Woolgoolga Whale Trail

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Whale Trail Overview


The route between Woolgoolga Beach Reserve to the existing Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is already a popular walk for locals and visitors. Upgrading the walkway will offer greater pedestrian safety, improved accessibility, attract visitors and foster economic opportunities for Woolgoolga.

The concept design is influenced by environmental factors along with other considerations, including accessibility, safety and the key grant requirement that the pathway connects Woolgoolga Beach Reserve with the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk.

Where we are up to

Detailed designs are now underway for the $1.1 million Woolgoolga Whale Trail, taking into consideration of community feedback received during extensive community consultations.

View the Revised design and Engagement Report

  • Revised Concept Design - read the project update for an overview of key design components included to enhance the Whale Trail.
  • Engagement Report - provides an update and summary of the key design features adopted and consideration of community feedback received on the concepts during the public exhibition period and review of known environmental, technical and other factors.

Next steps

Detailed designs will inform the approvals processes prior to finalisation and progression to construction stages. Construction will begin following finalisation of the detailed designs.

* It should be noted that not all community recommendations for design can be achieved. The final design is subject to environmental and cultural heritage assessments/approvals and compliance with engineering, accessibility and construction standards.

The project is funded by a $1.1 million Community Development Grant, through the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

Whale Trail Overview


The route between Woolgoolga Beach Reserve to the existing Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is already a popular walk for locals and visitors. Upgrading the walkway will offer greater pedestrian safety, improved accessibility, attract visitors and foster economic opportunities for Woolgoolga.

The concept design is influenced by environmental factors along with other considerations, including accessibility, safety and the key grant requirement that the pathway connects Woolgoolga Beach Reserve with the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk.

Where we are up to

Detailed designs are now underway for the $1.1 million Woolgoolga Whale Trail, taking into consideration of community feedback received during extensive community consultations.

View the Revised design and Engagement Report

  • Revised Concept Design - read the project update for an overview of key design components included to enhance the Whale Trail.
  • Engagement Report - provides an update and summary of the key design features adopted and consideration of community feedback received on the concepts during the public exhibition period and review of known environmental, technical and other factors.

Next steps

Detailed designs will inform the approvals processes prior to finalisation and progression to construction stages. Construction will begin following finalisation of the detailed designs.

* It should be noted that not all community recommendations for design can be achieved. The final design is subject to environmental and cultural heritage assessments/approvals and compliance with engineering, accessibility and construction standards.

The project is funded by a $1.1 million Community Development Grant, through the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

  • Engagement Summary

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    Key Design Enhancements Influenced by Community Feedback

    Community feedback* has influenced revision of the original concept plans, with the following key design components included to enhance the Whale Trail:

    • An additional section of path will be constructed near the boat ramp car park to improve accessibility at the path entry point
    • A section of boardwalk will be constructed alongside the eastern section of Carrington Street corner and Pollack Esplanade to join two sections of concrete pathway - one section provides the community's desired winding pathway along the headland, while the other section provides required accessibility access from the first car park on Pollack Esplanade
    • Pedestrian safety will be improved by widening Carrington Street at the corner approaching Pollack Esplanade - implementation of safety measures consistent with engineering design standards will allow safe separation between pedestrians on the boardwalk, cyclists and vehicles (this road widening work will be financed by Council and not by the Whale Trail Grant funds).

    Summary of submissions received

    Concept plans were placed on public exhibition from 11 December 2020 until 29 January this year.
    A total of 123 individual submissions were lodged via the Have Your Say page, through emails and letters.
    An additional 385 responses were received via a community-authored petition.

  • National Whale Trail initiative

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    About the Federal Government National Whale Trail initiative

    In 2015, the Federal Government National Whale Trail initiative identified Woolgoolga Headland as a key site, one of only 11 in Australia. The aim of this initiative is to develop a national whale watching network to encourage knowledge sharing among locals and visitors on the habits of migratory whales and coastal conservation.

    Council consulted with the local community on a whale watching pathway and viewing stations since 2016. In 2018 Council adopted the Woolgoolga Town Centre Masterplan including an indicative route for the Woolgoolga Whale Trail.

    In 2020 Council explored design options for the new pathway with a Whale Trail Working Group which was coordinated by the Northern Beaches Residents Association (NBRA), including representatives of Woolgoolga Chamber of Commerce and Pollack Esplanade residents.

    The Whale Trail Working Group asked Council to consider enhancing the original concept plan early in 2020. Since then, Council has had several meetings with the working group to identify how to maximise the appeal of the pathway within the existing budget and potential future funding from grants or other sources.

Page last updated: 31 Oct 2022, 11:03 AM