{"ok":true,"data":{"id":136,"slug":"woody-head-beach-iluka","name":"Woody Head Beach","country":"Australia","state":"New South Wales","city":"Iluka","coords":{"lat":-29.3798,"lng":153.3567},"beachType":null,"tags":["family","scenic"],"article":{"hero":"The unsealed road into Woody Head ripples with potholes, shaking loose any expectations of resort polish. You arrive instead at something rarer: a beach where the national park campground sits just meters from the tideline, where paperbark trees lean over weathered picnic shelters, and where the only development is a boat ramp used by fishermen hauling in flathead at dawn.\n\nThe beach itself curves gently northward, bookended by the rocky headland that gives this place its name—though locals know it better for the koalas dozing in the canopy above the camping loops. The sand is coarse underfoot, golden rather than white, and the shore break arrives with enough punch to remind you this is open ocean, not a harbour. Families claim spots near the grassy foreshore where pandanus palms provide natural shade; the water stays shallow for thirty meters out.\n\nWhat anchors Woody Head in memory is the unpolished rhythm of it—the thud of tent pegs after dark, the sulfur-crested cockatoos shrieking at breakfast, the way the coastal track to Iluka Bluff rewards the twenty-minute walk with humpback spouts between May and November. You won't find a café or a surf shop. You will find saltwater that stings cuts clean and stars so thick you'll fumble for your phone's astronomy app.","teaser":"You'll smell the banksia blooms before you see the break. Woody Head Beach unfurls inside Bundjalung National Park—a crescent of sand where tea-tree branches shade picnic tables and morning walks often pause for eastern grey kangaroos crossing the track.","uniqueAngle":"One of the few Australian beaches where you can pitch a tent under rainforest canopy and walk barefoot to the ocean in thirty seconds.","accessType":"Drive-in (unsealed road)","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Shore Break Dips","subtitle":"Waist-deep water, strong undertow"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Iluka Bluff Track","subtitle":"Coastal rainforest, whale lookouts"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Dawn Kangaroo Shots","subtitle":"Greys graze near campsites"},{"icon":"kayak","title":"Headland Paddles","subtitle":"Calm mornings, rocky shoreline"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Woody Head serves up short, punchy shorebreak that closes out fast—fun for bodyboards, frustrating for shortboards. Best on small easterly swells when the sandbar cooperates; anything over four feet turns the break into a washing machine. The rocky headland to the south can produce a peaky right on bigger northeast swells, but it's shallow and territorial. Locals from Yamba make the trip when everywhere else is blown out. Check it at low tide; high tide flattens everything. No crowds, no localism—but also no forgiving reforms.","couples":"Book campsite 27 or 28 in the upper loop for partial ocean views through the paperbarks, or skip the tent and rent the Iluka Cottages ten minutes north for verandas and air conditioning. Sunset happens behind you here—the magic hour is dawn, when the light turns the headland copper. Walk the Iluka Bluff track hand-in-hand, scanning for migrating whales between July and October. For dinner, drive fifteen minutes to the Iluka Bowling Club for surprisingly good wood-fired pizzas and cold Stone & Wood, eaten on the deck overlooking the Clarence River.","backpacker":"Bundjalung National Park campsites cost sixteen dollars per person per night—showers included, though they're cold enough to make you reconsider. Pitch anywhere in the lower loops to be closest to the beach. No shops or cafés within walking distance, so stock up at Iluka IGA before you arrive; a loaf, peanut butter, and instant noodles will keep you fed for under twelve dollars. The ranger patrols daily, so don't skip paying. Public transport doesn't exist here—hitch from Iluka township or split a rideshare. Free entertainment: koala-spotting above campsites 14 through 19 every evening.","local":"Hit the beach before 7 a.m. when the campground's still zipped shut and you'll have the entire crescent to yourself—perfect for running the firm sand barefoot or letting the dog off-leash before the ranger arrives. The rock platform at the southern end of the headland produces legal-size dusky flathead on the incoming tide; locals fish it with soft plastics at first light. For the best koala sightings, skip the obvious trees near the toilet block and check the scribbly gums along the walking track to the bluff—fewer people, calmer animals. September brings bream runs in the shallows.