North Head walking track
Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about North Head walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.7km return
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Flat
Quality of path
Formed track: The walk is 1m-wide and hard-packed ground until you reach the breakwall, at which point the track becomes sandy with steps to the riverbank.
There may be points where the track narrows slightly due to natural features such as vegetation, rocks and tree roots.
Steps
Occasional steps: There are no steps along most of the walk. As you near the end of the track where the path forks, there are 9 timber steps that lead down to the river if you take the right path. The left path is step-free.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
North Head track is in the North Head precinct of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve. To get there, park in North Head carpark and follow the signs.
Road quality
The unsealed road is in poor condition with a lot of holes for the last kilometre so drive very slowly and carefully.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
There's parking in a hard-packed ground carpark at the start of the track. It can be a busy place on weekends, so parking may be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
During this season humpback whales accompanied by new calves and migratory shorebirds can be seen. Look out for bar-tailed godwits, which undertake the longest non-stop migratory flight of any bird in the world.
Winter
Late June and early July is the peak time to see humpback whales migrating north to mate and calve in tropical waters. New Brighton Beach and the north wall of Brunswick River are the best viewing spots.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
20°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
35.1°C
Winter temperature
Average
12°C and 19.5°C
Lowest recorded
3.3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
350.4mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Toilets
There are accessible non-flush toilets at North Head carpark where the walk begins.
The toilets have a timber ramp with handrails that leads to the entrance. There may be a lip to get from the hard-packed ground onto the timber ramp.
- Non-flush toilets
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
North Head walking track is flat and mostly step-free. It's 1m-wide and hard-packed ground along its length.
There are some points along the track where people with reduced mobility may need assistance:
- As you near the end of the track, there's a fork in path. If you take the right path, the track becomes sandy and there there are 9 timber steps that lead down to the river. There are no steps along the left path.
- There may be points where the track narrows slightly due to natural features such as vegetation, rocks and tree roots.
There are accessible toilets at the start of the walk at the carpark.
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.
Operated by
- Murwillumbah office
- npws.tweedbyron@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.