Places we love

Port Kembla Beach, Wollongong

Elizabeth Craggs, Programs & Innovation

Every time I come over the hill at Cowper Street, Port Kembla I get my first glimpse of a place I love – Port Kembla Beach. It’s been my family’s beach for years, so much so that when I say I’m going to the beach I don’t need to specify which one.

As a kid I’d build sandcastles with my brothers, but now as an adult my sand-based activities have changed to picking up litter while going for a walk. Thankfully the beach is fairly litter free, so I get to enjoy the view and the waves running over my feet.

I also love the adjoining pool where I often get a few laps in. Goggles are a must to stop the saltwater getting in my eyes, and in the cooler months, a wetsuit is also essential as the water temp can get a bit nippy. When drying off after my swim I love looking over the wall out at the ocean – hoping to see something exciting like a pod of dolphins or a whale.

I’ve moved out of the Illawarra now, but head down there every couple of weeks in the summer to go to the beach. I think many others have the same idea as you need to get in early for a spot in the car park.

Macquarie River, Dubbo

Simone Grounds, Programs & Innovation

My favourite place is down by the Wambuul (Macquarie River) in Dubbo. It’s a quick walk from home but it feels so far away from town.

There are all sorts of birds - cockatoos, parrots, wrens and finches - flying foxes, and sometimes kangaroos and wallabies. From the high banks you can see both up and down the tree-lined, winding river with agricultural paddocks rolling away up the hills. The pathway crosses the river and winds between giant, ancient river red gums, some with canoe scars, and lush green grass. There’s always a gentle breeze playing through the trees and when the river’s really up, the racing water brings its own wind and energy downstream. In the morning, golden sunrises reflect off the mirrored river surface. In the evening, ultra orange sky fades into deep indigo and the gums become silhouettes across the evening sky. Whenever I walk down to this magical spot, I wonder what the river will bring me today. I never leave disappointed.

Crowsnest Swamp, northern NSW

Stuart Murphy, Operations

Crowsnest Swamp is located on the Clarence River floodplain in northern NSW. Stretching over four kilometres in length and over two kilometres wide, this wetland provides an important role on absorbing extreme weather cycles. It not only provides a natural basin for flood waters, but slowly filters and trickles clean water into the tidal reaches of the Coldstream River.

One of my absolute favourite things to do is to fly fish for Australian Bass at the point where the wetland feeds into the river. It’s a wild place and one of the few big swamps on the coast that weren’t drained in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Oh, and it also stores truckloads of carbon if you’re into that stuff.

Karagi Point, Central Coast 

Rick Noble, Governance, Risk & Planning

Karagi Point, Darkinjung place, is an important nesting place for little terns. Every summer we watch these small, endangered birds settle at the narrow point to replenish after their long, energy-zapping flights from South-East Asia. Many of the birds hope to breed here, while others just return for a while to the place where they started life.

The Entrance is a popular spot for tourists, fishers and water lovers. Little tern nests and chicks (which are tiny) are vulnerable to disturbance by people, and also to predation by birds and animals. Central Coast Council installs temporary fencing each year to give nesting pairs and hatchlings the greatest chance of success.

It’s been a ritual for my family and I to visit The Entrance and check on the birds (from a distance), scanning the sprouting dune vegetation for signs of nests and eggs the colour of sand. The chicks also blend into their surroundings. We’re friends with one of the conservation officers at Council, and if we do find any lonely nests stranded outside the perimeter, we let him know. It’s quite common to see Council extending the fence a few extra metres just to protect more terns. Stewardship in action!

Ideal breeding spots like this are limited in NSW, and numbers of little terns are declining by about 3% annually. But this year there were more than 100 fledglings at Karagi Point, which was considered a great success.

Wilcannia, far western NSW

Rochelle Thompson, Corporate Affairs 

Wilcannia is a place that holds a piece of my heart. Tucked away in far western NSW, this little corner of the world has woven itself into the fabric of my memories, leaving an imprint that's as enduring as the red earth that swathes the area.

Every time I return to Wilcannia I am in awe of its beauty. It’s a place where life moves a little slower, and the warmth of community envelops you like a familiar embrace. The people here have a way of making you feel like you belong, sharing stories and laughter as if you've known each other for a lifetime.

One early morning along a local billabong, I noticed some goanna tracks in the red soil. Sharing these observations with the Elders led to a retelling of the creation story of the falling star, affirming the connection between the land and its stories. It spoke of warning unheeded and the transformation it brought, symbolized by the unique markings on the goannas that roam the riverbanks. It was a moment I will treasure for the rest of my life.

But the real magic lies along the banks of the Barka, where nature's beauty takes centre stage. Winding its way through the landscape, flanked by majestic river gums that reach towards the endless blue sky, it's a lifeline for both the land and its people, whispering tales of resilience and survival. All day long, the sun casts a golden glow over the landscape, where you'll witness a scene straight out of a painting—one that's both serene and awe-inspiring and seems to illuminate the very soul of this place.

Wilcannia isn't just a destination—it's a feeling, a connection to something spiritual. It's a place where time stands still, and the beauty of the land reminds you of the fragility and beauty of our natural environment.

To share your favourite place to visit in NSW, email communications@epa.nsw.gov.au.