Double Wharf trail
Wallingat National Park
Overview
Experience the scenic waterways and mountainous forests of Wallingat National Park along Double Wharf trail – perfect for walking or mountain bike riding.
- Where
- Wallingat National Park in North Coast
- Distance
- 5.5km one-way
- Time suggested
- 1hr 30min
- Grade
- Easy
- What to
bring - Sunscreen, hat, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching.
Wallingat National Park, near Forster, features stunning waterways and mountainous forests, and the best way to see them is by following the meandering Double Wharf trail either on foot or by mountain bike. The relatively flat trail heads north along the eastern side of Boggy Creek and Wallingat River, through a water crossing at Sugar Creek, and onto the scenic Reedy Creek trail.
Along the way, you’ll pass through swampy casuarina forests and tall paperbarks, with dry eucalypt forest on the higher ridges. Bring some binoculars for birdwatching – egrets and cormorants frolic on Wallingat River, while yellow-tail black cockatoos are attracted by the fruiting casuarinas. There’s also a chance you’ll spot echidnas and wallabies foraging in the undergrowth.
This is a great route to explore at any time of year. Bring plenty of water and a packed lunch for a quiet picnic along the way. And, if you’re up for a loop walk or mountain bike ride after lunch, you can extend your route to include Whoota Lookout Road and Sugar Creek Road.
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-trail/local-alerts
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 trail.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
On entering Wallingat National Park:
- Follow Sugar Creek Road though the park 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 trail (off Whoota Lookout Road).
Parking
Parking is available at the start of Double Wharf Road, or at the gate to Reedy Creek trail (just 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
Facilities
Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it's a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
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
Double Wharf trail 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.