Black Rocks Campground is a breath taking and secluded patch of coastal wilderness far from the maddening crowds.
Vast empty beaches all to yourself - image by author
Between Evans Head and Yamba is
Bunjalung National Park, a quick
blink-and-you-miss-it turn off the highway after the town of Woodburn onto The Gap Road and you will discover a small patch of paradise. Most of this road is unsealed and you should be prepared for about a 16km drive on graded dirt track to arrive at the campground. A 4x4 is not necessary.
Dune sunsets looking towards Yamba - image by author
Camping here is not for the faint-hearted but for those with the adventurous spirit, there is beauty in abundance.
For the paddlers out there, there are great kayaking and
canoe trips to plan. For the twitches, there are plenty of birds, sea eagles and noisy pittas, Lewin's honeyeaters, brown quails and the more rare coastal emu. You might even catch a glimpse of the rare and feral peacock! There is great beach fishing and dolphin spotting and night walks can discover echidnas, bandicoots and blankets of stars.
Private campsites with a picnic table, fire put and clothes line - image by author
There is no water, power or showers but there are a couple of drop toilets positioned through the campgrounds. There are also electric barbecues for communal use.
An unusual bird in these parts? - image by author
Each campsite is nice and private, settled between the thick dune vegetation of acacias, banksias and tuckeroos. They are fenced and have a picnic table, fire pit and clothesline.
The black rocks at Black Rocks - image by author
The beach is vast and empty and you can "pippi dance" for bait if you would like to fish and explore the beautiful "black rocks" or coffee rock, made from years of highly ferrous soil and organic debris compacting over time.
Off to the creek for some water play - image by author
Running almost parallel to the beach is Jerusalem Creek, a ti-tree melaleuca creek that although brackish, is a great place to rinse the beach salt off.
Jerusalem Creek a great place to cool off after the beach - image by author
At the northern end of the campground there is the Jerusalem Creek walking track, a short and easy walk behind the dunes and to the creek. This is where you might spot an emu and the kids can explore the old war bunkers. In spring, the flowers are beautiful with the soft flannel flower amongst my favourites.
Old war bunkers on the Jerusalem walking track - image by author
Flannel flowers in the spring - image by author
and don't forget your
vehicle pass - It is sometimes more economical to buy an annual pass.
Heading out on the Jerusalem Creek walking track - image by author
What to take: along with your usual camping set up, please remember to bring:
Plenty of
water for cooking, drinking washing up and the occasional birdbath in a bucket for the kids.
Fire wood
Black Rocks Campground has sites for tents, camper trailers and caravans. There is even a dump station for caravans at the southerly entrance to the campground. Be sure to check the map before booking your site as to which one is appropriate for you.
All day dune tumbling - image by author
Black Rocks is for self-sufficient campers, and those seeking to get away from it all. There is something soul enriching in places like these, where you can leave screens and devices behind and enjoy the bliss of wilderness. Long, languid days on the beach spotting dolphins and swimming, rope swings in the deep, cool creek and fire side tales by starlight, night walks to star gaze and climbing dunes to get that feeling you're the only person on earth. It's sometimes what we all need to reset, refresh and return again.
Feasting on beauty at Black Rocks - image by author
