Burleigh Head National Park

Jutting into the Tasman Sea just south of Port Stephens, Burleigh Head National Park is a pocket-sized wilderness of coastal heath, weathered rhyolite cliffs and ancient littoral rainforest. The park’s short but dramatic headland walk delivers sweeping ocean views, whale-watching opportunities (May–November), and a sense of raw, untamed nature just minutes from town. It’s a perfect leg-stretcher on a road trip between Newcastle and Port Stephens.

Highlights & What to See

• Burleigh Headland Walk – This 2.2 km loop (45 minutes) hugs the cliffs, with lookout platforms over the sea and, in season, humpback whales breaching below.
• Rainforest Gully – A shaded boardwalk through a remnant of subtropical rainforest, with strangler figs, palms and the sound of bellbirds.
• Bongil Bongil Boardwalk – A gentle 800 m walk through paperbark wetlands, perfect for birdwatching (kingfishers, swamphens).
• Ocean Beaches – The park’s northern end meets a patrolled swimming beach; the southern side has a quieter stretch popular with surfcasters.
• Aboriginal Heritage – The headland is a significant site for the Biripi people; interpretive signs explain traditional uses of the land.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors allow 1–2 hours for the main headland walk and a beach stop. If you’re keen on birdwatching or a longer coastal ramble, tack on an extra hour for the Bongil Bongil boardwalk. The park is compact enough to combine with a morning at nearby One Mile Beach or a picnic lunch at Fingal Bay.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Stephens – The sparkling bay and its bottlenose dolphins, sand dunes and Tomaree National Park are a 15-minute drive north.
• Nelson Bay – The hub of Port Stephens, with cafés, whale-watching cruises and the popular Nelson Bay Lighthouse walk.
• Stockton Beach – A 32 km stretch of sand dunes perfect for 4WD adventures, sandboarding and quad biking, just south of the park.
• Myall Lakes National Park – A vast waterway of lakes and forests, great for kayaking, fishing and camping, 45 minutes north.
• Newcastle – The revitalised harbour city with its art galleries, surf beaches and heritage architecture is 40 minutes south.

Please check official sources for current details.