Iluka, New South Wales

Iluka is a small village at the mouth of the Clarence River in New South Wales, Australia. It is situated directly across the river from the resort town of Yamba. At the 2016 census, Iluka had a population of 1,718 people. The town's name is derived from an aboriginal word meaning "near the sea".It has long beaches on the ocean side of the river. It is reached by turning off the Pacific Highway approximately 20 kilometres north of Maclean. As Iluka is a popular tourist destination its population increases slightly in the holiday season with many Gold Coasters in the summer and Victorians in the winter.Iluka Nature ReserveIluka also has a world heritage listed littoral rainforest. It is one of the last remaining littoral rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere. 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.FishingIluka is a fishing community with many commercial fishing industries, ranging from the oceangoing prawn and whiting trawlers to the river netters and trawlers. The river and beach netters can be seen hauling in mullet during the end of autumn. Iluka is also a very popular recreational fishing destination.Schools Iluka Public SchoolSportIluka has a strong sporting history. It contains many strong cricket teams competing in local competitions, a rugby union side, The Cossacks, which competes with teams from up and down the North Coast of NSW, and many soccer sides which have performed well in the Clarence Competition. Iluka FC previously had been a junior-only soccer club, but from 2010 Iluka FC commenced playing in its inaugural senior season. Iluka also has a netball team. Iluka Boardriders Club holds monthly competitions.