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Woody Head Beach is generally considered safe for swimming, with calmer waters than many ocean-facing beaches due to its sheltered location. However, it's an unpatrolled beach, so swimmers should exercise caution and stay within their depth. Check conditions before entering the water, as currents can vary. The beach is particularly suitable for families with children during calm weather. Rock pools at the northern end offer protected areas for young swimmers to explore at low tide.","q":"Is Woody Head Beach safe for swimming?"},{"a":"Woody Head Beach is enjoyable year-round, though each season offers different experiences. Summer (December-February) brings warm weather ideal for swimming and camping, but can be busy during holidays. Winter (June-August) offers mild temperatures perfect for whale watching, as humpback whales migrate along the coast. Spring and autumn provide comfortable conditions with fewer crowds. The beach's sheltered position makes it pleasant even on windier days when other coastal beaches may be less appealing.","q":"What is the best time to visit Woody Head Beach?"},{"a":"Woody Head Beach is located within Bundjalung National Park, approximately 6km from Iluka town centre. Access is via Woody Head Road, a sealed road suitable for most vehicles. The national park entrance requires a valid NSW National Parks pass. Parking is available at the campground area near the beach, with spaces for day visitors. The road leads directly to the beachfront camping area, making it convenient for bringing beach gear and equipment to the sand.","q":"How do you get to Woody Head Beach and is there parking?"},{"a":"Woody Head Beach has basic amenities including toilets and cold showers at the campground, but no food facilities or shops on-site. Visitors should bring all food, drinks, and supplies from Iluka, where you'll find a general store, cafes, and supermarket. The campground offers powered and unpowered sites for those staying overnight. Due to the beach's remote national park location, it's essential to come fully prepared with everything you need for your visit, including drinking water.","q":"Are there food options and amenities at Woody Head Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Woody Head features a popular beachfront campground managed by NSW National Parks. The campground offers both powered and unpowered sites, with many pitches having direct beach access and ocean views. Bookings are essential, especially during school holidays and peak seasons, and can be made through the NSW National Parks website. The campground provides basic facilities including toilets, cold showers, and picnic tables. It's one of the few places where you can camp right by the beach in this region.","q":"Can you camp at Woody Head Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Woody Head Beach: Iluka's Camping Paradise in Bundjalung Park","description":"Pitch your tent steps from golden sand where wallabies graze at dusk and turquoise waves meet ancient coastal forest. Woody Head blends camping freedom with family-friendly shores in northern NSW.","ogImage":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/30294444/pexels-photo-30294444.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940"},"images":[{"id":"382633","url":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1761461170606-c7d7793b98ef?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w5MzY4MzB8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxXb29keSUyMEhlYWQlMjBCZWFjaCUyMGJlYWNofGVufDF8MHx8fDE3Nzg1NzU2MTJ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","thumbnail":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1761461170606-c7d7793b98ef?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w5MzY4MzB8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxXb29keSUyMEhlYWQlMjBCZWFjaCUyMGJlYWNofGVufDF8MHx8fDE3Nzg1NzU2MTJ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=400","alt":"Woody Head Beach — photo by Jeremy Gallagher"},{"id":"382635","url":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1733960644798-4a03d11f2c29?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w5MzY4MzB8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxXb29keSUyMEhlYWQlMjBCZWFjaCUyMGJlYWNofGVufDF8MHx8fDE3Nzg1NzU2MTJ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","thumbnail":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1733960644798-4a03d11f2c29?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w5MzY4MzB8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxXb29keSUyMEhlYWQlMjBCZWFjaCUyMGJlYWNofGVufDF8MHx8fDE3Nzg1NzU2MTJ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=400","alt":"Woody Head Beach — photo by Jessica Kessel"},{"id":"382636","url":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/7968129/pexels-photo-7968129.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940","thumbnail":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/7968129/pexels-photo-7968129.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=350","alt":"Woody Head Beach — photo by Nicole Avagliano"}]}}