Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast

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Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
Solitary
Islands
coastal walk

               Photo: D. Young/OEH
Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
More information
                                                                                                     For information about a range of
                                                                                                     accommodation, transport and
                                                                                                     tour options:
                                                                                                     Coffs Coast Visitor Services
                                                                                                     P: 1300 369 070
                                                                                                     P: (02) 6648 4990
                                                                                                     E: tourism@coffscoast.com.au
                                                                                                     www.coffscoast.com.au
                                                                                                     For information about Moonee
                                                                                                     Beach, Corindi Beach and Red
                                                                                                     Rock Holiday Parks:
                                                                                                     www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au
                                                                                                     For information about Park Beach,
                                                                                                     Sawtell, Woolgoolga Beach and
                                                                                                     Woolgoolga Lakeside Holiday Parks:
                                                                                                     www.coffscoastholidayparks.com.au
                                                                                                     Beaches and headlands may be
                                                                                                     hazardous. Look after yourself and others
                                                                                                     in your care. Beaches are seasonally
                                                                                                     patrolled at: Sawtell Beach, Park Beach,
                                               Plan ahead                                            Diggers Beach, Sapphire and Woolgoolga.
    Solitary Islands coastal                   Transport. If you’re planning a                       www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au
    walk traverses 60km of                     one-way walk then you may need                        For information about Coffs Coast Regional
    spectacular beaches,                       to arrange pickup or drop a car off                   Park, Moonee Beach Nature Reserve,
    windswept headlands                        at your destination.                                  Yuraygir or Bongil Bongil national parks:
    and lush rainforest on the                 Check the tides. Walking along the beach              www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
    Coffs Coast.                               is easiest at low tide. Some areas best               Weather and tides
                                               walked at low tide include creek crossings
                                               at Arrawarra and Moonee Creek and                     For information about weather and tides
    This 3-4 day walk extends                                                                        www.bom.gov.au
                                               around rocks on Campbells Beach. Tide
    between the small coastal                  and weather: www.bom.gov.au
    village of Red Rock in the                                                                       For information on rips:
                                               Prepare for the weather. Sunscreen, sun               www.ripcurrents.com.au
    north and the charming
                                               glasses and a hat will provide protection             Dogs
    coastal village of Sawtell in              from the sun and wind. Remember that
    the south.                                 conditions can change rapidly.                        For everyone’s enjoyment, dogs in public
                                                                                                     places must generally be leashed and
                                               Water. Carry a water bottle; there are                under effective control. For information
                                               plenty of refill stops at the toilet blocks and       on leash-free areas:
It’s a paradise for ramblers, photographers,   picnic areas shown on the map.                        www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au
nature lovers and birdwatchers.                Food. Take a picnic or purchase                       Dogs are not permitted at: Moonee Beach
The Solitary Islands have long enjoyed         along the way. Join us in keeping                     Nature Reserve, the southern end of
protection as nature reserves, surrounded      this area beautiful by taking your rubbish            Woolgoolga Beach, Park Beach north,
by a marine park - a place where temperate     with you.                                             Diggers Beach, Emerald Beach south of
and tropical waters meet. Along the            In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)                Fiddamans Creek, Sandy Beach, Sawtell
coastline, parks and reserves safeguard                                                              Beach and Jetty Beach.
a coastal trail of idyllic golden beaches,
rocky headlands and lush rainforest.
Walk as much or as little as you want
Choose a small section and take
advantage of the local attractions or
facilities, or you may attempt the
entire walk in four days, with a choice
of accommodation along the way.

