Wilsons Headland & Wooli
Guide updated
The park’s best short lookout walk plus the Wooli River — the second commercial boat crossing on the coastal walk and a village resupply.
- Best for: Whale watching May–October, wildflowers, coastal-walk midpoint, kayak on Wooli Wooli River
- Time: Half day for Wilsons Headland; overnight in Wooli if walking through
- Wooli via the Wooli Road access from the Pacific Highway. Wilsons Headland picnic area via Diggers Camp Road from the Wooli / Minnie Water system.
Verify conditions on NSW National Parks → · Park alerts
Wilsons Headland & Wooli — Yuraygir coastline panorama
Maurice van Creij · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wilsons Headland — the short walk
This is the walk to recommend when someone wants Yuraygir views without a multi-day commitment. Official: 3 km one-way, 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, Grade 3, linking Boorkoom campground and Wilsons Headland picnic area. Lookout platforms have seats. Wildflowers late winter to early summer. Whale window May–October on this track page (park overview says May–September — treat the season as a window and [VERIFY]).
Wooli as a midpoint
Wooli is a genuine midpoint: food, commercial beds, and the Wooli River crossing. Official coastal-walk visitor info: call Wooli River Boat Hire on 0439 409 909. Confirm before you walk. Safest crossing on an incoming tide.
If the Red Rock / Corindi crossing is unsafe, finishing at Wooli is a sensible plan. There is no commercial boat service at Red Rock / Corindi.
Official segments through here
Illaroo to Wooli: 14 km one-way, Grade 4, 4 hrs 30 min–5 hrs 30 min. Wooli to Red Rock: 15.5 km, Grade 5, 5 hrs 30 min–6 hrs 30 min — the hardest official block.
Rocky Point walking track is the short add-on: 1.8 km return, Grade 3, start Illaroo South picnic area. Check live alerts before a cliff-section walk.
Whale window wording
Wilsons Headland track page says May–October. The park overview emphasises May–September from Red Cliffs lookout and Brooms Head. Treat it as a season and verify the week you travel. Stay on platforms.
Highlights at a glance
- Wilsons Headland walking track — 3 km one-way, Grade 3
- Barrier-free lookouts and picnic area
- Wooli village and Wooli River Boat Hire (0439 409 909 — [VERIFY])
- Rocky Point campground nearby
Practical tips
- Book the Wooli boat the day before, not from a headland with no reception.
- Rocky Point campground is a smaller official option — book on NPWS.
- Bring binoculars in winter.
- Wooli is a legitimate coastal-walk finish if Corindi is unsafe.
- Incoming tide for the Wooli crossing (official safer window).
Facilities & services
- Wilsons Headland picnic area — toilets, picnic, BBQ
- Rocky Point campground — toilets (confirm booking page)
- Wooli village — shops, commercial stays, boat hire (not park-managed)
Confirm toilets, parking and open facilities on the day via official sources and on-site signage.
Walks & lookouts nearby
Grades, times and open/closed status change — open each guide and verify on NSW National Parks before you go.
Wilsons Headland
easyThe park’s best short walk: Boorkoom campground to Wilsons Headland picnic area with barrier-free lookout platforms, seats, ocean views and a May–October whale window. Part of the longer coastal walk but complete on its own.
- Grade
- Grade 3 · easy–moderate
- Time
- 45 min – 1 hr 15 min
- Distance
- 3 km one-way
View guide →
Illaroo–Wooli
hardOfficial central coastal-walk segment: 14 km one-way, Grade 4, 4 hrs 30 min–5 hrs 30 min past Wilsons Headland country into Wooli. Village finish makes this a clean two-car or booked-boat day.
- Grade
- Grade 4 · coastal-walk segment
- Time
- 4 hrs 30 min – 5 hrs 30 min
- Distance
- 14 km one-way
View guide →
Wooli–Red Rock
hardOfficial hardest coastal-walk block: 15.5 km one-way, Grade 5, 5 hrs 30 min–6 hrs 30 min. Wooli boat, Station Creek wade, Pebbly country, and no commercial boat at Corindi / Red Rock.
