Maclean to Ulmarra

Leaving Maclean, the Clarence divides forming the largest inland island in the southern hemisphere, Woodford Island.  The main channel is the northern arm heading south-westerly past The Broadwater and on to the village of Lawrence with a riverside pub and a general store for supplies.

The Memorial Park at Lawrence (GPS 29deg,30.025min.S 153deg,06.084min.E) is well equipped with a public jetty, boat ramp, toilets, picnic, bbq and play equipment.  Across the road from Rutland Street is a popular bird watching spot in the wetland area.

The Southern arm of the river at Maclean is narrow, but a generally deep channel suitable for low masted vessels and motor boats.  There are fixed bridges at either end, the McFarlane Bridge has a clearance of 3.6m and the bridge at Brushgrove has a clearance of 7.6m, but there are also many low cables that span the river.  There is a short stay pontoon at the Ferry Park Complex which has picnic areas, toilets, Visitor Information Centre, local arts and craft gallery and cafe on the river bank before rejoining the main river after the bridge at Brushgrove.

Please note that there are no navigation leads in this channel.

Further up the river, Brushgrove offers another rustic hotel diversion with it’s own jetty for use by patrons (overnight stays can be accommodated with permission) (GPS 29deg,34.074min.S 04deg,20.646min.E).  At the southern end of Woodford Island, near Brushgrove, there are houseboats available for hire.

Continue up river to explore the historic river port town of Ulmarra with its galleries, antique, brick-a-brack shops, cafes and the local pub. Memorial Park at Ulmarra (GPS 29deg,37.854min.S 153deg,01.608min.E) is equipped with a jetty, boat ramp and is close to Bailey Park which has a swimming pool, picnic/bbq and toilet facilities.  Please note that the ferry from Ulmarra to Southgate enters a small inlet on the Southgate side and cannot be seen at this time.

start

Maclean Public Wharf, Wharf St, Maclean 2wd suitable (GPS 29deg,27.466min.S 153deg,11.733min.E).

finish

Ulmarra Public Wharf, Coldstream Rd, Ulmarra 2wd suitable (GPS 29deg,37.854min.S 153deg,01.608min.E)

river distance

29km.

recommended craft

Any on main channel.

Low masted boats only on the Southern Arm.

hazards

• Bluff Point and Southgate ferries (speed limit of 4 knotts within 100m).
• Southern Arm fixed bridges: MacFarlane Bridge 3.6m and Brushgrove 7.6m.
• Nine pin Rocks at the entrance to the southern arm (exposed at low tide).
• Wreck of the Moongi just downstream from Ashby dry dock.
• Rock Reef, north of Brushgrove.

maps

NSW Maritime Clarence River Waterways Map, Grafton 1:100,000.

points of interest

• Maclean Ferry Park Complex
• Lawrence riverside pub - Public Wharf
• Lawrence Historical Museum
• Birdwatching at Lawrence wetland and Woodford Island
• Fishing at Lawrence & Ilarwill
• Brushgrove riverside Hotel – small jetty
• Ulmarra - Public Wharf to explore galleries, cafes & pub

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