The lighthouse sign will guide you
Look for the lighthouse track markers to
guide you. There are around 200 markers
along the route, including signs with maps     Top: Macauleys Headland and Diggers Beach,        Bottom: Enjoy walking along pristine beaches
at key access points and on lookout signs.     Solitary Islands coastal walk (T. Denman/OEH)     (R. Cleary Seen Australia/OEH)
                                                                                                                                                  0940
Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
Photo: Seen Australia/OEH
Red Rock                                                                                Woolgoolga Headland
Turn back the clock and unwind                                                          Keep an eye out for whales
Stunning rock formations at the headland                                                Woolgoolga Headland affords spectacular
and mouth of the estuary lend the name                                                  views to the Solitary Islands, nearby
Red Rock to this authentic fishing and                                                  beaches and hinterland. Whales are
holiday village – an ideal place to enjoy                                               seen between May and November –
life at a quieter pace.                                                                 come watch the show and enjoy these
                                                                                        magnificent creatures as they pass
How to get there
                                                                                        unhindered along the whale highway.
Park outside the Red Rock Holiday Park
                                                                                        How to get there
on Lawson Street. A large sign near the
entrance to the park will guide you to                                                  Drive through to the end of Ocean Street
the beach access past the surf club                                                     and park on the headland. Or you can
to begin the walk.                                                                      leave your car in town and walk up to
                                                                                        the headland following the signs from
Track details: Red Rock to Arrawarra
                                                                                        the main beach.
Beach 10.2km, grade 3
                                                                                        Track details: Safety Beach to Woolgoolga
What’s available:
                                                                                        Headland 2.7km, Woolgoolga Headland to
•   Picnic area and playground by                                                       Sandy Beach 4.8km, grade 3
    Corindi River
                                                                                        What’s available:
•   General store
                                                                                        •   Picnic area and playground
•   Accommodation includes: camping,        Arrawarra Headland                              at Woolgoolga Beach
    cabins and holiday rentals
                                            A meeting place by the sea                  •   Cafes, restaurants and shops
Nearby is Yarrawarra Aboriginal
                                            The Gumbaynggirr people named this          •   Accommodation includes camping,
Cultural Centre, 140 Red Rock Road,
                                            Arrawarra, or meeting place – and it            cabins, motels and holiday rentals
Corindi Beach.
                                            continues to be a treasured spot for
                                            families and friends to gather. A return
                                            half day walk south is rewarded with
                                            breathtaking views from Ocean View
                                            and Mullaway headlands.
                                            How to get there
                                            Turn north into Arrawarra Road off
                                            Mullaway Drive and continue to the end.
                                            Track details: Arrawarra Beach to Safety
                                            Beach 5.8km, grade 3
                                            What’s available:
                                            •   Picnic area
                                            •   Accommodation includes holiday
                                                rentals and camping and cabins across
                                                the creek and down the beach
                                            •   General store at nearby Mullaway
                                                                                                                                                             0940
Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
Photo: Seen Australia/OEH
    Look-At-Me-Now Headland

                                             Moonee Beach
                                             Birds aplenty
                                             Moonee Creek is a hotspot for
                                             birdwatching along the Solitary Island
                                             Coastal Walk. You can see many varieties,
                                             including shorebirds, birds of prey and
                                             waders. If heading north, crossing the
                                             creek can present a challenge and you can
                                             expect to get wet. It is best tackled at low
                                             tide for a waist-deep crossing.
                                             How to get there
                                             Turn east into Moonee Beach Road
                                             and continue to the end.
                                             Track details: Moonee Beach to Hills
Look At Me Now                               Beach 7km, grade 3, check tides
                                             What’s available:
See for yourself
                                             •   Picnic area
Look At Me Now is a place of many stories
and a fascinating area to investigate. You   •   Accommodation includes camping
can follow a short loop trail around the         and cabins
headland, a significant Aboriginal site.
                                             •   Shopping centre near the highway           Korora
Appreciate the spectacular vista over the
ocean across to South Solitary Island                                                       Explore a little further
with its iconic lighthouse. Absorb vistas
                                                                                            Korora means stormy seas, a place to feel
of deserted Moonee Beach, the village of
                                                                                            energy from the ocean before you explore
Emerald Beach and Mount Coramba and
                                                                                            the headlands and rainforests through
surrounding mountains out west.
                                                                                            to Charlesworth Bay. Further afield you’ll
How to get there                                                                            discover Diggers Head and Diggers
                                                                                            Beach with its rolling surf.
Turn east off the Pacific Highway onto
Fiddaman Road, turn right at Dammerel                                                       How to get there
Crescent and continue to the carpark.
                                                                                            Normal Hill picnic area is at the end of
Track details: Sandy Beach to Look At                                                       Norman Hill Drive. Turn off the Pacific
Me Now Headland 4km, Look At Me                                                             Highway onto James Small Drive, east
Now Headland to Moonee Beach 5.5km,                                                         onto Korora Bay Drive, north onto Links
grade 3                                                                                     Avenue and east on to Norman Hill Drive.

