Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head)
Broken Head Nature Reserve
Overview
Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.
- Where
- Broken Head Nature Reserve in North Coast
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Distance
- 1.6km return
- Time suggested
- 30 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 2
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- What to
bring - Sunscreen, hat, drinking water
- Please note
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch or whale watch.
Meander through the lush rainforest and you’ll emerge at this spectacular setting. Overlooking Kings Beach, you can’t find a better spot to sit and contemplate the natural beauty around you. The views are incredible – a wonderful coastal panorama of secluded beaches, rocky coves and dense rainforest.
In winter and spring, it’s a fantastic vantage point to spot migrating whales, and great for birdwatching too. Watch for the clash air and sea wildlife as white-bellied sea eagles dive for food. Also, during this time, the headland bursts with colour when the wildflowers are out.
Take a moment to learn about the Aboriginal story behind Three Sisters, which tells the tale of three sisters who were turned into the rocky outcrops near the headland. Alternatively, you could just stroll along the beach, dip your toes into the glistening blue waters, and enjoy the serenity under a shady tree at the rainforest edge.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/three-sisters-walking-track-broken-head/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Broken Head Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Broken Head Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$4 per vehicle per hour. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Cash and credit cards accepted at Byron Bay Office.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head).
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1.6km return
Time
30 - 45min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Gentle hills
Quality of path
Formed track: The walk is 1.2m-wide and mostly gravel, with a section at the end that's concrete.
Steps
Occasional steps: There are sets of steps throughout the walk in sets of between 3 to 16, with a long set of 50 steps at the end of the walk.
Other barriers
Pinch points: There are points where the track narrows due to tree roots, rocks and plants.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
On entering Broken Head Nature Reserve:
- Continue 100m from the entrance to the picnic area at Broken Head
- Three Sisters walking track starts from the southern end of the picnic area
Parking
Parking is available in a paved carpark at Broken Head picnic area, at the start of the walking track. The carpark includes 2 accessible parking spaces.
It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
By public transport
The 143 Grafton to Byron Bay bus line and the 637 Byron Bay Interchange to Sunrise Boulevard bus line have stops around 3.3km away from Broken Head Nature Reserve.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Broken Head Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful setting at Broken Head picnic area. Enjoy a game of beach cricket or explore the wonders of the tideline.
Spring
Enjoy the incredible view from Broken Head headland as humpback whales and their new calves breach and blow as they make their way south.
Summer
Get away from the crowds and spend the day picnicking at the beach, walk through the lush rainforest, and enjoy spectacular views from the headland.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
19°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
35.1°C
Winter temperature
Average
11°C and 20°C
Lowest recorded
3.3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
652mm
Facilities
There are accessible flush toilets, an outdoor beach shower, barbecues and picnic tables at Broken Head picnic area, north-west of the start of the track.
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
- Three Sisters walking track is a 1.2m-wide track with gentle hills that's mostly gravel and has a section at the end that's concrete.
- People with reduced mobility may find the walk challenging because of the number of steps. There are around 140 steps throughout the walk in sets of between 3 to 16, with a long set of 50 steps at the end of the walk.
- There are accessible toilets and 2 accessible parking spaces at Broken Head picnic area, where this walk begins.
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
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.
Learn more
Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) is in Broken Head Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Broken Head Nature Reserve is co-managed by NPWS and the Arakwal People, acknowledging the cultural significance of this land to Aboriginal People. Three Sisters, previously known as Cocked Hat Rocks, is an important cultural site representing a story about a young Aboriginal woman who was caught in a strong current when swimming in this area. When her sister attempted to save her, they both drowned and were transformed into stone. This story was told to warn children not to swim in the strong and dangerous currents here.
- Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.
Botanical wonders
Whether you’re a botanist or just a nature-lover, it’s not hard to appreciate the incredible biodiversity at Broken Head. This small reserve protects three endangered plant communities: littoral and lowland rainforest, headland grasses and woodlands. There are 240 different plant species here, 12 of which are threatened in NSW and six in Australia, such as the white lace flower rainforest tree, which you might see standing tall along the entrance road in summer dotted with fluffy white ball flowers.
- Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.
Rich bird and animal life
Broken Head Nature Reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and animal-lovers. Thanks to the plentiful supply of food on the NSW North Coast, the area is visited by many migratory and nomadic birds, flying-foxes and micro-bats. Three Sisters lookout is a great place for birdwatching and spotting migrating whales in winter and spring. Wandering along the beaches and in the rainforest, you’re sure to meet locals like brush turkeys patrolling the understorey in their search for food. But you might also be lucky enough to spot threatened species like the colourful wompoo fruit-dove, with its spectacular green, purple, and yellow plumage.
- Broken Head picnic area Indulge in some picnicking, swimming, surfing, and birdwatching, while discovering a secluded paradise where lush rainforest meets the beach.
- Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.