Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop
Wallingat National Park
Overview
For hard yet rewarding mountain biking, Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop offers scenic views, wildlife and walking in Wallingat National Park, south of Forster.
- Where
- Wallingat National Park in North Coast
- Distance
- 13km loop
- Time suggested
- 3hrs
- Grade
- Hard
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching
- Take care of vehicles if cycling along Whoota Road and Sugar Creek Road
- Please note, Sugar Creek may become impassable after heavy rain.
Cycling through the bush is one of life’s simple pleasures, and this scenic ride is bound to provide hours of enjoyment. Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop winds through a range of forest in Wallingat National Park near Forster. It’s perfect for adventurous mountain bikers or walkers who relish a heart pumping challenge with their scenic views.
Following Double Wharf track to Reedy Creek trail, you’ll cycle past casuarinas, paperbarks and cabbage tree palms teeming with wildlife. Inhale the fragrant fresh air and listen for the eery call of the catbird. You might see wonga pigeons, king parrots and wallabies.
As the cycling route ascends steeply the swamp forest gives way to eucalypts on the drier ridge. Reaching the lookout, enjoy the sublime 360-degree views as you catch your breath. Return the same way or for an extra challenge follow Sugar Creek Road west to the start.
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/cycling-trails/double-wharf-to-whoota-lookout-cycle-loop/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 Wallingat National Park in the North Coast region
Wallingat National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop is in Wallingat National Park. To get there from Forster:
- Travel 30km south along Lakes Way and turn left onto Sugar Creek Road
- Follow Sugar Creek Road past the turn-off to Whoota Lookout Road
- The gate to Double Wharf Road is just before the bridge over Boggy Creek
Alternatively:
- Start from the gate to Reedy Creek Road, off Whoota Lookout Road.
Parking
Parking is available at the start of Double Wharf Road or at the gate to Reedy Creek Road, off Whoota Lookout Road.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Wallingat National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
With temperatures slightly cooler, explore the network of gravel roads by foot or on a mountain bike.
Spring
With the wildflowers - including the purple blooms of the velvet mint-bush - coming out, this is a great time for birdwatching.
Summer
The weather is warm and sunny, so now's the time to pitch a tent and stay for a few days. Make the most of the boat ramp at Cockatoo picnic area Head to Sugar Creek picnic area and, after lunch, take a walk through the cool forest. .
Winter
Visitor numbers are down, so take the car along the park's unsealed roads and discover the forest, rivers and lake.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
45.2°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
-5°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
Sept
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
280.2mm
Maps and downloads
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
Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop is in Wallingat National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Ancient footprints
The 6,557ha of Wallingat National Park is part of the identity and spirituality, as well as a resource, for people of the Worimi nation. The Worimi People lived a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle and used the leaves of the cabbage palm for weaving baskets and its fibrous bark for making fishing line. They used many of the area's natural resources, including the freshwater lakes, stone outcrops, and the ocean. A central campsite was known to exist in the area now known as Coomba Park, although there are few other Aboriginal sites recorded within the park include the Bungwahl area.
Fun times
Whether you're after a relaxing time or something more adventurous, Wallingat is just the spot. Take to the gravel roads either on foot, in a car or on a bike – to explore the forests. You can swim, fish and paddle on Wallingat River. Pitch a tent in the campground and get away from it all for a few days in this naturally beautiful setting. Surrounding some of the picnic areas and campsites, you’ll find magnificent stands of trees. In the southeast corner of Wallingat, there are tall, straight flooded gums, as well as stands of cabbage palms. Find both during a walk from Sugar Creek picnic area. Some rare plants such as the liana woody climber, a climbing species that bears white flowers from August to May, can also be found here.
- Double Wharf trail Experience the scenic waterways and mountainous forests of Wallingat National Park along Double Wharf trail – perfect for walking or mountain bike riding.
- Wallingat Forest drive The 25km loop of Wallingat Forest drive, near Forster, is on unsealed roads that meander through forests, and excellent for cars, 4WDs, bicycles, walking and horse riding.
- Whoota Whoota lookout From Whoota Whoota lookout, easily accessible by car, you can see for miles. Take in scenic views of Wallingat’s eucalypt forests, Wallis Lake and 100km of coastline.
Life among the trees
More than 200 species of birds make Wallingat National Park a home. Walking through forest as well as stands of straight flooded gums, and cabbage palms, you'll hear birds singing. Noisy friarbirds, for instance, have a distinctive 'ya-kob' call, while a 'woop, woop, woop' sound signals the presence of the wonga pigeon. You might see blue wrens flitting through the trees, as well as king parrots and glossy black cockatoos. Wallingat is also a popular spot for the satin bowerbird – the males are black and shiny, the females are a plainer brown. They both, however, have startling lilac eyes.
- Double Wharf trail Experience the scenic waterways and mountainous forests of Wallingat National Park along Double Wharf trail – perfect for walking or mountain bike riding.
- Sugar Creek picnic area Sugar Creek picnic area is a family-friendly relaxation spot with easy walking trails through forested landscape, a leisurely drive from Forster and Pacific Palms.