What’s available in nearby Emerald Beach:                                                   Track details: Hills Beach to Charlesworth
                                                                                            Bay 1.5km, grade 3
•   Picnic area and playground
                                                                                            What’s available:
•   Accommodation includes holiday
    rentals, camping areas across the                                                       •   Picnic area and playground
    creek and down the beach
                                                                                            •   Accommodation includes resorts,
•   Café and general store                                                                      motels and holiday rentals
                                                                                                                                                              0940
Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
Photo: Seen Australia/OEH
    Park Beach

                                                Coffs Jetty
                                                Everything at your fingertips
                                                Coffs Jetty is a thriving hub of activity, a
                                                focal point for the community and visitors.
                                                Take a stroll along the historic Jetty
                                                foreshores that reveal the maritime heritage
                                                of the town. Stroll along the Marina and the
                                                Northern Breakwall and admire the scenic
                                                harbour views. The hilly island dominating
                                                this view is Muttonbird Island Nature
                                                Reserve, home to thousands of wedge-
                                                tailed shearwaters. Its walking track offers
                                                exceptional views back to Coffs Harbour,
                                                or book on a Discovery tour to learn more
                                                about the island and its birdlife.
                                                How to get there:
Diggers                                         Turn east off Harbour Drive to Marina Drive.   Bonville Headland, Sawtell
Lots to do                                      Track details: Park Beach Reserve              Enjoy the ambience on tap
Claim your patch of sand on popular             to Coffs Jetty 1.4km, grade 1
                                                                                               Sawtell is a cosmopolitan seaside
Diggers Beach. It’s a top place for families,   What’s available:                              holiday village set between two creeks
where children swim under the watchful
                                                •   Picnic areas and playgrounds               and headlands. Walks on Boambee and
eye of lifeguards during school holidays.
                                                                                               Bonville headlands offer striking views
And there’s a great playground and picnic       •   Cafes, restaurants and shops               to the Solitary Islands and Boambee
area. If you want to try surfing, there are
                                                                                               Creek to the north and Bonville Creek
expert instructors to assist.                   •   Accommodation includes camping,
                                                                                               to the south. After your morning coffee,
                                                    cabins, motels and holiday rentals
Take a break from the beach and walk                                                           there are plenty of options for swimming,
to nearby Macauleys or Charlesworth                                                            fishing, canoeing or kayaking, picnicking
Bay and take in the spectacular scenery                                                        and general lazing about.
on the headlands.
                                                                                               How to get there:
How to get there
                                                                                               From First Avenue, turn southeast into
Turn east off the Pacific Highway onto                                                         Boronia Street. Drive through to the
Diggers Beach Road opposite the Big                                                            end where parking is available on
Banana and drive through to the end.                                                           Bonville Headland.

Track details: Charlesworth Bay to Park                                                        Track details: Coffs Jetty to Boambee
Beach Reserve 4.5km, grade 3                                                                   Headland 8km, Boambee Headland to
                                                                                               Bonville Headland 3km, grade 3
What’s available:
                                                                                               What’s available:
•    Picnic area and playground
                                                                                               •   Picnic areas and playgrounds
•    Cafes and restaurants at resorts
                                                                                               •   Cafes, restaurants and shops
•    Accommodation includes resorts
     and holiday rentals                                                                       •   Accommodation includes camping,
                                                                                                   cabins, motels and holiday rentals
                                                                                                                                                                    0940

This publication was produced in partnership with NSW Environmental Trust and Coffs Harbour City Council.
Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
P
                         Solitary Islands coastal walk
                         Walk Overview

                                                                                                                             YU R AYGI R
                                                                                                                           NAT ION A L PA R K

                                                                                                                                     Red Rock
                                                           Hutleys Knob
                                                           #

