Walk on Water walking track
North Coast
Overview
Take this short walk and experience Aboriginal cultural heritage, sacred sites and beautiful natural scenery, with great birdwatching and photography opportunities.
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Distance
- 1km loop
- Time suggested
- 30 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
Pack some insect repellent to keep away mosquitos and biting insects.
This short walk invites you to see beautiful bushland and mangroves while experiencing the Aboriginal cultural heritage that makes this area so special.
Starting from Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, you’ll follow a meandering walking track through eucalypt forest, woodlands and swamp forests, before emerging among the diverse mangrove communities along Tweed River.
Read about the plants, animals, bush tucker and culture of the Minjungbal people from interpretive signage along the way. For a fascinating local perspective, why not take a guided tour from Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre?
See the Bora Ring, a sacred Aboriginal site traditionally used for men’s initiation ceremonies. Today, it continues to be an important place for Minjungbal people, providing a spiritual link with their ancestors.
This easy walk also offers great birdwatching opportunities. Keep your binoculars handy to see shorebirds and waders like the greater egret and royal spoonbill.
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/walking-tracks/walk-on-water-walking-track/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 Tweed Heads Historic Site in the North Coast region
Tweed Heads Historic Site is always open, but Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre is open 10am-3pm Monday to Thursday.
- in Ukerebagh Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Walk on Water walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
1km loop
Time
30 - 45min
Quality of markings
Limited signage
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Flat
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Well-formed track:
- The track is a mix of uneven bitumen (due to tree roots) and unsealed sections.
- The accessible section passes through pockets of littoral rainforest.
Other barriers
Pinch points: The narrowest part of the track is 1.2m wide.
Accessible options
An 800m section at the start of the walk may be suitable for visitors with restricted mobility.
Getting there and parking
Walk on Water walking track starts from Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
To get there:
- Turn onto Minjungbal Drive at South Tweed Heads from Pacific Highway
- Turn right into Kirkwood Road, near Tweed City Shopping Centre, then continue to the car park at the end of the road before it turns right into Davey Street.
Parking
Parking is available at Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Facilities
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Step-free access
- Step-free outdoor pathways
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- An 800m section at the start of the walk may be suitable for visitors with restricted mobility, but the rest of the walk is not accessible.
- Wheelchair access may be difficult due to sections of rough terrain. You may require assistance to get around in some areas.
Permitted
Fishing
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.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood may not be collected from the park.
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.
Visitor centre
-
Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
17 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 - Monday to Thursday, 10m to 3pm.
- 07 5524 2109
Learn more
Walk on Water walking track is in Tweed Heads Historic Site. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A place of diverse landscapes
Tweed Heads Historic Site includes a diversity of coastal vegetation in a relatively small area. You can see the open grasslands of salt couch between the tide lines. There are eucalypt forests and woodlands near the cultural centre, but wander along Walk on Water walking track and you'll be surrounded by swamp forests with broad-leaved paperbark and swamp she-oaks. At the water's edge, you'll see one of the most diverse mangrove communities in NSW.
Packed with life
In summer, look out for clusters of small yellow flowers on the grey mangroves in Tweed Heads Historic Site. This is a great place to step into a natural world and get up close with the animals. You'll find unique butterflies such as blue triangle, black jezebel and endangered blue mangrove butterfly. For birdwatchers, the forests and waterways at Tweed Heads provide plenty of birdwatching opportunities. You might even spot mangrove kingfishers and honeyeaters.
Rich Aboriginal culture
It is believed that local Goori people have been living in Tweed Valley for at least 6,000 years. The ceremonial Bora Ring you'll see on Walk on Water walking track provides a glimpse into ancient traditions and important Aboriginal ceremonies. Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre also provides evidence of and information on the rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, both past and living. It's a popular meeting place for Goori people and the wider Aboriginal community and offers visitors an authentic insight into many aspects of Aboriginal culture.
- Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre an ideal school excursion or day trip for learning about Aboriginal culture. Listen to Aboriginal guides and enjoy a picnic.