Iluka

Iluka is a small coastal town at the mouth of the Clarence River in the Clarence Valley local government area of northern New South Wales, opposite Yamba. It is known for its long ocean beach, the adjacent Iluka Nature Reserve containing World Heritage-listed littoral rainforest, and its estuarine fishing and boating setting. The town serves as a quiet seaside base for beach activities, rainforest walks and river access.

Visitors can expect a quiet coastal village set between the Pacific Ocean and the Clarence River estuary. The main ocean beach is a long sandy stretch backed by dunes, suitable for walking and fishing. Adjacent Iluka Nature Reserve offers boardwalks and walking tracks through littoral rainforest to Iluka Bluff lookout with views over the ocean and river mouth. The river foreshore has a boat ramp, fishing spots, picnic areas and a ferry connection to Yamba.

Iluka is located on Yaegl Country. European settlement developed from the 1870s as a timber port and fishing village at the Clarence River entrance. Iluka Nature Reserve was gazetted in 1976 to protect one of the last remaining littoral rainforests in New South Wales and was inscribed in 1986 as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

The area is part of Yaegl Country and holds cultural significance for the Yaegl people. The littoral rainforest and estuary are valued for their natural heritage and traditional connection to Country, while the town retains a long-standing fishing and coastal community character.