                                                                                                                               Corindi Beach                                   NO RT H- W ES T
                                                                                                                                                                             SO LI TA RY IS L A N D
       Glenreagh                                                                                                                                                             NAT UR E R E SE R VE
                   SH ER WO O D
                     NAT U R E
                    R ES ER V E                                                                                        Arrawarra
                                                                                                                                             Arrawarra
                                                                                                                                             Headland
                                                    C O N G L OM E R AT E                            WEDDING
                                                           S TAT E                                  BE L L S S TAT E                           Mullaway Beach
                                                          FO RE S T                                    FO R E S T                              and Headland
                                                                                                                                       Cabins Beach
                                                                                                                      Woolgoolga
                                                                                                    Knobys
                                                                                                    Lookout
                                                                                                                  Woolgoolga
                                                                                                                        Lake                     Woolgoolga Beach
                                                                                                                                                 and Headland

                     Nana Glen

                                                                                                                        CO F F S C OA ST
BA G AWA                                                                                                               R EG I ON A L PA R K
 S TATE
                                                                                                Boyds Hill
FO RE S T                                                                                      #
                                                                                                                                        Bare Bluff     SO UT H W ES T
                                          LO W E R                                     Stony Hill
                                                                                               #                                                     SO LI TA RY I S L A N D
                                                                                                                 Emerald
                                       BU C C A S TATE                                                            Beach             Dammerels        NAT UR E R E SE R VE
                                          FO R E S T
                                                                                             Moonee Creek
                                                                                                                                ®   History Walk
                                                                                               canoe route                      ®  Look At Me Now
                                                                                                                                   Headland walk
    NANA                                                                                                     ¯
C RE E K S TATE      Coramba                                                                                      MO O NE E B E A C H
   FO R E S T                                                                               Moonee
                                                                                            Beach                NAT U R E R ES ER VE
                                            Mount Coramba                                                                                                            SO UT H
                                            #                            OR A RA                                 Green Bluff
                                                                                                                                                              SO LI TA RY I SL A N D
                                                                      E A S T S TAT E
                                                                         FO R E S T                                                                            HI S TO R I C S IT E
OR A RA W E S T                                                                                           Solitary Islands
    S TATE                                                                                           ®    coastal walk

  FO R E S T                                                                                                            SPL I T
                                                     UL ID A R R A
                                                     NATI ON A L             Korora                              SOL I TA RY I SL A N D
                                                       PA R K                                                    NAT UR E R ES ER V E
                      Mount Browne
                             #

                                                                                                        Diggers Beach
                                                Red Hill
                                            #

                                                                                              Park Beach
                                                       Roberts Hill
                                                      #
                     BO A M BE E                                           Coffs               MU T T O N B I R D I S L A N D
   Aurania
   #                   S TAT E                                            Harbour               NAT U R E R E SE R V E
                      FO R E S T
                                                                            Beacon Hill #             Eastern Side
                                                                                                      lookout
                         Little
                         Boambee
                         #                                                         Boambee
                                                                                   Beach                                                             South Pacific
  TU C KE R S
                                                                                                                                                        Ocean
 N O B S TAT E
   FO R E S T
                                                      Sawtell             Boambee Head

                                                                                                                                                         Ä
                                                    Bongil             Sawtell Beach
                                                    picnic area
                                 Bonville

                                                                                                                                                      I
                                                                      Bonville
                                                                                                                                                                   0          2           4          6          8
                                  Creek                               Headland
   P IN E C RE E K
       S TATE                                                                                                                                                                        Kilometres

      FO R E S T                            BO N GI L
                                                                                                                                                      MAP INFORMATION This map does not provide detailed
                                            BO N GI L                                                                                                 information on topography, alerts or opening times and may
                                        NATI O NA L PA R K                                                                                            not be suitable for some activities. Map published: 19/09/2017

         NPWS reserve                                      Sub-arterial road                                 Picnic area                             ®     Walking track
         Other reserves                                    Distributor road                                  Surfing spot
         Motorway                                          Local road                                        Swimming spot
         Primary road                                      Fishing spot                                      Visitor centre
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       0940

         Arterial road                                     Lookout                                  ¯        Canoe/kayak trail
Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast Solitary Islands coastal walk - Coffs Coast
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