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Bird Watching
Bird WatchingThe Camden Haven is a birders paradise offering a diverse range of habitats from the coastal heaths to sub-tropical rainforests. More than 200 species of birds have been observed
The diversity of habitat in the Camden Haven means a diversity of birds with over 200 species recorded. There are many good ‘birding’ locations including:
Kattang NR with pelagic birds including albatross from Perpendicular Point, heath birds and rainforest birds including the Noisy Pitta, several fruit doves and Regent Bowerbird. The vulnerable Glossy Black-Cockatoo is a daily visitor.
The Camden Haven River, with Gogley’s Lagoon and Queens Lake are good for water birds and migratory waders, including Black-necked Stork, Beach Stone-curlew, nesting Osprey and White-bellied Sea-Eagle as well as six tern species, oystercatchers and many others. Lake Cathie is similar habitat and if you are lucky you will find Nankeen Night-Heron.
Dooragan National Park is good for the wet forest species including Red-browed Treecreeper, and Wonga Pigeon, while Henry Kendall reserve overlooking Stingray Creek is good for dry woodland species.
The forests of Middle Brother and beyond Lorne are also excellent places to look and, Swans Crossing and environs are good for wet and rain forest species.
If rainforest species are your desire then you can’t go wrong at Boorganna NR, a beautiful setting with Pitta and Logrunner almost certainties and Paradise riflebird if you’re lucky.
Of course there are many other places to visit and birds to see. Further afield, just to the south are Crowdy Bay National Park, Harrington and the estuaries of the Manning. To the north, Sea Acres Nature Reserve in Port Macquarie is always good for rainforest birds, as is Pelican Island for waders.
Bushwalking
BushwalkingWithin the Camden Haven region you will find several national parks, nature reserves and state forests. There is a range of bushwalking and hiking tracks in these parks and reserves that have varying difficulties to suit to all levels of fitness.
Dooragan National Park, which is close by to the village of Laurieton features the Laurieton track. The Laurieton Track walk is usually for people of a higher level of fitness. The view is outstanding and provides views down to Diamond Head and beyond. Alternately, some people prefer to walk and organise a car to be driven for the return journey.
At Camden Head, you will find the Kattang Nature Reserve and the two walking tracks – the Flower Bowl Circuit and Perpendicular Point walks. These walks are fairly easy – and feature stunning panoramic views with spectacular wildflower in late winter and spring. The area is also an excellent spot for Whale watching.
The Grants Beach Coastal walk at North Haven and the Queens Lake Walking Trail are easy strolling taking in the coastal area and excellent bird watching.
Crowdy Bay National Park is one of the NSW coasts most spectacular short coastal walks, the Diamond Head Loop Walk. This moderate walk features coastal heathland with brilliant wildflower displays. Look for whales & dolphins as they pass by or for sea eagles on the wing
Camden Haven Cruises
Camden Haven CruisesCamden Haven Cruises offer tours and group bookings on the beautiful Camden Haven River aboard their magnificent vessel Far-Lap. Camden Haven Cruises explores the Camden Haven Inlet, river and associated lakes from Pilot Beach to Kendall. These magnificent waterways are home to a plethora of marine and bird life and are one of the cleanest most pristine on the NSW coast. They offer hourly hire with ‘do it yourself’ catering or they can organise catering for you via any of their preferred suppliers. Why not celebrate your next occasion with them; birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, social clubs, farewells, etc.
See bottlenose dolphins, prolific bird life and even witness sea eagles being fed just meters from the boat. Great for kids. Live commentary covering Aboriginal, early settlement, logging, mining and maritime history, geology, and the Three Brother Mountains seen all from one spot with their Dreamtime story told.
ECO CRUISE – EVERY Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 12pm ( Sundays in June – July ) Commentary, Feed the Sea Eagles, Tea and Coffee included $28pp Adults $25 Seniors $10 kids
SUNSET CRUISE – Music BYO Drinks and nibbles, Relaxing River Cruise, Tea and Coffee included $28pp Adults, $25 Seniors, $10 kids April – May & Aug – Sept 3pm – 5pm, October – March 5.30pm – 7.30pm (June July No Sunset)
Please contact: 0457800385 or email info@camdenhavencruises.com.au
Fishing
FishingBeach and rock fishers should try the beautiful Diamond Head, Perpendicular Point and the small village of Bonny Hills. The North Haven and Dunbogan break walls in the estuary mouth are popular for a mixed bag of fish
A boat is an ideal way to see the expansive Camden Haven waterways. Explore Queens Lake, downstream into Stingray Creek and then back up into Watson Taylor Lake on your way to the Camden Haven River. Boat and kayak hire is available through Dunbogan Boatshed.
