Moonee Creek Nature Reserve is famous for its natural beauty and the many aquatic experiences including surfing, kayaking, and exploring the beach’s uniqueness.
Moonee Creek Reserve is a 20-minute drive north of Coffs Harbour. Moonee Creek estuary and Moonee Beach are renowned for their clean, clear water with parts of the area dog friendly, on leash. The estuary is fringed by the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve and affords an easily accessible opportunity for great paddling and checking out the natural wonders of this north coast gem.
Enter the estuary at Moonee Creek Reserve and head upstream with an incoming tide. The estuary is strongly tidal and it is recommended that you time your paddle to coincide with the appropriate tide. Taking your time, you wind your way north as the creek twists and turns and the landscape slowly changes from mangroves to melaleuca and large eucalypts.
There is a fantastic spot to picnic near Tikki Walk bridge, which is about 1 hour upstream, or you could land at any number of other serene chill-out spots. The beach is accessible from the bridge.
Near the bridge, there is a creek to the left which can be explored almost to the highway. It is about 1.5 hours upstream until the main creek becomes too narrow to navigate. In the upper reaches abundant fish and bird life accompany your journey and tree ferns line the bank.
Try to time your downstream paddle with the outgoing tide and you can enjoy a tranquil and effortless drift back to the reserve. Please be aware that the creek is potentially dangerous where it flows into the sea.
