HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS IN THE SUN: ILUKA
Wayne Kampe, Brisbane, Camping.

THIS month we are looking at a new concept which extends on the camping related articles which have graced these pages for several years. It's a series that looks at destinations for the camper-cum-holiday-maker and featured this month is Iluka, that tidy little fishing centre on the northern bank of the Clarence River just seventeen kays east of the Pacific Highway.

Iluka's a fairly well kept secret but yet not hard to find because it's situated on probably the largest river on the eastern coast of Australia. Depending on traffic it's maybe eight to nine hours run north of Sydney - or a mere three and a half hour's cruising south from Brisbane. The large colourful sign which designates the turn off is only a few kilometres north of the road bridge over the Clarence River.

If heading north in search of some sun start looking for the sign on the long straight just north of the bridge. It says, "Iluka, Fisherman's Paradise". When travelling south from Ballina the town of Woodburn is the marker and it is only about a thirty minute run south through some fairly heavily forested country to where the sign sits in a cane field.

Iluka is an interesting sort of fishing location; there is just so much to do. No wonder, really, that so many folk from the southern states tend to winter over at one of the camping grounds and then head south again in spring.

That huge clean river is a mecca for anglers. Boaties love the Clarence simply because there are numerous good boat ramps and fish are usually plentiful. Everything from jew to bream, whiting, luderick, tailor and flathead are available depending on the season. That said, the river is also endowed with numerous rock walls, a lot easily accessed without a boat, and most offer good fishing for bread and butter species like bream and blackfish.

The substantial walls at the mouth of the Clarence extend for a considerable distance out to sea and afford the shore-based fisho a good opportunity to take tailor, bream, luderick and even mackerel or tuna in summer. Just in or behind the wave break is always a good possie for dart or whiting as well.

If that's not enough there are also three major headlands that offer excellent rock fishing. Not your thing, standing in the wash, dodging waves and ripping in tailor at day break? Then how about some beach fishing? For the four wheel drive owner easy beach access to the 15-odd kays of beach in the Bundjalung National Park is at Shark Bay (approximately six kays before Iluka) and one does not need a permit to take a run up the beach for a bit of a fish in some interesting gutters or perhaps to pull a few worms or collect pippies.

As one approaches Iluka the Woody Heads camping grounds beckon on the left. Situated entirely in the Bundjalung National Park these grounds do not offer powered sites and booking during the Christmas holidays is by personal approach to the manager only. Telephone bookings cannot be made. Although fairly open to the northerly winds of summer, Woody Heads still offers a lot to the rock angler. Some ripper tailor are caught there each winter and in autumn the land based game fisho can give the mackerel a go. Bream are a year-round proposition. A fairly basic sort of high tide boat ramp gives ocean access although one does need a four wheel drive to launch or retrieve anything much larger than a three metre tinny.

Note that on-site vans are not available but three cabins may be hired. For bookings, telephone (02) 6646 6134, Monday to Friday. Remember, it's in a National Park so pets, spear guns and noise making apparatus like generators are taboo.

Once in Iluka proper three main caravan parks are on hand. The Riverside Tourist Park is situated in Charles Street and this facility has 180 sites, seven cabins and is run by the local Council. There are some permanent residents and the interstate visitors just love the place. The big river backs the park and many a good bream, flathead or whiting has been caught from the rock wall that runs right along the back of the caravan park. Kids have a ball at this place. Gar are always on the go too.

The view up or down river is spectacular. Numerous outboard-powered craft as well as some very large ships travel this water way. Riverside Tourist Park is a very leafy, shady sort of venue (no pets) and bookings may be made by ringing (02) 6646 6060. Shops are very close and of particular note is the hot bread shop; a favourite haunt of Mr Kampe, a renowned custard tart addict from way back.

Clarence Head Caravan Park is also popular. This facility is situated on the northern end of Charles Street and is only a minute's walk from the fishing co-op where the Iluka-based prawning fleet anchors. Fresh prawns, fish and simply delicious chips are on sale at the co-op. The caravan park features fully self contained two bedroom units that will accommodate up to six persons. On-site vans are also available. It's situated right on the edge of Iluka's famous World Heritage rain forest. Naturally, bush walks are very popular with koalas, wallabies, bower birds and many other species of fauna frequently seen. Also close by are shops, the town's hotel and bowls club. Pets are fine. Bookings can be made on (02) 6646 6163.

The Anchorage Holiday Park is situated on Marandowie Drive, Iluka; virtually at the western end of the town and right on the Clarence. Yabbies may be pumped nearby and some excellent little beaches offer flathead and whiting fishing. A boat ramp is handy for river access. Six berth caravans and cabins are available and the cabins range from standard to a very deluxe job that has a full sized fridge, verandah, internal toilet and shower plus a master bedroom. Tent and van sites are plentiful. Pets by arrangement. For bookings ring (02) 6646 6210.

Fishing at Iluka, whether it be in the river, off the rocks or along the beach, can be hard - or easy - on the day; the same as anywhere else. A boat is a definite asset but there are three major rock headlands - Woody Heads, The Bluff, and The Middle Bluff which are all well sign posted where rock anglers can enjoy some good times when it all comes together. Target species here are tailor, bream, blackfish, jew, drummer and blue groper in winter and in summer there are maybe a few mackerel to be had as well. Whiting on the beaches and in the river are a summer proposition.

Several well-stocked tackle outlets are on hand and bait or bits and pieces of replacement tackle are never a problem.

A bowls club, golf club (complete with semi-tame emus) and sufficient shops to service the area complete the picture.

At this stage of its development Iluka is largely unspoiled by over commercialisation.

Summing up, Iluka offers a scenic, relaxed, away-from-it-all sort of atmosphere that is very easy to take and yet sometimes hard to find today. Family groups, retirees or dead keen fishos that just want to fish until they drop - all will find Iluka to their liking.