The Camden Haven is renowned for its prawn and crab fishing during the warmer months, Lake Cathie prawning will allow for many hours or enjoyment. Queens Lake and Watson Taylor Lake, which both run into the Camden Haven Inlet, are some of the most productive grounds for prawns and crabs on the north coast. Spearfishing on ocean beaches (except within the last 20 metres at the end of each beach) is not permitted. It is illegal to spear blue, red or brown groper, lobster or any protected fish. For more information about fishing regulations & requirements please visit: Department Primary Industries
National Parks & Reserves
National Parks & ReservesThe National Parks and Nature Reserves of The Camden Haven offer something for the whole family –
The landscapes of the Camden Haven district are diverse with many great walking tracks. The parks also feature Birpai Aboriginal legend and sites as well as more recent human heritage.
Please see the links below for various National Park Information
Paragliding
ParaglidingNorth Brother Mountain, Middle Brother Mountain, Bonny Hills; these sites offer the best coastal paragliding in NSW.
The Camden Haven has become synonymous as one of the most popular places to paraglide and Para-motor in Australia. The ideal coastal and inland sites offer up some of the most picturesque and accessible sites you can find.
In total the area offers more than 10 flying sites. Predominant and consistent cool sea breezes in the warmer months and milder winter conditions make the Camden Haven an all year round flying destination.
The North Brother Mountain site located in Laurieton is a highlight for any paragliding enthusiast; North Brother is the highest North East coastal site in Australia. Many cross country flights of 80 – 120 Kilometers are flown here regularly. The spectacular long sandy beaches are a perfect playground for the para-motoring adventurer.
The area is also a favourite spot for tandem paraglides with local operators regularly taking to the sky with keen passengers from North Brother and Bonny Hills.
One of Australia’s best paragliding schools, High Adventure is based in the Camden Haven.
Contact : 0429844961
Swim, Surf & Picnic
Swim, Surf & PicnicThe Camden Haven district offers some of the best surfing beaches on the NSW coast. There are also many picnic spots that have BBQ’s toilets and picnic tables. The choice is many and varied. Some of the most beautiful spots in NSW
Lake Cathie is a wonderful area with its lagoon and lake. The foreshore parklands have a children’s playground, toilets, covered BBQs and picnic tables. Lake Cathie Beach has numerous surf breaks, further south, Middle Rock can provide reasonable waves during east and southeast swell. Lake Cathie is fantastic for swimming when the lake is open to the ocean.
When it comes to surfing, Rainbow Beach at Bonny Hills is probably the best & most well-known amongst the surfing fraternity. There is a park, BBQ and picnic spot overlooking the beach and you have the luxury of the Surf club for grabbing a coffee and something delicious to eat.
North Haven has a meshed off tidal pool suitable for young children and a great boat ramp for launching your boat for a day on the water.
Laurieton allows for picnic on the foreshore as well as Henry Kendall Reserve and, if you’re looking for a bit of elevation, try the summit of North Brother Mountain in Dooragan National Park where there are picnic tables, toilets and BBQs
The Dunbogan Reserve is one of the prettiest picnic spots in the area. It is situated right where Gogleys Creek enters the river and even has a small tidal pool for the kids. Pilot Beach is also a great place for picnic and swimming for the kids to swim in calm waters. On the other side of the breakwall, Wash House beach is good for surfing.
Crowdy Bay National Park features some excellent picnic spots. You can picnic with kangaroos at Diamond Head camp ground where there are picnic tables and BBQs. There are more basic, but quieter, spots along Diamond Head Road, namely Blackbutt, Cheese Tree and Geebung picnic areas.
The Camden Haven has three patrolled beaches – Grant’s (North Haven), Rainbow and Lake Cathie. Click here to find out when the beaches are patrolled. North Haven and Bonny Hills each have an associated Surf Life Saving Club. There are community swimming pools at Laurieton and Kendall. Click here to find out seasons, opening times, locations and entry fees.
Whale Watching
Whale WatchingThe headlands of the Camden Haven: Diamond Head, Kattang Nature Reserve, Grants Head and Bonny Hills offer great whale watching vantage points.
Every year, humpback whales and southern right whales migrate along the NSW coastline.
They head north throughout June and in the first week of July, and return southwards from around September to November. During their northern migration, most whales come within 3 km of the NSW coast.
Headlands and lookouts in national parks can be the perfect place to see them. In the Camden Haven the best places are Grant’s Head at Bonny Hills, Perpendicular Point in the Kattang Nature Reserve and Diamond Head in the Crowdy Bay National Park.
Whales are protected animals, and if you go out on the water, you should follow the regulations for whale watching. They’ve been designed to make whale watching enjoyable and safe, without interference to the whales.