Woody Head cottages and cabins

Bundjalung National Park

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Overview

Woody Head cottages and cabins are retro beach shacks between the rainforest and beach in Bundjalung National Park with swimming, paddling and fishing right nearby.

Accommodation Details
Accommodation type Cottage Cabin
Where 92 Woody Head Road, Woody Head, NSW, 2466 - in Bundjalung National Park
Bedrooms 2
Maximum guests 6
Facilities Amenities block, cafe/kiosk, drinking water, showers, electric power
What to bring Bed sheets, blankets, towels
Entry fees

Park entry fees are not included in your accommodation fees.

Please note
  • Check in after 2pm. Check out before 10am.
  • You can buy firewood at Woody Head campground kiosk.

Awaken to the sound of the waves in your very own retro beach shack in Woody Head campground at Bundjalung National Park. Nestled between the rainforest, the river, and the beach, the rustic charm of Woody Head Cottages and Cabins makes them a perfect destination for a no-fuss holiday on the North Coast.

The idyllic location lends itself to exploring the golden beaches that stretch for mile upon unspoilt mile. Spend your days walking, fishing, swimming and snorkelling. If you’re feeling adventurous, bring the canoe for a day of paddling the river – try the nearby Jerusalem Creek paddle route. When it’s time to cool off, experience the shady delights of unique coastal rainforest right outside the back door.

As the sun goes down, spark up the barbecue and dine al fresco beneath the stars.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Aerial view of Woody Head campground and adjoining beach, Bundjalung National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    Woody Head campground

    Woody Head campground is one of the best places for a weekend getaway camping by the beach. Bring your caravan, camper trailer or tent and don’t forget your fishing rod.

  • Exterior view of Forest House balcony at twilight, Bundjalung National Park. Photo: J Spencer/OEH

    Forest House

    Forest House is great for families or groups looking for a North Coast getaway. It’s nestled in Bundjalung National Park, near Yamba, surrounded by rainforest, rivers and beaches.

  • Exterior view of Swamp House and Bunkhouse, Bundjalung National Park. Photo: J Spencer/OEH

    Swamp House and Bunkhouse

    Swamp House and Bunkhouse are perfect for large groups exploring Bundjalung National Park, near Yamba. Surrounded by rainforest and close to the beach, enjoy nearby swimming, walks, fishing and paddling.

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/woody-head-cottages-and-cabins/local-alerts

Bookings

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Woody Head cottages and cabins.

Getting there and parking

Woody Head cottages and cabins are in Woody Head campground in Bundjalung National Park. To get there:

  • From the north, take Iluka Road turnoff, 72km south of Ballina on Pacific Highway.
  • From the south, take Iluka Road turn off, 56km north of Grafton.
  • Drive along Illuka Road, through Woombah, over the Esk River Bridge for 13km, then follow the signs to Bundjalung National Park and Woody Head campground.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available at your cottage or cabin.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Bundjalung National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Spring

Head to Iluka Bluff for a spectacular coastal view of the park, beaches and the mouth of the river – keep your eyes peeled for whales on their return migration.

Winter

Escape to the wintersun for a family camping holiday, it should still be warm enough for a swim so remember to bring your cozzie.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

20°C and 26°C

Highest recorded

42.5°C

Winter temperature

Average

12°C and 21°C

Lowest recorded

2.7°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

Between January and March

Driest month

Between August and October

Facilities

  • There are 5 cottages and 2 cabins.
  • All cottages and cabins are fully furnished, and include gas stove/oven, fridge, kettle and crockery/cutlery.
  • Some cottages and cabins have private bathroom amenities and/or a television.
  • A list of all facilities in your cottage or cabin will be provided in your booking confirmation.
  • There's no DVD, stereo, heating or laundry facilities.
  • Guests can also use the facilities available in Woody Head campground.
  • Hammonds Cottage: Sleeps up to 6 guests. Two bedrooms: 2 x double, 1 x single bunk bed. No bathroom facilities.
  • Cabins 2A and 2B: Sleep up to 4 guests each. Each has 1 bedroom: 1 x double, 1 x single bunk bed. No bathroom facilities.
  • Cottage 3: Sleeps up to 4 guests. One bedroom: 1 x double, 1 x single bunk bed. 1 bathroom.
  • Cottages 4 and 5: Sleep up to 5 guests each. Each has 2 bedrooms: 1 x queen, 1 x double, 1 x single bed. Each has bathroom facilities and a television.
  • Cottage 6: Sleeps up to 5 guests. Two bedrooms: 1 x queen, 1 x double, 1 x single bed. There is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and a television.
  • Please ensure you leave your cottage/cabin clean and tidy with all kitchen items washed up and put away. Additional fees may be charged for any unreasonable cleaning required or missing/broken items.