- Grade
- Grade 5 · most remote segment
- Time
- 5 hrs 30 min – 6 hrs 30 min
- Distance
- 15.5 km one-way
View guide →
Rocky Point
easyOfficial short walk: 1.8 km return, Grade 3, 30 min–1 hr 30 min. Starts at Illaroo South picnic area and passes Illaroo and Rocky Point campgrounds. No wheelchair access.
- Grade
- Grade 3 · short coastal
- Time
- 30 min – 1 hr 30 min
- Distance
- 1.8 km return
View guide →
Itineraries that use this area
5–7 hours including Grafton / Wooli driving
One day: Wilsons Headland
Drive the central access, walk Wilsons Headland 3 km one-way (or out-and-back), picnic at the official picnic area, optional Wooli village stop.
4–5 days, Angourie → Red Rock (or Wooli finish)
4–5 days: Yuraygir coastal walk
Full flagship walk with a Wooli finish as the default safe plan if Corindi / Red Rock cannot be crossed. Day shape on the trail page — this itinerary is the booking and tide checklist.
Map
Orientation only — confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.
Interactive map — pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.
FAQ — Wilsons / Wooli
Tap a question to expand the answer.
Do I need a walk permit?
Official baseline: no permit for the coastal walk or day walks beyond vehicle entry. A Trip Intention Form is recommended. [VERIFY] any future change on NPWS.
How long is Illaroo to Wooli?
Official: 14 km one-way, Grade 4, 4 hrs 30 min–5 hrs 30 min. Wilsons Headland is a sit-down in the middle if you start at Boorkoom / the picnic area instead.
Is Wooli–Red Rock Grade 4?
No. Official Wooli to Red Rock walking track is Grade 5, 15.5 km, 5 hrs 30 min–6 hrs 30 min. The full coastal walk is still described as Grade 4 overall.
Where does Rocky Point track start?
Official start is Illaroo South picnic area, not the Rocky Point campground pin. 1.8 km return, Grade 3, 30 min–1 hr 30 min. No wheelchair access.
Stays, tours & gear near Wilsons / Wooli
Optional next steps after you plan this area — park fees and official NPWS bookings are never affiliated.
Nearby stays
Yamba (primary) · Wooli · Coffs Harbour
- Hotels & stays in YambaNorthern gateway — Angourie and Lake Arragan day trips
- WooliCentral village on the coastal walk
- Coffs HarbourSouthern services hub for Station Creek / Pebbly
All Booking.com links open in a new tab and may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official NPWS camping and cottage bookings are never affiliated.
Guided tours
Optional — useful if you want a local operator instead of self-driving
- Coffs whale cruise (2 hr)
- Sunset kayak eco tour
- Coffs Treetops ropes course
- Browse more north-coast tours
A tour does not replace checking NSW National Parks alerts, weather, or cliff safety yourself.
What to bring
Practical kit for beaches, heath, boats and changeable coastal weather
- 2–3 L water capacityDrinking water is only listed at some official campgrounds — carry between sites
- Sun hat + SPF50Open beaches and heath have little shade; summer has recorded 42.5°C
- Grip trail shoesBeaches, rock platforms and sandy tracks are hard on ordinary sneakers
- Dry bag for river crossingsBoat and wade crossings on the coastal walk soak packs if you are careless
- Light rain / wind shellMarch can dump huge rain; headlands stay windy even on “fine” days
- Day pack 20–30 LWater, extra food for tide delays, first-aid and a dry layer
- First-aid + tick/snake awarenessCoastal heath and forest — pack for snake and tick awareness, not as an afterthought
- Tide chart / offline mapsRock platforms only at low tide; reception is limited — screenshot Yamba tides
- PLB or sat messenger (optional)Worth considering for the multi-day walk or Pebbly / Shelley Head — not a legal requirement
- HeadlampShort winter days and village-to-camp finishes after dusk
- Power bankPayphones exist in villages and at Sandon; do not rely on charging in camp
- Spare socksBeach walking and creek wades — dry feet keep a long day civil
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