The Moonee Beach Nature Reserve is a hidden gem on Australia’s East Coast, providing visitors with scenic coastal views and the chance to see wild kangaroos up close! Just north of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, the reserve is one of the sections along the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk. It’s a beautiful spot to visit, particularly the Look At Me Now headland walk, where you will find kangaroos grazing and hopping about whilst soaking in amazing views of the coast and nearby beaches. If you’re lucky you can even see kangaroos on the beach here – just like at Lucky Bay in Western Australia! This guide covers everything you need to know about the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve and the headland trail.
Getting to Moonee Beach Nature Reserve
The Moonee Beach Nature Reserve is typically accessed either from Coffs Harbour or whilst taking a road trip along Australia’s East Coast. It’s around a 15-20 minute drive from Coffs Harbour to the Moonee Beach Reserve, so it’s easily accessible if you’re staying in the area.
If you are staying in Coffs Harbour and don’t have a car we recommend renting one for the day in order to visit the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve. Renting a car is fairly inexpensive and there are regularly good deals on the Rental Cars website as they compare between operators to get you the best possible price!
If you are planning a road trip along the east coast then you will pass by the reserve along the Pacific Highway. It’s an easy spot to stop and break up your journey, and the car park at the Look At Me Now headland walk has space for campervans to park.
Alternatively, bus route 372 runs from Coffs Harbour to near the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve. Simply take the bus to the stop Ocean View Cr at Semaphore St and then it’s around a 5 minute walk to the start of the reserve’s Look At Me Now headland trail.
Click here to see the exact location of the trail on Google Maps!
Look At Me Now Headland Walk
The highlight of the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve is the Look At Me Now Headland trail. This 1.6 kilometre loop is listed as a Grade 2 route, with some uphill sections but nothing too strenuous.
It’s a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering the chance to get incredible views of wild eastern grey kangaroos all year round. There are lots of kangaroos to see here, so it’s very likely you will see some grazing or hopping around the headland as you walk.
White-bellied sea eagles, ospreys and brahminy kites can also be seen in the reserve, so keep your eyes on the sky during your visit. During winter and early spring it’s even possible to see migrating humpback whales from this walking trail in the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve!
It’s the wildlife that really steals the show in the reserve, but there are also some lovely views. There is a nice lookout over Moonee Beach, as well as the smaller Shelly Beach nearby. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of some of the resident kangaroos hopping along one of the beaches in the reserve!
The Look At Me Now Headland walk is also part of the Solitary Islands Coastal walk – a 60 kilometre multi-day walking route.
Click here to view this walk amongst others at Moonee Beach Nature Reserve with AllTrails!
Tips for visiting the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve
Whale Watching – Whale watching season along the east coast near Coffs Harbour runs from June to November. If you are visiting the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve during this time you may be lucky enough to spot migrating humpback whales out at sea!
Binoculars – Bring some binoculars with you so you can get better views of any wildlife you do spot. This is particularly useful during whale watching season if you want the best possible view of any whales you happen to see!
Kangaroo sightings – Kangaroos are nocturnal so normally you have a better chance of seeing them in the morning or later afternoon, but we found the roos to be active here even when we visited near the middle of the day. As there are quite a few kangaroos in the area, it’s likely you will see some no matter what time of day you visit the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve as long as you follow the headland trail.
Don’t feed the kangaroos – Never try to feed kangaroos as human food can be harmful to them and may also change their natural behaviour.
Dogs are prohibited – The Look At Me Now headland walk is not dog friendly due to the kangaroos found there and elsewhere in the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve. This is for the safety of both people’s pets and the kangaroos.
Where to Stay in Moonee Beach
There are plenty of accommodation options near the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve, with the nearest major place being Coffs Harbour. If you haven’t already sorted accommodation then you will find some great options on the booking.com website.
Click here to find the best accommodation in Coffs Harbour on Booking.com!
If you are taking a road trip along the east coast then you will be pleased to know there are a few campgrounds and caravan parks in and around Coffs Harbour.
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