Upstreampaddle 24 The Brunswick River is a shorter length river on the coastal plain of Northern New South Wales. The areas of interest to canoeists are: the reach from the town of Mullumbimby down to the river mouth town of Brunswick Heads, 11 kilometres, and the two tidal creeks that flow into the river at the lower town. This area was settled by cedar tree cutters from 1849. Marshalls Creek to the north, and Simpsons Creek to the south, run parallel to the coast, behind the coastal dune systems. The area where Marshalls Creek joins the Brunswick is a nature reserve of 84 hectares. A former offshore island, called Harry s Hill has been captured by the process of coastal dune building. The reserve contains an attractive type of vegetation known as Littoral rainforest, or Coastal Vine Scrub. Typical species of the canopy of littoral rainforests include tuckeroo, broad-leaved lilly pilly, Bennets ash, three-veined laurel, brushbox, hard corkwood and emergent hoop pines. The banks of Marshalls Creek are lined with mangroves. In the upper reaches, the trees reach out from the banks, and forms an overhead canopy. Residential housing development lines the last kilometre upstream of Marshalls Creek. above: littoral rainforest, Harry's Hill. above: rainy day photo of the Brunswick River mouth The photograph, above right, was taken from Devines Hill. The visitor, ignoring the pest feral plants of rubber tree and cassia in a garden on the hilltop, can see the Brunswick River below like a map. Note the rock walls at the river mouth, Harry's Hill (the hill left of the river right at the mouth), the start of Simpson's creek, and Cape Byron in the distance. In the photo, below, left, is the panoramic view west, of the river upstream from the Pacific Highway. Further west, not shown, are the distant houses of Mullumbimby. There is vehicle access down a three kilometre long dirt road, North Head road, off Orana Road, to a carpark near Harry's Hill. From there it is 300 metres walk through the littoral rainforest (photo above left) to the northern rock wall at the mouth of the Brunswick River. There are a couple of good places to launch a canoe into Marshalls Creek straight off North Head road. Plan on canoeing in Marshalls Creek two hours before and after the top of the tide, until you get a feel for local conditions.
Upstreampaddle 25.South arm of the Brunswick River, Simpson s Creek drains the freshwater swamp lands of Tyagarah Nature Reserve, 750 hectares. Further south is coastal heath on the sand plain between Byron Bay town to the south, and Brunswick Heads to the north. Paperbark trees predominate in the swamp areas; banksias, she-oaks, grass trees and tea tree, in the heathlands. Once a 4wd road ran from Black Rock Road, Tyagarah, seven kilometres north to Brunswick Heads, through the coastal dunes and surrounding banksias and she-oaks. Now it is a walking trail. A partly sealed, part dusty road runs off the Pacific Highway 7.8 kilometres south of the highway bridge over the Brunswick River. The turnoff is signposted Airstrip, and Grays Lane, and turns into Black Rock Road. above: Coast Fire Trail, South Beach road entrance above: paperbark tree swamp, Tyagarah Reserve paper bark swamp sandy beach and surf, at the end of Black Rock road
Upstreampaddle 26 The Pacific Highway crosses the Brunswick River about a kilometre upstream from where the river meets the ocean. You can stand on the rock walls at the mouth and look straight upstream to the road bridge (photo right). It is not far across the channel to the northern rock wall, less than one hundred metres. The water down near the mouth is a pleasant clean sparkling blue. The bar crossing is a dangerous place to be in a powered boat, and unless you have surf skills and enjoy rolling back up and bracing, stay clear. As can be expected there can be a strong ebb tidal flow, and youngsters should not be left unsupervised in a canoe anywhere near the mouth (photo right). On the northern side are pretty little rock coves with yellow sandy beaches, (right) and a tree covered hill. The town of Brunswick Heads is along the southern bank of the river. On the northern bank opposite town, Marshalls Creek runs north behind the coastal dunes up to New Brighton. Simpsons Creek (photo over page) runs south behind the beach on the southern side, for about seven kilometers up to behind the Tyagarah airstrip. Well, at high tide it does.
Upstreampaddle 27 Marshalls Creek joins the Brunswick opposite the river from the boat ramp, trawlers and Marina. After paddling 2.5 kilometres upstream in Marshall's Creek, there is a small park, and across the road, Pippi s Café. There is another 4.5 kilometres of paddling to be found further upstream. The creek closes in, and then, in the last kilometre, turns into a canal estate, and a grassy launch point in Kallaroo Court (photo right). Those canals and the entrance to Marshalls Creek are constructed. Historically the swamp upstream from Kallaroo Court drained north via Billinudgel Creek to an ocean outlet at Wooyung, however, this was modified with drainage channels and finally closed off with sand mining in the 1960 s. below: falling tide, afternoon, Simpson's Creek
Upstreampaddle 28 It is about 11 kilometres upstream on the Brunswick River to the town of Mullumbimby. The water upstream in town, seems reasonably clear, but dirty brown would be a close description. Disconcertingly, a sign there warns that in the event of rain, sewage may overflow into the river. The map seems to show that Mann's Road, about two kilometres out of town on the Mullumbimby Road back towards the Pacific Highway, offers access to the river. Mann's Road runs into the grounds of the privately owned League Club, and you can camp next to the river. Mt Chincogan (right) can be seen to the west, but river access is difficult. The bank is a vertical wall of broken concrete slabs that seems to be an erosion control measure. There is a two metre sheer drop to the water. Run with the tide if planning to paddle from BrunswickHeads to Mullum, or the reverse, and if paddling upstream take the channel on the right about half way up, to avoid going up Kings Creek. In Mullumbimby, a shady park (Mullumbimby Heritage Park, photo right) lies between Mill Street and the river, and down near where Dalley Street joins Mill Street, there is a dirt road connection to a boat launching ramp.
Upstreampaddle 29