Highlights: The marine park shelters over 280 species of fish, four species of turtle and around 90 species of coral. There are colourful sea slugs and plenty of marine mammals, including migrating humpback whales during colder months.
The amazing marine diversity is a result of the convergence of two great ocean currents. More than 550 types of fish, four turtle species and protected species such as the grey nurse shark and black cod weave around the 90 colourful species of coral.
This is one of the best locations in Australia for whale watching, both in autumn and winter when the humpback whales make their way north to calve in warmer waters, as well as in spring, when they swim south again to their Antarctic feeding grounds.
Activities: If you're a water enthusiast, Solitary Islands has everything diving, snorkelling, swimming, surfing, beach walking, whale watching, birdwatching, fishing and boating. You can camp in the adjacent Yuraygir National Park (north of Red Rock), or you'll find accommodation in Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Wooli, Red Rock and numerous other places in the area. Special rules apply in the marine park, and zoning maps are available from tourist information centres, bait and tackle stores, dive shops and the marine park office.
Yuraygir Coastal Walk: this unique four day walk traverses the adjacent Yuraygir National Park, the longest stretch of protected coastline in NSW. The walk crosses heathland plains, long sandy beaches, crystal clear creeks and lagoons, and rocky headlands.
Access: The marine park stretches for 75 km along the coast north of Coffs Harbour. Access is from paved roads off the Pacific Highway.
Please note: the map below is not to scale and does not include zoning and access details. See the Marine Parks Authority for a zoning plan guide and more information.
