Broadwater National Park

Introduction

Located on the state’s north-east coast, Broadwater National Park’s outstanding feature is its lovely sweep of beach, with impressive dunes and sandy ridges fringed by scrubby coastal heath and wetlands. Flowering bushes and wildfl owers, including brilliant bush peas, swamp lilies, delicate sun orchids and Christmas bells, attract masses of nectar-feeding birds, typically honeyeaters and lorikeets, to the park. Along the coast you can expect seabirds, including wedge-tailed shearwaters, which dive headlong into the water in search of food, as well as gulls and terns. White ibis, gangly herons, elegant grey brolgas and other waders prefer the swamps and marshes.The Bundjalung were the traditional custodians of this region and today some of their descendants live on Cabbage Tree Island just north of the park. Walkers will fi nd easy but enjoyable trails that make the park’s various habitats accessible. Salty Lagoon Walking Track (3 km return, 50 minutes, easy) wends its way past marshy land, swamp forest and 60 000-year-old sand dunes. The park’s fi re trails make good tracks, or you can indulge in some leisurely beachcombing along the 8 kilometres of pristine coastline with its vistas across the Coral Sea. There are also views from the platform at Broadwater Headland, and from the Broadwater Lookout. The park’s beaches are ideal for surfi ng, fi shing and swimming (they are not patrolled, however, so take care). Anglers will fi nd excellent beach fi shing, with whiting and mulloway the likely catches. Picnic and barbecue facilities are set up at Broadwater Beach and Broadwater Lookout.

Fact file

Camping

No camping

Location and access

750 km north of Sydney; 240 km south of Brisbane; 30 km south of Ballina via Pacifi c Hwy then Broadwater–Evans Head Rd; 3 km north of Evans Head via Broadwater–Evans Head Rd

Park Information

• NSWNPWS 1300 361 967
• NPWS Alstonville (02) 6627 0200

Size

4226 ha

Where to Stay

Ballina/Broadwater (02) 6686 3484
Evans Head (02) 6682 4611
www.tropicalnsw.com.au

This content is from the publication:

Explore Australia’s National Parks

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