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Lake Innes Nature Reserve

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Lake Innes Nature Reserve.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Port Macquarie CBD:

    • Drive south on Horton Street then west on Gordon Street. Turn and head south on Ocean Drive until you come to Lake Innes Nature Reserve on your right.

    Park entry points

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Lake Innes Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    Go birdwatching or enjoy wildlife-spotting around the lake and fire trails.

    Spring

    Enjoy cycling or hiking along Googik heritage walk or get out on the water canoeing, kayaking or fishing.

    Summer

    Cool down when the weather is hot by swimming on lovely Lake Innes or enjoying a relaxed picnic by the lakeside. Take in the gorgeous displays of Christmas bell in bloom along the Christmas Bell Plains.

    Winter

    Take a guided tour of Innes Ruins and learn about the area's intriguing history.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    16°C and 27°C

    Highest recorded

    42.3°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    7°C and 17°C

    Lowest recorded

    0°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    February

    Driest month

    August/September

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    298.2mm

    Facilities

    Picnic tables

    Drinking water

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    Prohibited

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Map of Lake Innes Nature Reserve

    Contact

    • in the North Coast region

    • Lake Innes Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    • More

    Links

    Nearby towns

    North Haven (13 km)

    Follow an enjoyable coastal track that passes through littoral rainforest, heathland and eucalypt forests at Grants Beach, located on the north side of the Camden Haven River mouth. The track lies behind the beach and is popular for bushwalking and birdwatching.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Port Macquarie (16 km)

    Vibrant Port Macquarie is surrounded by beautiful waterways - the Hastings River, canals, creeks, bays and the Pacific Ocean. The city also has a five-star collection of golden-sand beaches stretching from Port Macquarie Beach to Town Beach and north along the 16-km swathe of North Beach.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Wauchope (28 km)

    Wauchope is great base for exploring nearby national parks that are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. Follow the Hastings Forest Way to Werrikimbe National Park, a rugged wilderness of outstanding beauty spread with short and long walks. Willi Willi National Park is a rainforest mountain park with three beautiful walking tracks that follow the river and lead to a sparkling waterfall. 

    www.visitnsw.com