2 0 TO U R IN G H O T S PO TS
WORDS MICHAEL BORG PICS MATT FEHLBERG
A D VE N T U R E S
Limeburners Creek NP, NSW
FASTFACTS
GETTING THERE
Limeburners Creek NP is 18km north of
Port Macquarie.
ACTIVITIES
Swimming, surfing, coastal walks, beach
driving (permit required).
STAY
Point Plomer and Melaleuca campgrounds.
MORE INFORMATION
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
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ADVENTURES
Prime beachfront camping and truly spectacular headlands earn
this little cracker a place on everyone’s bucket-list.
I
t’s hard to beat a relaxed surfside
retreat. The sound of the ocean waves
crashing is enough to lull anyone to
sleep at night, and when you add in a
fresh early morning dip there’s a better
than average chance you’ll want to become
a permanent resident.
Limeburners Creek National Park on the
mid-north NSW coast has one of the best
stretches of surfing coast in the country
and is surrounded by pristine wilderness.
Campers are spoilt for choice – unless
you plan to camp during school holidays,
when the place is at its busiest. The Point
Plomer Campground is a big favourite
and the location is what makes this spot
such a winner. It’s right on the water, the
campsites aren’t marked and there’s a
walk leading straight out of the grounds
up to the main headland.
Not so well known is the 100-site
Melaleuca Campground which is usually
closed in the off-season, but can be
opened up by arrangement. It has no
direct water access, however.
During winter and spring, it’s a top
spot to go whale-watching. These majestic
giants of the ocean have a tendency to
breach and show off as they pass through
on their migration run.
There are a few headlands in the area
that offer awesome vantage points if you
don’t mind climbing a few stairs; it’s hard
to beat the view overlooking the entire
coastline from here.
A 9km each-way walk will get you to the
centre of Port Macquarie via the Sea Acres
National Park; the southern end is one
of the few places on the east coast where
“the forest meets the foam”.
Alternatively, the 1.4km Big Hill
Rainforest Walk offers everything from
low heath vegetation and pandanus
palms to strangler figs, coastal blackbutt
and more species of wildlife and birdlife
than you can count. There’s even a
chance you’ll spot microbats flying
through the treetops as the sun drops
in the west; it’s a rare sight but one you
won’t forget!