Headland walking track
Saltwater National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Headland walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.7km return
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Steps
No steps
Gradient
Flat: The walk is flat along its length with a handrail at the end where the lookout is.
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The walk is along a 1.2m wide firetrail, which is hard-packed ground up to the lookout at the end.
At the lookout area, the track becomes a wooden boardwalk with wooden handrails on either side.
Getting there and parking
Headland walking track starts at Saltwater picnic area in Saltwater National Park. To get there:
- Take Old Bar Road from Taree/Pacific Highway
- Drive 10km east and turn right onto Saltwater Road
- Follow Saltwater Road past the village of Wallabi Point
- Saltwater picnic area is at the end of Saltwater Road
Parking
There's a bitumen carpark at Saltwater picnic area where the walk begins. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Saltwater National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Take walks around the headland and through to adjoining Khappinghat Nature Reserve.
Spring
Enjoy whale watching from the viewing platform at Saltwater Point from August through November.
Summer
Swim, surf and sunbathe on the beaches, canoe and kayak in the creek, or enjoy a picnic on the grass under the shady rainforest trees.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
45.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
8°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
-5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
280.2mm
Facilities
There are accessible toilets, accessible outdoor showers and accessible picnic tables at Saltwater picnic area, where this walk begins.
Seats and resting points
There's a bench at the lookout at the end of the walk. It does not have a backrest or armrests.
There's also a bench seat with a backrest at Saltwater picnic area, at the start of this walk.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- The walk is along a flat, 1.2m wide firetrail, which is hard-packed ground up to the lookout at the end. At the lookout area, the track becomes a wooden boardwalk with wooden handrails on either side.
- There's a bench seat at the lookout. It doesn't have backrests or armrests.
- There are accessible toilets, outdoor showers and picnic tables at Saltwater picnic area where this walk begins.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Operated by
- Taree office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6552 4097
- npws.manninggreatlakes@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 78 Hargreaves Drive, Taree NSW 2430
Park info
- in Saltwater National Park in the North Coast region
Saltwater National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to fire danger.