Woolgoolga Headland Walk
This is just a short walk in a town you’ve probably never heard of. I hadn’t either until we stopped here overnight on a recent trip up the coast.
Woolgoolga sits on the Mid-North Coast, about 660km north of Sydney. The locals call it ‘Woopi’, and it has a relaxed vibe compared to some of the bigger coastal towns.
If you do find yourself in Woolgoolga, take the opportunity to walk this headland path. It’s an easy leg-stretching stroll, great if you’re stopping mid-trip, and the coastal views are great.
The walk is part of the longer Solitary Islands Coastal Trail which I haven’t done but have just added to the list.
Where is Woolgoolga?
Getting to Woolgoolga is pretty easy. It's about 25 minutes north of Coffs Harbour on the Pacific Highway, so if you're doing the coastal drive, it's a convenient stop and less hectic than Coffs.
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An easy, family-friendly trail around Woolgoolga headland and surrounds, with great views and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
Distance 2.5 km Time 1-2 hours
Level of Difficulty Easy -
Sweeping views to the north and south
Beautiful beaches
Great whale-watching spot
Kangaroos, a variety of birds and other wildlife
Seating and grassy picnic areas overlooking the ocean
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Take the grassy side-path to get a little closer to the edge of the headland
Hat, sunscreen and swimmers recommended and a jacket on a windy day as it can get quite breezy up on the headland
The months from June to September are best for whale-watching
The Trail
The headland walk begins at the Woolgoolga Surf Lifesaving Club behind Woolgoolga Beach. Parking is available in the main beach car park and surrounding streets.
The track winds around the headland on a paved path but you can explore the shoreline a little more by following a side path, distinguishable in the grass below.
From the top of the headland looking north you can see Woolgoolga Beach and Yuraygir National Park, with Woopi Back Beach to the south.
Out to sea you might spot the lighthouse perched on South Solitary Island. One of the most isolated in Australia, the lighthouse has been operating almost continuously for close to 150 years. The light was automated in 1975 and the island is now uninhabited.
The final part of the walk takes you through some local streets and back to the start.
Wildlife
I did this walk in the early morning. Most others on the trail were friendly locals walking their dogs, including a lovely man called Tim (his wife calls him ‘Timformation’), who told me all about the local wildlife and pointed to some rocky shallows off the headland where turtles and stingrays are regularly seen.
The Woolgoolga headland is known as the best whale watching spot in the Coffs Region. Sadly I didn’t see much action here but I did see a number of Eastern grey kangaroos, grazing and lazing on the lawn.
In the trees along the first part of the trail and on the headland itself were quite a few birds, seen and heard. I saw a couple of Butcherbirds in the bushland and a pack of Rosellas in the park. Up on the headland were Willie-wagtails, an Australian pipit, Welcome swallows and Magpie-larks. And down by the water I saw a few seabirds - some Crested terns, a Black-shouldered kite, and down on the beach a Great Egret, foraging among the sand dunes.
In the Area
Apart from being a nice place to take a walk, Woolgoolga is also a great place to go swimming, surfing, fishing, diving and snorkelling. The beach backs onto a grassy reserve that offers shade, picnic tables and an enclosed playground. Woolgoolga Beach Markets are held in the reserve on the second Saturday of each.
If you’re after something to eat, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants a stone’s throw from the beach, and for a post walk treat I can recommend Blue Cow Gelato just across from the reserve.
An interesting sidenote - Woolgoolga is home to Australia's largest Sikh population and there are two Sikh temples in the town. Each year around September, the town plays host to Curryfest which celebrates Woolgoolga’s rich Punjabi heritage and broader cultural diversity with a festival of food, music, dance, and community.
Monthly markets and the annual Curryfest are held in this beachside reserve