Iluka, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids IlukaNew South Wales |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Beach, Iluka
|
|||||||||
 Iluka
Location in New South Wales
|
|||||||||
| Population | 1,764 (2021 census) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2466 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Clarence Valley Council | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Clarence | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Page | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
Iluka is a small, friendly village in Australia. It's located right where the Clarence River meets the ocean in north-eastern New South Wales. Across the river from Iluka is a popular holiday town called Yamba. In 2021, about 1,764 people lived here. The name Iluka comes from an Aboriginal word meaning 'near the sea'. It likely came from the Dhanggati language term 'yiluga'.
The Yaegl people are the traditional owners of this land. Iluka has many long beaches along the ocean. You can reach Iluka by turning off the Pacific Highway, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Maclean.
Contents
Nature and Wildlife
Iluka Nature Reserve: A Special Rainforest
The Iluka area is home to a very special rainforest. It's called a littoral rainforest, which means it grows right near the coast. This rainforest is one of the last of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It's so important that it's listed as a World Heritage Site.
This amazing forest has many different kinds of plants. You can find everything from plants that grow on coastal sand dunes to those that prefer tropical rainforest conditions. The Iluka rainforest is also full of native animals. You might spot wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, and echidnas living here.
Flying Foxes: Important Bats
Iluka is also home to a special birthing colony of Grey-headed Flying Foxes and Black Flying-foxes. Both of these bat species are considered vulnerable, meaning they are at risk of extinction.
From October to January, you can see the mother bats flying out at night to find food. They often carry their babies with them. It's a unique sight to see these important creatures.
Local Industries
Fishing in Iluka
Iluka is a busy fishing community. Many people work in commercial fishing here. They catch prawns and whiting in the ocean using trawlers. Others use nets to catch fish in the river. During late autumn, you can often see river and beach netters catching mullet. Iluka is also a very popular place for people who enjoy fishing for fun.
The Clarence River Fishermen's Co-op is located in Iluka Bay. This co-op helps commercial fishermen sell their fresh seafood. They sell and transport seafood to local areas, other parts of Australia, and even around the world. The Iluka Depot has a factory, a shop for selling seafood, and a chandlery shop that sells supplies for fishermen and other customers.
Clubs and Entertainment
Iluka has a few places for people to relax and have fun. There's the Iluka Bowling Club, the Iluka Golf Club, and the Sedgers Reef Hotel. The bowling club has three bowling greens and a Chinese restaurant. The golf club has a ten-hole course and a small restaurant.
Schools
The local school that serves the children in Iluka is the Iluka Public School.
Sports and Recreation
The Iluka Oval is a central spot for sports in town. It was originally used mainly for cricket. After Ken Leeson helped build another field, the oval was named the Ken Leeson Oval. It has two cricket pitches (one synthetic, one turf), two tennis courts, a netball and basketball court, and a field for soccer or rugby union.
Many competitive sports are played in Iluka. There are teams for cricket, soccer, and netball. The local rugby union team is called 'The Cossacks'. The Iluka Boardriders Club also holds surfing competitions every month.
Local News
The local newspaper for Iluka and the wider Clarence Valley area is the Clarence Valley Independent.
