Setu 🌉 सेतु: Iluka Place By The Sea

by Rob Harle

Iluka is a tiny fishing village on the north coast of NSW, Australia. It is a haven for recreational fishermen, holiday makers, whale & dolphin watching, and home to a dwindling commercial fishing fleet.

Iluka is an indigenous Australian phrase meaning “place near the sea”, extensive rainforest to the north of Iluka Bay is known as the Bundjalung National Park. This is a world heritage listed littoral rainforest. One of the last remaining littoral rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere. Littoral means part of the zone adjacent to the sea. It contains many different plant species ranging from coastal dune species to tropical rainforest species. The Iluka rainforest has a vast range of native animal species ranging from wallabies and kangaroos to wombats and echidnas. Iluka is famous for the extremely rare coastal emu.

Fig. 1 shows the “bar” which allows entry from the Pacific Ocean, it is relatively safe for yachts and boats to cross in most weather, this provides a safe haven in the calm protected waters of the Clarence River. Across the river is the town of Yamba. Fig. 10 looking south from Iluka shows the lighthouse at Yamba.

I tried with these photos to show the unspoilt natural beauty of the Iluka Bay side of the river together with it’s “laid back” atmosphere, a million miles from the “fast lane”. I go there often to be inspired and to talk to the dolphins and mermaids.

Fig. 1 Looking out to sea from Moriarty’s Beach showing the breakwater and bar.

Fig. 2 Some of the fishing trawlers safely asleep in the bay of the Clarence River Fisherman’s Co-op.

Fig. 3 The Mirigini ferry goes many times a day across to Yamba, a really “laid back” way to travel over to the hustle and bustle of Yamba.

Fig. 4 The mysterious Iluka mermaid shields her eyes from the sun looking out to sea in anticipation for the return of a fisherman?

Fig 5. The mermaid again searching the entry to the Co-op’s safe harbour.

Fig. 6 Just love this symbolic navigational sign-buoy, ”Idle Speed Only” says it all about the pace of life at Iluka.

Fig. 7 “Notorious”, a replica of a 16th century Caravel pirate ship, no it’s not “The Black Pearl”. Built in Melbourne by a man and his wife then they sailed north on their unfolding extensive adventure. Restfully lying at anchor in Iluka Bay.

Fig. 8 One of the more annoying aspects of modern life, no where is immune from capitalist greed, the hideous ambiguous sign reads:
“Warning
Jumping or diving
from this jetty
could cause injury
or death
And is prohibited”