Where

Ukerebagh Nature Reserve, Tweed Heads Historic Site in North Coast

Accessibility

Medium

Distance

1km loop

Time suggested

30 - 45min

Grade

Grade 4

What to
bring

Hat, sunscreen, drinking water

Please note

Pack some insect repellent to keep away mosquitos and biting insects.

This short walk invites you to see beautiful bushland and mangroves while experiencing the Aboriginal cultural heritage that makes this area so special.

Starting from Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, you’ll follow a meandering walking track through eucalypt forest, woodlands and swamp forests, before emerging among the diverse mangrove communities along Tweed River.

Read about the plants, animals, bush tucker and culture of the Minjungbal people from interpretive signage along the way. For a fascinating local perspective, why not take a guided tour from Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre?

See the Bora Ring, a sacred Aboriginal site traditionally used for men’s initiation ceremonies. Today, it continues to be an important place for Minjungbal people, providing a spiritual link with their ancestors.

This easy walk also offers great birdwatching opportunities. Keep your binoculars handy to see shorebirds and waders like the greater egret and royal spoonbill.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Maps and downloads

Learn more

A place of diverse landscapes

Tweed Heads Historic Site includes a diversity of coastal vegetation in a relatively small area. You can see the open grasslands of salt couch between the tide lines. There are eucalypt forests and woodlands near the cultural centre, but wander along Walk on Water walking track and you'll be surrounded by swamp forests with broad-leaved paperbark and swamp she-oaks. At the water's edge, you'll see one of the most diverse mangrove communities in NSW.

Packed with life

In summer, look out for clusters of small yellow flowers on the grey mangroves in Tweed Heads Historic Site. This is a great place to step into a natural world and get up close with the animals. You'll find unique butterflies such as blue triangle, black jezebel and endangered blue mangrove butterfly. For birdwatchers, the forests and waterways at Tweed Heads provide plenty of birdwatching opportunities. You might even spot mangrove kingfishers and honeyeaters.

Rich Aboriginal culture

It is believed that local Goori people have been living in Tweed Valley for at least 6,000 years. The ceremonial Bora Ring you'll see on Walk on Water walking track provides a glimpse into ancient traditions and important Aboriginal ceremonies. Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre also provides evidence of and information on the rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, both past and living. It's a popular meeting place for Goori people and the wider Aboriginal community and offers visitors an authentic insight into many aspects of Aboriginal culture.