Amenities

2 amenity blocks with hot showers ($1 coin for 4 minutes) and flush toilets are located close to the cottages and cabins.

Cafe/kiosk

There's a kiosk nearby at Woody Head campground.

Drinking water

Town drinking water is available in all cottages and cabins.

Showers

Showers in amenities block are $1 for 4 minutes.

Electric power

All cottages and cabins have power.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Beach safety

Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

  • There is a Telstra pay phone near Woody Head office.

Paddling safety

To make your paddling or kayaking adventure safer and more enjoyable, check out these paddling safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • Hammonds Cottage: Not wheelchair-accessible.
  • Cabin 2A: Not wheelchair-accessible.
  • Cabin 2B: Cabin 2B is wheelchair-accessible; assistance may be required to access the cabin. There are no private bathroom facilities. Guests can use the nearby wheelchair-accessible amenity blocks.
  • Cottage 3: Not wheelchair-accessible.
  • Cottage 4: Not wheelchair-accessible.
  • Cottage 5: Not wheelchair-accessible.
  • Cottage 6: There is ramp access and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom.

Prohibited

  • Please be considerate of others and keep noise to a reasonable level at all times. Minimum noise levels apply from 10pm to 7am.
  • Amplified music is not permitted.

Generators

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

Woody Head cottages and cabins is in Bundjalung National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

An ancient landscape

Gummigurrah walking track, Bundjalung National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

At Bundjalung National Park you can visit Gummigurrah, an area that was used as a winter camping ground by the Bandjalung People. This park is one of a group where the Bandjalang People's native title rights have been recognised and is only the third determination of native title rights in New South Wales. Native title rights come from the Bandjalang People's traditional laws and customs and legally recognise the Bandjalang People's connection to Country. This means that these lands will continue to be places of ceremony, learning and inspiration for generations to come.

Meet the locals

Silver banksia (Banksia marginata), Bundjalung National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

The varied habitat of Bundjalung National Park is home to over 140 species of fauna. Wake to the morning melodies of eastern whip-birds, bower birds and the rare barred cuckoo-shrike. At dawn and dusk, you might find eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies congregating around your campsites. Scour the tops of nearby trees and you might also catch a glimpse of a sleeping koala or two.

  • Iluka Bluff lookout Stay as long as you like to enjoy the views at Iluka Bluff lookout, near Yamba. Not only is it an excellent whale watching spot, it’s also a great place to picnic.
  • Jerusalem Creek walk Keep your eyes peeled for birds nesting along the creek along the Jerusalem Creek walk. Enjoy the hike as a day walk or shorter walk and finish up with a picnic lunch.

Water world

Black Rocks campground, Bundjalung National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Bundjalung protects a variety of environments that feature water, including beaches, rivers, wetlands and lagoons. You'll find different types of plants, animals and birds in each one; look for coast banksia, coast she-oak and coastal wattle on the dunes that back onto the beach. Immerse yourself in this world by canoeing the waterways, rambling in the rock pools and swimming in the ocean.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • White-bellied sea eagle. Photo: John Turbill

    White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

    White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

  • An eastern ground parrot bird's green and yellow colouring camouflages it amongst grassland. Photo: Lachlan Hall © Lachlan Hall

    Eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus)

    The eastern ground parrot is a beautiful, ground-dwelling native bird that lives in low heathland habitat along the NSW North and South coasts and escarpments. It’s listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.

  • Peron's tree frog. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    Peron's tree frog (Litoria peroni)

    Peron’s tree frog is found right across NSW. These tree-climbing and ground-dwelling Australian animals can quickly change colour, ranging from pale green-grey by day, to a reddish brown with emerald green flecks at night. The male frog has a drill-like call, which has been described as a 'maniacal cackle’.

  • Emu, Paroo Darling National Park. Photo: John Spencer

    Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

    The largest of Australian birds, the emu stands up to 2m high and is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus live in pairs or family groups. The male emu incubates and rears the young, which will stay with the adult emus for up to 2 years.

  • Koala. Photo: Lucy Morrell

    Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

    One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.

  • Lace monitor, Daleys Point walking track, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

    Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

    One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.

  • Profile view of a grey-headed flying-fox flying past eucalupt trees. Photo: Shane Ruming © Shane Ruming

    Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

    The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.

  • Five pelicans stand at the beach shore in Bundjalung National Park as the sun rises. Photo: Nick Cubbin © DPE

    Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

    The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)