THE NAMBUCCA VALLEY

There’s not many destinations in Australia where the rich soil from volcanic activity meet the ocean giving lush pockets of subtropical rainforest steaming back to the Gondwana period. Not only this the beaches are some of the best you’ll find in Australia, in fact one has been named the 8th best with it’s gleaming white sand and crystal clear water tucked in a little cove.

Nambucca Heads, mid way between Sydney and Brisbane has all this and more. Now bypassed by the fast track freeway, this area is quiet and peaceful but a few days here will want you coming back for more. Nestled right on the coast Nambucca has all the services of the larger cities in a laid back kind of way. The Nambucca River ends it’s 87km journey on the southern side of town to it’s starting point way in the hinterland and gives life to the whole valley. 

Before white man set foot in this area local Gumbaynggar and Dunghutti Aboriginal people called this place home where the water and land was rich in food. Back in 1820 explorer John Oxley explored the area looking for convicts who stole a boat but what they found was red gold, massive stands of Red Cedar trees and it wasn’t long before the area was settled and logging was started. 1874 saw a town site surveyed, land was soon sold and the town grew. 

Having the river as a base for shipping up and down the coast it was soon realised that there was a pretty dangerous bar at the river entrance. Ships ran around and lives were lost, ironically in 1934 a wooden steamer named the Nambucca ran around on route from Sydney to Nambucca with a load of cargo. Rich in maritime history there are several museums in town where you can delve further into everything maritime. Overlooking the river at the Captain Cook and Rotary lookouts, pioneer cemetery’s with old graves lets you have a somber moment reading headstone details. A sad part of maritime history where lives were lost and it was the done thing to bury people overlooking the ocean. 

In 1895 a 500 metre long break wall was built along side the river, now known as the V wall it’s now a tourist attraction where anyone with an idea and some paint can graffiti the rocks that line the path. This unique idea has become so popular that people come from all over Australia to sign there own rock. You can spend hours walking the wall reading the cartoons, signatures, peoples memories and graffiti. 

Don't just think that the Nambucca area is limited to water based activities where you can fish, walk for miles along deserted beaches, spend hours on a SUP, snorkel or swim - it’s also known for nature walks and forest drives. Around town there are walking trails that criss cross between coastal rainforest pockets and waterfront walks that will allow you to put a few miles in wandering around town. The beaches are some of the best ( and uncrowded ) that you will find on the east coast. Protected coves where on the gentlest of waves form that are perfect for the kids or to snorkel around, to the open cut beaches that suck the swell in giving awesome surf breaks for those keen.  

Getting away from town head west to Bowraville where you might be pleasantly surprised. Known as the Veranda Post town it now has an alternative feel with colourful buildings, wide streets and festivals. Bowraville is like a town where time has stopped where progress just wouldn’t fit in. A town clock in the main street, wrought iron verandas on the old Bowra pub, old war museums and the Bowraville theatre built in 1940, there’s not many towns like this any more. 

One of the most iconic destinations when in the Nambucca area is to head to Taylors Arm, about an hours west of Nambucca to The Pub With No Beer. Extremely rich in dairy land and a few colourful locals the valleys out here were stripped of the red cedar trees from the mid 1800’s. By 1900 a small town evolved with a pub, post office and several stores to service the growing community. These days the pub has a cosmopolitain feel with camping outside, great meals and a variety of beer from around the world. The Pub with No Beer was made famous by Slim Dusty when he recorded a song about the pub when it ran out of beer ( and did you know that Midnight Oil released their own version too in 1988 ). The walls are lined with memorabilia from days gone by like old tools that are 100 years old, photos, newspaper articles and more. Out front its hard to miss the massive Red Cedar log that was hauled down the valley as a reminder to days gone by. 

Don’t think that it’s a quick drive out to the pub for a squizz then back to camp again. Around the pub check out the old relics outside and the old church that was donated that now is jam packed with beer cans from around the world - strange but true. It’s a popular spot for weddings and music gigs so if you plan it right you might end up spending more time their than planned. 

The Nambucca Valley is one of those destinations where you might not think twice about, but like me you’ll be pleasantly surprised just what you can find if you look a little deeper. 

When in Nambucca we decided to stay at Reflections Holiday Park. this ever so peaceful park is only a stones throw away from main beach and a two minute drive to town. In a beautiful location where you can smell the ocean breezes with plenty of trees for shade, walking trails along the headland to nearby beaches and it’s dog friendly. The park lookout has views all the way up and down the coast, perfect for whale watching or to seek a perfect wave.