The Iluka (Not) Fishing Competition and Social Weekend
                23-24 February 2008

Culprits:

The weekend got off to an early start with most of the group arriving on Friday night. As we had the Jayco Nana-Vanette we booked a powered site. This placed us a small distance from the main gathering area and the pool. In hind sight this may have been a very wise move.

The location was ideal and very comfortable and just across the road from the river. After settling in Juliet and I set off for a quick tour of the town. We checked out the local fisherman’s co-op and decided that red emperor and chips was the go for dinner. During happy hour our idea of fish and chips was greeted with enthusiasm.

The fishing comp was also discussed and it was announced the prize would go for the biggest fish caught the next day. Now this doesn’t sound too hard but then the argument then drifted to whether it should be the heaviest fish, the longest fish or even the combined weight of the fish caught. There were even some semi-serious suggestions that it should go to the prettiest one or even the one with the best personality. The matter remained unresolved but it didn’t matter since we all gave the competition a miss and went beach driving anyway.

After a stimulating argument about fish vital statistics and after a drink or four, Juliet and I set off with orders for about twenty servings of fish and chips. But Iluka is in New South Wales and sadly they have a nasty habit of playing with the clocks down there.  Anyway it was seven twenty Mexican time and Iluka was closed.

So back to the park and a few more drinks and the disappointed campers all managed to scratch up a BBQ from their freezers. After dinner the group looked at the sign on the pool gate saying no swimming after 8pm but since we decided we were on Queensland time this did not apply to us.  The pool party continued for quite a while but fortunately there was no “FLASH” photography so the main event of the night went unrecorded. Those who stayed on may have also been lucky enough to catch the “FULL MOON” rising. You had to be there; because those who were aren’t talking.

Saturday morning dawned (well at least I assume it did because I slept through it) bright and clear and a beach drive was decided on. Beach access is only a couple of K’s from the campsite but sadly the tides also seemed to be on daylight saving time. A hasty meeting and it was off sightseeing. First port of call was Yamba and a glass of morning tea at the Yamba pub. What a magnificent view. From Yamba it was off to McLean which is a quaint town that has been “Scottished up” so much that even the light posts wear kilts. It is a very pretty town and Chris took us up to the lookout for a panoramic view of the area. Then home for lunch.

Afternoon and a lower tide made the beach drive an easy cruise up ten mile beach to the Black Rock. The beach access was very good and most of us didn’t get into 4WD. You could probably have even made it in a Landcruiser it was so smooth. We lined up the cars for the group photo and one of our party managed to get himself bogged jockeying into place. After some head scratching and unwinding of snatch straps, someone suggested he try putting the car (well ute actually) into 4WD and try it again. Surprise, surprise it worked.

Afternoon tea was at the National Park area at the other end then home for an early happy hour. With daylight saving we could not be sure whether happy hour started at half past or half to, so we took no risks and started as soon as we got back.

After dinner swims were again enjoyed by most of the group even if not by the other residents. During the evening Graeme suggested that he knew a few good roads in the Yuraygir State forest east of Grafton so that was the plan for Sunday.

Sunday morning was a fairly early start, so on the way the group decided on a caffeine and pie stop. We drove into Grafton but it was Sunday and Grafton was closed. Macca’s was the best on offer and after a short stop Graeme led us on to Minnie Water. This is a very cute spot on the coast with a camp ground shop and a few houses.  After a short break to top up our ice-cream supplies it was off to the beach access.

Now this bit was FUN.

Once again the tide was fairly full but it had passed its peak and there appeared to be a fair bit of dry sand. Off down the beach and the going was heavy so we stopped to let a bit more air out of the tyres.  Further down the beach the erosion had created some sand cliffs with the odd big wave washing right up to them. I think most of us hit at least one wave.  I know I had three occasions that the windscreen wipers could not cope with the seawater being thrown up.

All this and pedal to the metal in low gear just to keep going. What a hoot!

Lunch break was at a very pretty picnic area at the end of the beach. After lunch it was back down the (now much wider) beach to Minnie Water.  After a short break to do what one does on short breaks and pump up the tyres and it was back on the road. This time Graeme was still leading but Ross was telling him where to go (nothing new there) because he had the GPS.

The return journey took us through the Yuraygir Forest. We kept to the main forest track and it was a very pretty run. Some of the side roads looked very interesting but it was starting to get late so we pushed on to Brooms Head. We hadn’t actually planned to go to Brooms Head but it was a pretty spot all the same. From there it was back onto the main drag to Iluka for a quick car wash and for those of us who had to leave; a quick pack up and go.

Thanks to Stephen and Debbie for their organisation, Chris for his family’s hospitality (tolerance?) and his excellent local knowledge and Graeme for his tremendous Sunday trip at short notice.

A top weekend.

Howard Parker

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