Walking tracks
Angophora Grove Walk
This is an easy walk from Illaroo picnic area through beautiful old angophoras, also known as smooth-barked apples (Angophora costata).
Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests
Corkwood Walk and Scribbly Gum Walk
This track follows the creek upstream through coastal forest and has a short diversion through the scribbly gums (Eucalyptus signata).
Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests
Freshwater track
Discover one of the Clarence Coast’s best-kept secrets on the Freshwater track. Starting at the northern end of Pebbly Beach campground, this short track leads you to a beautiful and remote beach.
Positioned on the park’s southern coastline, the Freshwater track forms part of the Yuraygir coastal walk’s Wooli to Red Rock section.
You’ll pass stately eucalyptus trees, coastal heathland and craggy rocks before arriving at the exquisitely isolated Freshwater Beach. Have you ever seen a wilder, more magnificent beach in your life? Walk along the beach and dip your toes in along the way, it’s also a good spot for a picnic lunch. Stay as long as you like before heading back to the track for the return walk.
Find out more about the Wooli to Red Rock walk
Plant communities: heathlands
Location:
shown on park map
Rocky Point Track
From Illaroo camping area follow the coastline south to the heights of Rocky Point.
Plant communities: heathlands
Location:
shown on Minnie Water map
Wilsons Headland walk
Wheelchair access: medium
Assistance may be required to access this area
- A section of this walk from Boorkoom campground is wheelchair-accessible
- There's a 2km natural surfaced path along the cliff with impressive views
- The southern entrance to the walk involves 800m of gravel path, consisting mostly of easy grades but there are two steep sections for which wheelchairs will need assistance
The easy Wilsons Headland walk links Boorkoom campground with Wilsons Headland picnic area, and comprises a small section of the Clarence Coast’s Yuraygir coastal walk. This short track winds along the coastline – passing stretches of endless ocean, isolated beaches and secluded coves.
Hike the track from late winter to early summer to be greeted by banks of wonderful wildflowers, or walk during whale watching season to spot migrating humpbacks. It will be no surprise to you that this easy walk is a long-time favourite among locals.
Strategically-placed seats and lookouts allow you to catch your breath and soak up the incredible views – why not take a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of these spots?
Find out more about the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, Illaroo to Wooli section.
Plant communities: heathlands
Location:
shown on Minnie Water map
Angourie Walk
The Angourie Walk links Mara Creek in the north with Lake Arragan in the south and forms part of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk's Angourie Surfing Reserve to Brooms Head section.
Angourie Surfing Reserve to Brooms Head
Plant communities: freshwater wetlands, heathlands
Location:
shown on Angourie map
Illaroo to Wooli
A short walk along the Rocky Point track south from the Illaroo campground leads you onto Main Beach. This beach passes the small coastal village of Minnie Water, with a general store (02 6649 7586) just behind the surf club, and a caravan park nearby. Fresh water is available in the town.
At the southern end of Main Beach wind your way up the boatramp road into Melaleuca Park and onto the walking track, a picturesque walk ending at Back Beach timber steps. At the end of Back Beach you round a rocky platform and come onto Diggers Beach and pass the hamlet of Diggers Camp. Not much further access the steps up to Boorkoom campground. Plan your trip carefully here as some high tides and big swells can make this section between Back Beach and Boorkoom impassable (see tidal information).
Adjoining Boorkoom campground is the magnificent Wilsons Headland Walk, offering panoramic ocean views contrasting with secluded coves, isolated beaches and banks of wildflowers. The track winds down from Wilsons Headland to Wooli Beach. This long stretch of sand takes you into the township of Wooli. The town has various types of accommodation, a general store (02 6649 7753 or 6649 7606), restaurants, bowling club, tavern and caravan park.
The Wooli Wooli River can be treacherous for swimmers. Prior contact with a local boat hire company (0439 409 909) will ensure a safe passage, preferably on an incoming tide.
Getting there: Grafton-Minnie Water/Wooli, Atwal Coaches 02 6644 5482
NOTE: this is part of the four-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk and connects with Brooms Head to Illaroo walk in the north and Wooli to Red Rock walk in the south.
More information
Directions: best walked north to south with the sun at your back. For map and brochure download, see the Yuraygir Coastal Walk.
Contact:
Grafton, Phone: 02 6641 1500
Wooli to Red Rock
Once across the Wooli Wooli River you will traverse a 5km stretch of rock platform and this can be quite strenuous. This is the most remote section of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk. It is vital to check your tide chart as this section may become impassable in very rough ocean conditions and high tides.
The rocky platform leads you to the spectacular Freshwater Beach where you'll find Yuraygir's most impressive pandanus palms. Whilst not a true palm the pandanus has spined leaves in a spiral arrangement. Wildlife take advantage of the spiny leaves by living in the tree for protection and they favour its fruit. The Gumbaynggirr people used pandanus leaves to weave neckbands and armbands. The fibre of the leaves can be used as string for dillybags, baskets, mats and shelters. The pandanus is an important Gumbaynggirr ceremonial plant and Elders' permission is required to pick its leaves.
