SHORT BREAK - Lake Arragan - May 2023

 A few days at Lake Arragan, a pleasant couple of hours south, just outside Brooms Head.

Tuesday 2 May 2023 - Mullumbimby to Lake Arragan

Lake Arragan Camping Area is in Yuraygir National Park just outside the coastal village of Brooms Head and on the coast from Maclean.

Lake Arragan itself is part of a coastal lagoon system surrounded by paperbarks.  It's a great spot for canoeing although Jill and I don't have fond memories of an experience we had some years ago when the wind was so strong that it swept us (and our canoe) to the north side of the lake and the only way we could get back was to paddle right around the edge.  It took us quite a while and was not a pleasant experience.  No canoe this time just a few days of 'vegging out'.

While there are lovely camping spots around the Lake there is also an area along the beach and further camps on the headland at Red Cliff and Grey Cliff.  The area around the lake is a bit difficult to get a van in and out of and a bit mosquito prone as well so we chose a spot along the beach - an area called Plumbago Beach (Lot 47).

We arrived about one o'clock and set up camp and had some lunch.  There is not a lot of shade at this spot and as we are here for a few days we set up some extra canvas to give us a bit of protection.

Had a restful afternoon and then went for a walk along the beach to where the lake would empty into the sea at times.  Not at the moment.   Nice to see the Pied Oyster Catchers about.  We were hopeful that some "footprints" we saw might have been from the endangered Coastal Emus but decided that they were only kangaroos.  Plenty of them about.

Back to camp to light the fire, have dinner and appreciate the sunset.

Wednesday 3 May 2023 - Lake Arragan

 Up at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise over the ocean and a beautiful sight it was.

We then headed off across the heathland (quite an extensive area south of our camp) to observe the wildlife.  Lots of grey kangaroos enjoying a morning munch and lots of birds although they tend not to sit still long enough to be recognised.  Lots of honeyeaters visiting the predominately banksia vegetation - the friarbirds being the most vocal.  We were hoping that we might be fortunate to see the endangered ground parrot that inhabits the heathland but if they were there they weren't showing themselves.

We then headed to Redcliff and Greycliff headlands.  The campsites here are more protected being in remnants of coastal (littoral) rainforest.  Quite panoramic views south towards Brooms Head.

Back to camp for a long slow breakfast and a day of lazing around.  We even put up the hammock in the pandanus palm next to our camp.

The wildlife is pretty tame here and we were visited by quite a few birds, particularly a solitary white-faced heron who hung around the campsite.  The kangaroos don't mind checking out the camp either.

Later in the afternoon, we went for a drive into Brooms Head for a cup of coffee but it appears that everything closes in Brooms Head at 3pm.  We'll have to go earlier tomorrow.

Back to camp and a walk down to the lake. 

Dinner by the campfire as we watched the sunset over Clarence Peak in the distance.

Thursday 4 May 2023 - Lake Arragan

Up with the sunrise again and then a 5+ km walk back along the entrance road and then via Grey Cliffs and Red Cliffs back to camp for breakfast.  As one would expect there are lots of birds out at this time of day - and kangaroos.

Another lazy day interrupted by a drive into Brooms Head for some lunch at the Snack Shack on the beach. 

Friday 5 March 2023 - Lake Arragan

Back home today but as we don't have to vacate the site until 11 we were up again as the sun rose and heading off for a walk to the lake and back.  Plenty of kangaroos around once again.  They must love this place being protected in the National Park and so much grass.

The lake is very serene this time of morning.  A few kids were out fishing and someone in a canoe but apart from that it was very quiet.  Lovely to see a yellow robin out and about.

Another leisurely breakfast back at camp and the regulatory coffee and toast.  We were visited by some jenny wrens which we hadn't seen before.  No males with them so a bit difficult to identify what species.

Packed up and off to Maclean for lunch before heading home.  Along the way, we saw our only coastal emus - metal ones that someone had sculptured out of circular saw blades.  Very cute!