMate
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel advice and restrictions are frequently changing. Get the latest information (here)
  • Destinations
        • DESTINATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
  • Download The App
  • Stories
        • GETAWAY GUIDES
        • New Zealand
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ADVICE
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • Fishing
        • GEAR REVIEWS
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • OUTDORIAN MAGAZINE
        • Blog Home
CamperMate
  • Win the Ultimate NT Road Trip
  • List Your Business
  • About Us
  • Destinations
        • DESTINATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
  • Download The App
  • Stories
        • GETAWAY GUIDES
        • New Zealand
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ADVICE
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • Fishing
        • GEAR REVIEWS
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • OUTDORIAN MAGAZINE
        • Blog Home
CamperMate
  • Destinations
        • DESTINATIONS
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
  • Download The App
  • Stories
        • GETAWAY GUIDES
        • New Zealand
        • New South Wales
        • Northern Territory
        • Queensland
        • South Australia
        • Tasmania
        • Victoria
        • Western Australia
        • ADVICE
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • Fishing
        • GEAR REVIEWS
        • 4WD
        • Adventure & Sports
        • Camping
        • Caravans & RVs
        • OUTDORIAN MAGAZINE
        • Blog Home
Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome
  • New South Wales

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

  • April 4, 2019
  • No comments
  • 12.5K views
  • 5 minute read
  • Kevin Smith
Total
14
Shares
14
0
0

I’ve been living on the north coast of NSW for most of my life and it amazes me that there are always new and exciting places to explore that l just don’t know about. For some time now I’ve been wanting to explore the northern end of Yuraygir National Park, namely Minnie Water and surrounds. Taking a gamble, we decided to head away for a couple of days to explore this area.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

The Yuraygir National Park extends between Red Rock and Yamba and has the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in NSW. The local Yaegi and Gumbaynggirr people have been fishing, hunting and camping on this land for generations, and there are still areas of cultural significance to show for it. We accessed Minnie Water by heading 10km south of Grafton and continuing for 35km east to the coast.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome
Minnie Water headland

Hitting Minnie Water we realised that this was a very sleepy coastal village due to its location and limited services. Our choice of accommodation was a local caravan park where we based ourselves for a few days.

The Minnie Water Holiday Park run by Jay and Sarah might not have all the fanfare of other flashy parks, but still you definitely won’t be disappointed. Whether you stay in their cabins, glamping tents or decide to bush campin the park – with a location this good, it’s what is around you that’s the main attraction.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

Within an hour of setting up camp we spotted a shy coastal dingo watching us, a hungry goanna cruised the camp looking for a feed, and then there was the array of birdlife making a racket in the trees above. This area is also home to the coastal emu, which has a darker colouring to those out west – not rare, but endangered. Bush camping in the caravan park allowed us to have a fire and gave us quick access to the walking trails into Yuraygir NP.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

The best thing to do after setting up camp is to lock the car, flick the shoes off and start taking in the whole area. You’ll soon notice stress levels drop as this idyllic spot’s calming effect sets in. If you’re after a little exercise or want to grab a coffee at the local shop, there are several walking trails that lead to Minnie Water along the coastline.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome
Minnie Water shop

A popular walk is the Angophora Grove walking trail, an easy hike along the coast with stunning scenic views that takes around an hour to complete. Just between you and me, it would be a great spot to whale watch during the migrating season. In fact nearly every headland we stopped at gave unrelenting views up and down the coast – you can see for miles and miles.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

If you needed to top up supplies or to recharge the batteries in the 4WD, Wooli is 30 minutes away and has very limited supplies and fuel. Wooli has a great little seafood shop if your fishing hasn’t been up to scratch. On our agenda for a few hours was to drive north up the beach from Illaroo towards Sandon, a remote beach village that dates back to 1930. You do need to pick your tides however, as there is only one way in and out and that’s along the beach.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

Giant pandanus trees, sheer cliffs and thick scrub protect the coastline from the ocean swell and sandblasting. The day we drove the beach it was like a freeway; the sand was hard and there was plenty of room to pass other 4WDs. Keep in mind that road rules do apply, there is a speed limit and the beach is also used by walkers, fishermen and kids.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

It’s amazing how nature can do its own thing. We saw sea eagles scoping the beach looking for a feed, there were dolphins cruising down the waves and then we came to a smelly lump of a whale carcass that had been washed up on the beach tucked up beside a headland.

After a quick look we noticed the track shot up and around the headland. NPWS have laid rubber mats within the sand here to stop erosion and damage from 4WDs that head over the headland.

Sandon soon appears, and with the ocean on one side and the banks of the Sandon River on the other, it’s not hard to see this is a very isolated village. Don’t get too excited if you’re expecting to grab an ice cream or need fuel – there is nothing here except for 30 odd shacks and houses. We’re not sure if the locals here have the ideal life of fishing, boating, peace and quiet – it doesn’t seem right to the outside world, even mobile phone signal is limited. Perfect isolation in paradise.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

Having an hour to spare until the change of the tide we decided to leave the car at Sandon and walk around the village. Old fishing shacks, holiday houses and permanent dwellings lined the unsealed grass and sand roads – there is no tar here.

