About Wooli – Your Holiday Destination on the Northern NSW Coast
Getting Here – Location and Access
Wooli is often described as one of Australia’s “best-kept secrets” — a secluded coastal village tucked just off the Pacific Highway, 600 km north of Sydney and 47 km east of Grafton. Thanks to strict planning controls, Wooli has retained its natural charm and relaxed pace, making it an ideal escape from modern-day noise and busyness.
With the completion of major highway upgrades, Wooli is now far more accessible than many travellers realise — approximately 3.5 hours from either Port Macquarie or Brisbane Airport.
The name Wooli, meaning “two waters”, reflects its unique setting between the Wooli Wooli River and the Pacific Ocean. Declared a camping reserve in 1861 and gazetted as a village in 1923, Wooli has long been a favourite holiday destination for families, campers and nature lovers.
Early History
Before European settlement, the area was home to the Yaegl people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways. Early commercial life in the region centred around fishing, lobster trapping, oyster farming and boat building.
Electricity arrived in 1962, followed by reticulated water in 1966. In its early days, Wooli was reached via rough tracks used by horse-drawn sulkies, but today the village enjoys a fully sealed access road and is also conveniently connected via Grafton Regional Airport, only 20 minutes away.
The Wooli Public School began in the local hall before moving to its own purpose-built facility in 1946 — a school enviably located right beside the beach. A protective rock wall was later constructed along the river terrace to secure safe passage for commercial and recreational fishing boats.
Family & Couples Holiday Vibes
Wooli is a perfect holiday destination for nature lovers, families, couples and adventure seekers. Here you can walk along empty beaches, relax with your feet in the sand, swim in pristine waters, or fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.
The village sits on a narrow peninsula, with the Wooli Wooli River to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, offering a rare blend of river, estuary and surf experiences in one location. Surrounded by the northern section of the Solitary Islands Marine Park and bordered by Yuraygir National Park, Wooli is an outstanding destination for eco-tourism, wildlife exploration and outdoor adventure.
Nearby Natural Attractions
Wooli is the gateway to the Solitary Islands Marine Park, the third-largest marine protected area in New South Wales. Stretching 75 km, the park is renowned for its extraordinary diversity, with more than 550 reef fish species, 600 molluscs, and 90 species of hard coral.
Visitors can explore this marine wonderland through deep-sea diving, snorkelling and guided tours. Wooli is home to the Clarence Valley’s only dive shop, offering equipment hire, tank refills and expert local knowledge.
Where the River Meets the Sea
The Wooli Wooli River is so unique they named it twice. Originating in Barcoongere State Forest, the river flows for 34 km through Newfoundland State Forest and the Yuraygir National Park before meeting the ocean at Wooli.
Recognised as one of the cleanest waterways in Australia, the river provides ideal conditions for Sydney Rock Oyster nurseries. Around 20 km of the river can be explored by boat, kayak or canoe, revealing rich birdlife, native flora and peaceful picnic spots along the banks.
This pristine waterway is perfect for fishing, birdwatching, photography and leisurely nature cruises — a defining part of the Wooli experience.
Yuraygir national park
Yuraygir National Park was originally known as Wooli Wooli Forest Reserve and was dedicated in 1908 occupying the area from Sandon River to Dirty Creek. The park is located between Yamba and Coffs Harbour.
A visit during Autumn is amazing for beach fishing all along the park’s coastline.
Many visitors come in the winter for whale watching. The experience of watching whales migrate as they swim north to warmer waters is comparable to none. There are some magnificent viewing points at Red Cliffs lookout and Brooms Head.
Wooli’s very own Sporting Event:
Australian National Goanna Pulling Championships
Sport lovers cannot afford to miss this annual sporting event at Wooli! The Australian National Goanna Pulling Championships is an event that is held annually since 1985. The unique sporting festival targets families and is held around October. It is a fun event for all age groups and attracts more than 3000 visitors. Besides Gonna pulling, there are other events that include Tug-a-war, Sprint Age Races, Carnival Rides, North Coast Axemen event and Brick Carrying Races.