The Freshwater Track links the beach with the Pebbly Beach campground, where you cross Station Creek and follow the beach to the Corindi River. The northern and southern end of Station Creek Beach are one of the few places where the endangered little tern breed. Breeding success for these birds has improved through the cooperation of visitors and management actions such as fencing, fox baiting and vehicle exclusion areas.
The village of Red Rock abuts the Corindi River (local shop contact: 02 6649 2730). Visitors planning to cross the Corindi River will need to make their own arrangements for a safe crossing. A private operator can provide watercraft support for the river crossing (phone 0488 491 304).
Getting there: Grafton-Minnie Water/Wooli, contact Atwals Coaches 02 6644 5482 and Coffs Harbour-Red Rock-Grafton, contact Ryans Bus Service.
NOTE: this is part of the four-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk and connects with the Illaroo to Wooli walk to the north.
More information
Directions: best walked north to south with the sun at your back. For map and brochure download, see the Yuraygir Coastal Walk.
Contact:
Grafton, Phone: 02 6641 1500
Angourie Surfing Reserve to Brooms Head
Commencing in the world famous Angourie Surfing Reserve the walk descends into Yuraygir National Park and onto Back Beach. At the end of Back Beach a staircase leads you onto the Angourie Walk.
The Angourie Walk takes you through a variety of coastal ecosystems, linking Mara Creek in the north with Lake Arragan in the south. Features of the walk include magnificent views from the Point Dirrigan Lookout, where dolphins are regularly sighted, coastal caves on the southern side of Shelley Headland, and birdwatching on the heathlands. Please note that if the tide is high you may need to walk along the track that branches off midway along the beach - look for the tall post.
2km south of Dirrangan Lookout is Shelley Headland campground; from here the walking track leads south to Plumbago Headland. Along this section you get magnificent views to the west of the conical shaped Clarence Peak and the beautiful waters of Lake Arragan, marking the end of the Angourie Walk.
Reaching Lake Arragan you have the option of staying the night in the national park campground. Make sure you check out the views from the Redcliff Lookout before you go. Brooms Head Beach is accessed via the Greycliff stairs at the southern end of the campground. The beach passes the village of Brooms Head, which has a general store (02 6646 7002), bowling club, caravan park and tap water.
Getting there: Grafton-Maclean-Yamba and Maclean to Brooms Head, contact Busways 02 6645 8941.
NOTE: this is part of the four-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk and connects with the Brooms Head to Illaroo walk in the south.
Directions: best walked north to south with the sun at your back. For map and brochure download, see the Yuraygir Coastal Walk.
Contact:
Grafton, Phone: 02 6641 1500
Brooms Head to Illaroo
At the very southern end of the Brooms Head Beach follow the stairs up to the Brooms Head Lookout where you'll have great views to the north and south. The walking track leads you onto the north end of Sandon Beach. This long stretch of sand ends at the Sandon River campground. If you have time, at low tide you can explore Plover Island, which holds great cultural importance to the Yaegl People (tide information).
At Sandon you experience your first deep river crossing; contact 0427 220 368 well ahead of time for assistance crossing the river. The river is the northern most point of the Solitary Islands Marine Park that runs for 75km south to Muttonbird Island at Coffs Harbour.
On the southern side of the river is the hamlet of Sandon with only 35 dwellings. The track from Sandon splits just out of the village and you have the choice of taking the Sandon Back Track or following the beach to the Illaroo campground. Please note that fresh water can be found at the intersection of the Minnie Water Road and the campground entrance approximately 2km south of the campground.
Getting there: Grafton-Maclean-Yamba and Maclean to Brooms Head, contact Busways 02 6645 8941; Grafton-Minnie Water/Wooli, contact Atwal Coaches 02 6644 5482.
NOTE: this is part of the four-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk and connects with Angourie Surfing Reserve to Brooms Head walk to the north and Illaroo to Wooli walk to the south.
More information
Directions: best walked north to south with the sun at your back. For map and brochure download, see the Yuraygir Coastal Walk.
Contact:
Grafton, Phone: 02 6641 1500
Yuraygir coastal walk
Wheelchair access: medium
Small sections of the walk are accessible
Follow the ancient wandering trails of Australia’s coastal emus on the multi-day Yuraygir coastal walk.
This colossal signposted track traverses the coastline from Angourie to Red Rock. The scenery and views along the way are diverse and astounding. You’ll encounter wildlife and wildflowers as you walk past heathland plains, long sandy beaches, tranquil creeks, lagoons, rocky headlands and even a marine park.
Tackle the full 65km with overnight camping stops along the way or break the track up into shorter segments. It’s best walked north to south with the sun at your back.
However you choose to undertake this journey through the traditional homelands of the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl nations, it’s unlikely you’ll ever forget it.
Itinerary
More information
Printable brochure and map
You can download the brochure and/or a map in PDF format to take with you:
Directions: best walked north to south with the sun at your back.
Contact:
Grafton, Phone: 02 6641 1500