At the headland we meandered down a track lined with coastal banksia plants to a beach that was covered in shells and driftwood. Rocky outcrops gave the impression of some great fishing, and may even hold the odd lobster or two. Spending time down here was great on our perfect summer day but we needed to head back south along the beach before the tide came in and stranded us.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome
More coastal views in paradise

To the south of Minnie Water towards Wooli keep an eye out for the sign-posted Diggers Camp turn-off on the left that takes you deeper into the Yuraygir NP. This unsealed road takes you past Lake Hiawatha which is a water source for the local area. Diggers Camp Road passes through thick heathland and occasionally you’ll have ocean glimpses. There are several 4WD trails down through the heath that lead you directly to stunning beach areas, and if you pick the right time of year you’ll see Christmas Bells or Flannel Flowers in bloom.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

The highlight of Diggers is the amazing walks from the headland around the shoreline, and several walks that are wheelchair friendly, too – a perfect spot to park the car, go for a stroll and have a BBQ in the day area. While great for swimming and surfing, please be mindful that the only patrolled area is back at Minnie Water’s main beach.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

I’ve become a huge fan of this area. There’s natural beauty and wildlife everywhere, and the minimal phone reception means you can totally log off, kick your shoes off like one of the locals, and have nothing to distract you but the feeling of sand between your toes.

Minnie Water – a little patch of awesome

Where to stay

Whether you’re a camper or a glamper, Minnie Water Holiday Park has something for everyone, including six ensuite cabins, safari tents complete with bar fridge and kettle, slab powered sites for caravans, and scenic campsites for tents scattered around the pool and tucked away in the bush.

  • Ensuite Cabins
    From $84 Ensuite Cabins
  • Unpowered Sites
    From $30 Unpowered Sites
  • Powered Site
    From $33 Powered Site
  • Safari Tents
    From $67 Safari Tents

Nearby parks

  • Calypso Yamba Holiday Park
    Calypso Yamba Holiday Park
  • Iluka Riverside Holiday Park
    Iluka Riverside Holiday Park
  • Brooms Head Holiday Park
    Brooms Head Holiday Park
  • Wooli Holiday Park
    Wooli Holiday Park

Download the free CamperMate App

Get it on Google Play Available on the App Store
Total
14
Shares
Share 14
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Kevin Smith

Kev's been writing about offroading and the outdoors for over 20 years and really knows his stuff (although he'd probably be the last to admit it). He's travelled the length and breadth of this country and doesn't look like slowing down any time soon.

Previous Article
Innes National Park: Jewel of the Yorke
  • South Australia

Innes National Park – Jewel of the Yorke

  • April 3, 2019
  • Toby Ley
View Post
Next Article
10 Places You Must Visit in Tropical North Queensland
  • Queensland

10 Places You Must Visit in North Queensland

  • April 7, 2019
  • Kaede Ker
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • New South Wales

White Cliffs: discover the town underground

  • August 2, 2021
  • Matt Cheok
View Post
  • New South Wales

Be charmed by these country towns in Outback NSW

  • July 30, 2021
  • Matt Cheok
View Post
  • New South Wales

Explore a forest of drowned trees at Menindee Lakes

  • June 23, 2021
  • Matt Cheok
View Post
  • New South Wales

Camping oceanside in Southern Eurobodalla

  • June 7, 2021
  • Matt Cheok
View Post
  • New South Wales

7 world-class experiences you can do in Newcastle

  • February 24, 2021
  • Alison Banney
View Post
  • New South Wales

Adventure Cliffside in Coorabakh National Park

  • February 9, 2021
  • Kevin Smith
View Post
  • New South Wales

Blue Mountains adventures to try this weekend

  • January 28, 2021
  • suzanne
Alpine stream along the Main Range Track
View Post
  • New South Wales

Hiking Resolutions: 8 fantastic day walks in NSW

  • January 11, 2021
  • Toby Ley
Search Articles By Location
Recent Posts
  • A Guide to 2WD Waterfall Hopping Around Litchfield National Park
  • A Guide to Road Tripping the Red Centre Way in the NT
  • A Guide to road tripping the Nature’s Way in the NT
  • Uluru region guide
  • Kakadu region guide
webcasinode.com
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Accommodation
  • Accommodation NSW
  • Accommodation QLD
  • Accommodation VIC
  • Accommodation SA
  • Accommodation WA
  • Accommodation NT
  • Accommodation TAS
Destinations
  • New South Wales
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Northern Territory
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
Campervan hire
  • Campervan hire Sydney
  • Campervan hire Brisbane
  • Campervan hire Melbourne
  • Campervan hire Perth
Information
  • About Us
  • Privacy and Security
  • Terms & Conditions
  • List your business
  • Maps
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
© CamperMate 2019

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Powered by Convert Pro

Please Insert Your Valid Phone Number

We will send you a SMS containing the download link.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please Insert Your Valid Phone Number (1)

We will send you a SMS containing the download link.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.