Wilsons Headland walking track
Yuraygir National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Wilsons Headland walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
3km one-way
Time
45min - 1hr 15min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills: The walk is mostly flat with gentle hills, except for the part at the headland where some steps take you down a steeper descent.
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The track is 1-2m wide and the surface changes along the length of the walk:
- The track begins as hard-packed ground near Boorkoom campground
- There are timber boardwalks in several places and a short stretch of fibre-reinforced plastic
- There are sections of sand along the track
- There's a gravel section at Wilsons Headland picnic area.
Steps
Occasional steps: There's a set of 28 timber steps at the point where the track stops stops going south and curves around the headland to head to Wilsons Headland picnic area.
The steps don't have handrails and can be uneven.
Other barriers
Pinch points: The elevated timber and fibre-reinforced plastic walkways along the track narrow the walk from 2m-wide to 1.5m-wide.
Accessible options
If you start the walk from Boorkoom campground, the first 2km is suitable for prams, wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility. This part of the walk has an elevated timber boardwalk with ocean views.
If you start the track from Wilsons Headland picnic area, there's an 800m gravel section that's mostly flat, with 2 steep sections.
Getting there and parking
Wilsons Headland walking track starts at Boorkoom campground in the Minnie Water precinct of Yuraygir National Park. To get there:
- From Grafton, drive southwest along Pacific Highway.
- After about 12km, turn left at Eight Mile Lane.
- Follow Eight Mile Lane as it becomes Wooli Road (keep right) for another 29km.
- Turn left at Diggers Camp Road and continue for about 7km
Parking
Parking is available in a grass carpark at Boorkoom campground and in hard-packed ground and roadbase carparks at Wilsons Headland picnic area.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Yuraygir National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Autumn is the perfect time of year to go beach fishing along the park's coastline.
Spring
The park's heathlands provide a spectacular display of wildflowers. Check them out on your choice of walking track, including the Wilsons Headland walk and, of course, the Yuraygir coastal walk.
Summer
Visit in summer to make the most of the park's countless beaches and waterways. Swim, surf or snorkel – cooling sea breezes provide welcome relief in hot weather.
Winter
Plan a winter trip to go whale watching. The sight of migrating whales swimming north to warmer waters is second-to-none, and there are magnificent viewing points at Red Cliffs lookout and Brooms Head.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
42.5°C
Winter temperature
Average
9°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
2.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
300mm
Facilities
There are accessible non-flush toilets and picnic tables at both Boorkoom campground and Wilsons Headland picnic area, where this walk begins and ends.
Seats and resting points
There are 3 bench seats with backrests along the track.
One is around 200m from Boorkoom campground, one is roughly halfway along the walk and the third is where the steps are at the headland near Wilsons Headland picnic area.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- If you start this track from Boorkoom campground, the first 2km is suitable for wheelchairs, prams and visitors with limited mobility.
- Some assistance may be required at times as you make your way along the natural surface of the path.
- There are seats and lookouts along the track where you can rest.
- If accessing this track from Wilsons Headland picnic area, there is 800m of gravel path. The path is mostly flat with gentle hills, but assistance may be needed along 2 steep sections.
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
- Grafton office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6641 1500
- npws.clarence@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Level 4, 49 Victoria Street, Grafton NSW 2460
Park info
- in Yuraygir National Park in the North Coast region
Yuraygir National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day.
Buy annual pass