Broken Head Nature Reserve
Overview
Surround yourself with the spectacular beauty of Broken Head Nature Reserve. Experience Aboriginal culture, rainforest walks, whale watching, and fishing from pristine beaches.
Read more about Broken Head Nature Reserve
Had enough of the crowds and looking for somewhere quiet and peaceful? Spend your day in this idyllic spot, where lush rainforest meets sandy beaches and a live history lesson unveils before you.
Pack a picnic, cook up a storm on the barbecue, and enjoy the day swimming and walking on the beach. Play a game of beach cricket, relax with your fishing rod or just sit under a shady tree and laze away the day with a good book. Wander through the rainforest to Three Sisters lookout and emerge to stunning views of a pristine beach fringed with majestic trees.
Look out to the glistening blue waters and try spotting a passing whale, or a sea eagle diving for fish. Take a moment to admire the rocky outcrops in front of you and learn about the Aboriginal story they tell and the ancient culture they represent. With all this on offer, it’s easy to see why Broken Head is treasured by locals and visitors alike.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/visit-a-park/parks/broken-head-nature-reserve/local-alerts
Contact
- in the North Coast region
Broken Head Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$4 per vehicle per hour. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Cash and credit cards accepted at Byron Bay Office.
Buy annual pass. -
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Byron Bay office
02 6639 8300
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 22 Tallow Beach Road, Byron Bay 2481
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Email: npws.tweedbyron@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Byron Bay office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Broken Head Nature Reserve.
Map
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Maps and downloads
Nearby towns
Byron Bay (8 km)
Byron Bay is Australia's easternmost town and 'style capital' of the North Coast. It's a place of outstanding natural beauty, set against lush volcanic hills.
Lennox Head (14 km)
Lennox Head is a quiet seaside village situated at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach between Ballina and Byron Bay. It's named after the headland that stands sentinel at its southern gateway.
Ballina (26 km)
Ballina is a bustling holiday town and service centre and home of the Big Prawn. It's situated at the mouth of the Richmond River, close to superb beaches.
Learn more
Broken Head Nature Reserve is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Broken Head Nature Reserve is co-managed by NPWS and the Arakwal People, acknowledging the cultural significance of this land to Aboriginal People. Three Sisters, previously known as Cocked Hat Rocks, is an important cultural site representing a story about a young Aboriginal woman who was caught in a strong current when swimming in this area. When her sister attempted to save her, they both drowned and were transformed into stone. This story was told to warn children not to swim in the strong and dangerous currents here.
- Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.
Botanical wonders
Whether you’re a botanist or just a nature-lover, it’s not hard to appreciate the incredible biodiversity at Broken Head. This small reserve protects three endangered plant communities: littoral and lowland rainforest, headland grasses and woodlands. There are 240 different plant species here, 12 of which are threatened in NSW and six in Australia, such as the white lace flower rainforest tree, which you might see standing tall along the entrance road in summer dotted with fluffy white ball flowers.
- Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.
Rich bird and animal life
Broken Head Nature Reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and animal-lovers. Thanks to the plentiful supply of food on the NSW North Coast, the area is visited by many migratory and nomadic birds, flying-foxes and micro-bats. Three Sisters lookout is a great place for birdwatching and spotting migrating whales in winter and spring. Wandering along the beaches and in the rainforest, you’re sure to meet locals like brush turkeys patrolling the understorey in their search for food. But you might also be lucky enough to spot threatened species like the colourful wompoo fruit-dove, with its spectacular green, purple, and yellow plumage.
- Broken Head picnic area Indulge in some picnicking, swimming, surfing, and birdwatching, while discovering a secluded paradise where lush rainforest meets the beach.
- Three Sisters walking track (Broken Head) Take the family walking through the rainforest on a day-trip to this spectacular lookout. Find out about its Aboriginal heritage, and after, enjoy whale watching and picnicking by the beach.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Broken Head Nature Reserve has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents.