Bonville Creek
Bonville Creek
- Boat Ramps
- 4
- Access Points
- 0
- Campsites
- 0
Bonville Creek is a saltwater estuary located within Bongil Bongil National Park, approximately 10 minutes drive south of Coffs Harbour, near the town of Sawtell on the NSW North Coast. The creek is suitable for canoeists, kayakers, and stand-up paddle boarders of all experience levels, offering calm, sheltered water in a native bushland setting.
The primary access point for paddlers is the Bonville boat ramp, which is located outside the national park boundary near Sawtell. Parking is available at both the boat ramp and the adjacent Bongil picnic area. The creek also serves as the downstream endpoint for the Pine Creek Paddle Route, a 10-kilometre one-way route that begins at a launch site on Burma Road — a 4WD-only access track with limited turnaround space for vehicles towing trailers. The riverbank height at the Burma Road launch site varies with tides, ranging from 1 to 1.5 metres, which requires care when launching. Paddlers completing the one-way Pine Creek route should arrange a car shuffle or pickup in advance. Tidal conditions influence the paddle, and launching from Burma Road at high tide is recommended to take advantage of the downstream flow.
Pine Creek is designated as a low-speed waterway by Roads and Maritime Services. A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required for anyone fishing in the creek's waters. There is no wheelchair access at these locations.
The estuary supports a variety of birdlife, including cormorants, whistling kites, ospreys, kingfishers, and rainbow bee-eaters. Shorebirds such as little terns and pied oystercatchers nest at the mouth of the creek. The surrounding Bongil Bongil National Park also provides habitat for koalas and endangered black grass-dart butterflies. Underwater, the creek holds flathead, mullet, mangrove jack, bream, whiting, and estuary rays, with occasional sightings of dolphins or sea turtles reported in the broader estuary system.
Facilities at the Bongil picnic area include toilets, barbecue, and picnic infrastructure. The nearest toilets to the Burma Road launch site are at Sid Burke Forest Park, off Pine Creek Way west of the highway. Local commercial operators offer kayak and SUP hire and guided eco-tours on Bonville Creek, with single kayak hire available from around $20 per hour.
Water access, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Bonville Creek. Uncover great paddling access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. PaddleWays's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
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