Whale watching at Woolgoolga

Coffs Coast Regional Park

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Overview

Join our NPWS guides for a free whale watching experience on the Coffs Coast. It's whale watching season – see how many whales you can spot out deep! Great for all ages.

When

Saturdays 13 July and 20 July 2024, 9.30am to 12pm

Accessibility
Medium
Grade
Medium. Suitable for all ages.
Meeting point
Meet at the whalewatch viewing platform at Woolgoolga Headland (near the public carpark).
Bookings
Bookings not required. For further information, email or call 0488 425 346. Please note, this activity may be cancelled without notice due to poor weather.

Woolgoolga Headland is the perfect place to learn about whale migration. It's one of the best vantage points on the Coffs Coast to be part of the excitement of whale watching.

Patience and luck can reward whale watchers. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic humpback whales, and their stunning displays of power and agility as they pass by the coast. Our friendly and knowledgeable NSW National Parks education rangers have powerful binoculars and scopes on hand to make this free whale watching experience the highlight of your holidays.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

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/things-to-do/events/whale-watching-woolgoolga/local-alerts

Operated by

Image of: NSW National Parks logo
  • NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Whale watching at Woolgoolga.

Getting there and parking

  • From the Pacific Highway, go onto the Solitary Islands Way and head towards Woolgoolga.
  • At the main roundabout heading into Woolgoolga, follow Clarence Street, which turns into Beach Street and then Ocean Street.
  • The headland and lookout are at the end of Ocean Street.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Free parking is available at the public carpark at Woolgoolga Headland.

Maps and downloads

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • Wheelchair users may require some assistance due to grassy surfaces
  • The carpark has some gradual slopes and uneven ground

Learn more

Whale watching at Woolgoolga is in Coffs Coast Regional Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Life’s a beach

Surfer at Ocean View Beach, Coffs Coast Regional Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Golden beaches are the park’s premier attraction. Here, everything revolves around the water – whether you’re swimming and surfing in it, or walking and fishing beside it. Spend your days discovering the headland walking tracks, boat ramps, parklands and playgrounds. And no matter where you go, you’re bound to find a perfect spot for a beachside picnic. There are also plenty of dog-friendly areas at Coffs Coast Regional Park – just another of its popular features. Take your dog for a walk along one of the coastal paths, plus, there are several beaches with leash-free zones, meaning your pooch can zip about and enjoy the sand and sea as much as you do. The leash-free area around Corindi and Pipeclay beaches is a local favourite.

  • Arrawarra Headland Soak up views of Solitary Islands Marine Park from Arrawarra Headland and Beach near Coffs Harbour. Fishing, surfing, swimming – it’s all here waiting for you to enjoy.
  • Diggers Beach Located opposite the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, Diggers Beach is excellent for surfing and learning to surf, plus fishing, swimming, birdwatching and beach walking.
  • Emerald Beach Positioned near Look-at-me-now Headland, 20km from Coffs Harbour, Emerald Beach is a local surfing hotspot. Visit also for fishing or swimming, or for barbecues in the picnic area.
  • Mullaway Beach and Headland Head south from Arrawarra to discover beautiful Mullaway Headland and Beach, near Coffs Harbour. Make the most of its picnic area and barbecues, go fishing or swimming.

Whale watchers

Sitting under a tree by Woolgoola Beach. Photo: Rob Cleary

Coffs Coast Regional Park is a fantastic place to enjoy watching these majestic creatures on their long coastal journey. Look-At-Me-Now Headland near Emerald Beach is a great vantage point, but locals agree Woolgoolga Headland is your best bet for glimpsing humpbacks. In fact, it’s also known as ‘Whale Watch Headland’. Plan a trip between June and October to see this inspiring sight.

  • Whale watching at Woolgoolga Join our NPWS guides for a free whale watching experience on the Coffs Coast. It's whale watching season – see how many whales you can spot out deep! Great for all ages.
  • Woolgoolga Beach and Headland Woolgoolga Beach and Headland has the best whale watching in the Coffs Region, plus great surfing, fishing and picnics and scenic views.

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.

  • Brown-striped frog. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)

    One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.

  • Yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Photo: Peter Sherratt

    Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

    The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.

  • Echidna. Photo: Ken Stepnell

    Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

    One of only 2 egg-laying mammals in the world, the short-beaked echidna is one of the most widespread of Australian native animals. Covered in spines, or quills, they’re equipped with a keen sense of smell and a tube-like snout which they use to break apart termite mounds in search of ants.

  •  Blue Tongue lizard. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    Eastern blue-tongue lizard (Tiliqua scinciodes)

    The eastern blue-tongue lizard, one of the largest skinks in Australia, is found throughout most of NSW. When threatened, the eastern blue-tongue lizard displays its blue tongue in a wide-mouthed intimidating show. Not an agile animal, they feed on slow-moving beetles and snails.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)