whale headland

Macauleys Headland Walking Track

This is one of the Coffs Coast best short walks and takes you from the northern end of Park Beach, over Macauleys Headland to Diggers Beach.

Along the way you will be rewarded with incredible views of the coast back to Muttonbird Island and north to the Solitary Island. There are a couple of steep sections so take your time and experience the Coffs coast at its best. This paved walk links two of the local’s favourite surf beaches.

Follow Ocean Parade to the northern end of Park Beach and park at Macauleys Headland. Take the stairs that lead down to the beach and continue to the path on the headland. This walk, as with many others along the Coffs Coast, is a small section of the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk that stretches from Red Rock, in the north, to Sawtell, in the south.

This headland walk offers the advantage of being one of the premier locations along the coast for whale and dolphin watching. Don’t forget the binoculars. Other coastal inhabitants include a diverse array of sea birds such as the Little tern and White-bellied sea eagle.

The paved walk takes you through grassed areas and littoral forest to Macaulayes Head at Diggers Beach. Just before you descend to the beach there is a small cove with a beautiful beach below. This is a special Aboriginal place and the rock that sits off the head is known to Gumbayngirr people as Gumgaliya or the ‘goanna place’.

The Dreaming story has it that Gumgali, the black goanna, escaped from the spears of hunters by burrowing underground and emerging here at the coast pushing that massive rock before him.

Descending to Diggers Beach you can continue to Charlesworth Bay (4.5km return) or relax and enjoy a swim. If you are hungry Aanuka Resort offers great food and refreshments on a deck overlooking the ocean. It is located at the northern end of the beach.

Note: The branch in the track leads you back through a forested area to Richmond Drive.

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