Cycling

PLAZA THEATRE

Where Baz Luhmann’s dreams of being a film director began

If it’s a rainy day or you just feel like treating yourself to the pictures, make your way over to Laurieton to the Plaza Theatre.  There are two cinemas and a good collection of films showing to pick from.  It was at this theatre that Baz Luhrmann’s father worked as a projectionist in the 1970s. Baz Luhrmann would sit with his father watching films and it was here that Baz’ love for the film industry first started.

Laurieton Plaza has easy access with no entry stairs, easy street parking, making it easily accessible to all.

Call the info line on (02) 6559 8755 for session times or visit the plaza theatre.  The theatre is located at 47 Bold St Laurieton NSW 2443.

EXPLORE THE RIVER

Camden Haven is a collection of three villages, Laurieton, North Haven and Dunbogan, which rest at the mouth of the Camden Haven River.  The riverways consist of various lakes and lagoons that are linked to the Pacific Ocean by the Camden Haven Inlet making it a popular spot for fishing, boating and water-sports.

An ideal way to see the expansive Camden Haven waterways is by boat – you can explore Queens Lake, Stingray Creek and Watson Taylor Lake.  The river also offers numerous fishing opportunities, from freshwater bass in the upper reaches, to estuarine species such as bream, flathead and luderick throughout the lakes.  So why not try your luck!

You can hire fishing gear, boats and kayaks at the Dunbogan Boatshed.

LAURIETON MARKETS

The Laurieton river walk markets are held the third Sunday of each month from 8am-1pm, with an extra market day in January.  You are sure to find something to your liking, as there are around 150 stallholders with a huge variety of products to sell.

FRESH SEAFOOD

Armstrong Oysters in Laurieton is a family owned and operated business that sells freshly harvested Camden Haven oysters, local prawns and fresh fish.  You can buy freshly shucked or unopened oysters.  If you are after a recipe, ask the friendly staff or visit their website.  There are picnic facilities nearby where you can relax and enjoy some of the best Sydney rock oysters you’ll ever find.

FISHING

There are a couple of boat ramps a few minutes’ drive from the park that give you direct access to the Camden Haven River. Here you can launch your boat or kayak and try your luck at catching some fish, such as flathead, bream, blackfish and jewfish, or drop in a trap to snare some mud crabs.

There are also local deep sea charters available for the more avid fisherman with snapper, pearl perch, mackerel, kingfish, tuna and black marlin all available at various times of the year.

A short drive to Diamond Head gives you 4WD beach access to Dunbogan beach. This beach offers numerous fishing options with consistent gutters at the northern end and variable gutters further along available to fish. The north and east side of Diamond Head provide a good platform for rock fisherman as it has deep sand gutters close to the edge.

PARAGLIDING AND HANG GLIDING

Looking for an Adrenalin rush?  North Brother Mountain is a mecca for paragliders and hang gliders.  Contact the High Adventure Paragliding school in Laurieton to sign up for lessons, or if that’s not for you, watch the paragliders take off from North Brother Mountain.

PLAYGROUNDS – DUNBOGAN AND LAURIETON

Dunbogan boasts a great playground on the shores of Gogleys Lagoon to entertain your little ones why you enjoy the sunshine and the outlook across the waters.  You may even get to spot a pelican or two, or dolphins if you are lucky, from the play equipment.

Laurieton Oval just over the bridge boasts a newly-equipped children’s playground, a skateboard park and tennis courts. The playground is located on Castle Street and has a fort and slide, spring riders, a climbing net and a monkey bar.

BEACHES AND SURF

The closest beach to Dunbogan Caravan Park is Dunbogan beach, approximately 9.3km in length running between Camden Head and Diamond Head.  Dunbogan Beach is great for walks and you can take your dog unleashed from the Sea view beach access point south to the Beach Street access point or leashed from the southern boundary of Kattang Nature Reserve to the Sea view Avenue beach access point.

There are a variety of breaks along the beach for surfers with waves around Camden Head offering some protection from northerly winds. The waves tend to be smaller around Diamond Head but can pick up during more Easterly and South-Easterly swells.

If you are after a swim, Dunbogan Beach is not patrolled, so drive south to Crowdy Head for a swim between the red and yellow flags, and smaller safer waves too.

Further afield around Camden Head you have Pilot Beach and Pebbly Beach whilst on the northern side of the river there is Grants Beach and Rainbow Beach at Bonny Hills.

NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES

There are a number of national parks and reserves nearby.

Crowdy Bay National Park is less than a 10 minute drive from Dunbogan Caravan Park and boasts picnic areas, walking tracks, fishing, swimming spots and rock pools. It is a great spot for snorkeling at low tide or diving during calm times.  The 5km Diamond Head Loop Walk in Crowdy Bay National Park has breathtaking cliff edge and beach views.

Dooragan National Park across the river features excellent walking trails and provides breathtaking scenic views from the iconic North Brother summit.  You can either drive to the summit or walk the 1.7km (one way) Laurieton track.  The walk is for seasoned walkers as it is challenging in parts.  It will take you through a tall eucalypt forest.  Don’t forget to take your binoculars for bird watching.

The Camden Haven River Walk is an easy walk along the inlet.  It runs for 5.5km (one way, 11km return) from Apex Park in Laurieton to the North Haven Surf Club.  Along the way there are exercise stations, picnic tables and BBQs, playgrounds and toilets making it a great outdoorsy affair for the whole family.  Some sections of the walk are wheelchair and pram friendly.

The Kattang Nature Reserve is a 5 minutes drive from Dunbogan Caravan Park and offers spectacular views, magnificent wildflowers, great photography, easy walking, picnicking, whale watching and fishing. Take the Perpendicular Point Walking Track (3.7km return) to the lookout point where you’ll see north to Port Macquarie, south to Diamond Head, and southwest to the North Brother Mountain in Dooragan National Park.

Swans Crossing in Kerewong State Forest is less than 1 hour’s drive from Dunbogan Caravan Park. There are a number of walking trails into regenerating native forest and hardwood plantations. Swimming is also popular in the nearby shallows of Upsalls Creek.

Take a day trip to the spectacular Ellenborough Falls on the Bulga Plateau at Elands, which is a 1.5 hour drive from Dunbogan Caravan Park.  The 200m drop is one of the longest single drop waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere.