Camping with Kangaroos
Forget about feeding wallabies at the zoo, this is where it's at. Seeing native wildlife in Australia is simply a matter of venturing off the beaten track and setting up camp in an isolated natural location. We arrived at Yuraygir National Park on a whim - campsites along the main coastal towns were booked out during peak holiday season (Christmas and Easter) but here you can turn up and camp wherever there is space. I am usually not a happy camper (in the literal sense) but my attitude completely reversed at the sight of 50 or so kangaroos sprawled across the grasslands.
With the wild kangaroos grazing in the background and the idyllic Lake Arragan and unspoilt beach on our doorstep - it was the most ideal Australian adventure we could have asked for. I don't have a zoom lens on my camera so these photos show the kangaroos as we saw them at real eye-distance. As you can see, these fellas were not shy at all.
Once we identified our little spot, Danny got straight to work and set up the tent (while I supervised with a cider in hand).
Then, we got incredibly distracted by the 'locals' who just happened to walking (hopping) past our driveway. It would be rude not to go and introduce ourselves to them, so naturally, we 'hopped' to it.
Yuraygir National Park
Yuraygir National Park is positioned on a long stretch of undeveloped coastline on the New South Wales north coast between Yamba and Coffs Harbour. There are a number of remote campgrounds that are only accessible by dirt roads. Access by normal car is possible - you don't need a 4WD. We stayed at the Lake Arragan and Red Cliff campground which was ideally placed between a lake and beachfront. (There were basic toilet facilities only so be prepared to bring water and all other provisions.)