Holiday houses in Urunga

Discover serene wetlands and sandy shores at this tranquil town set at the mouths of the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers along New South Wales’ northern coast. Located about 410 kilometres south of Brisbane and 500 kilometres north of Sydney, Urunga’s small-town calm is defined by its remoteness, as well as its proximity to riverside parks that feature walking trails through distinctive wetlands, estuaries, and coastal headlands. The Urunga Boardwalk takes visitors on a kilometre-long stroll from Urunga Holiday Park, across the Urunga Lagoon through Bellinger Heads State Park’s coastal scenery. Just south of the lagoon, Hungry Heads offers a natural beach that’s a popular spot for surfers and swimmers.

In the town centre, delightful shops, cafes, and fish and chips eateries, plus a bakery and pizzeria, line the red-brick sidewalks along Bowra and Bonville Streets. The north side of town features a golf and sports club set along a bend in the Kalang River, while just south of Urunga’s neighbourhoods of bungalows lies the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk, a walking path that accesses a revivified wetland preserve.

The best time to visit Urunga is in the summer when temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, perfect weather for hitting the local parks and beaches. The winter months bring cooler weather, but temperatures are still quite moderate and suitable for outdoor activities like hiking, picnicking, and golfing.

Urunga puts on an array of events throughout the year, including a People’s Day festival on January 26 with live music, food stalls, and family-friendly entertainment. Nearby Bellingen hosts the Bellingen Winter Music Festival in July, as well as a plant fair in September. In October, the nearby town of Dorrigo, about an hour’s drive from Urunga, draws hundreds of people to see more than 40 musical acts at its Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival.

Urunga Boardwalk at Bellinger Heads State Park

Stroll along the Urunga Boardwalk and take in scenic views of the mangroves along the Bellinger River and Urunga Lagoon as you make your way to the sandy beaches of Bellinger Heads State Park. The wood walkway is one of Urunga’s most popular attractions and offers visitors the chance to see unique wildlife like bottlenose dolphins, Australian pelicans, eastern osprey, and between May and November, humpback whales.

Bellinger Valley Historical Museum

Discover Urunga’s past with a visit to the Urunga Museum, which features a collection of artifacts, photographs, maps, and historical documents that tell the story of the region’s Aboriginal people, its first European settlers, and its maritime history. The museum also features early maps, as well as a large 3D map of the region.

Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

Opened in 2017, this scenic walking path and boardwalk allows visitors to observe a remediated wetland ecosystem that was once home to an industrial chemical plant. Walk the 450-metre track and discover a remarkable feat of conservation in the revival of this freshwater wetland with its array of wildlife and vegetation, including the endangered black-necked stork, purple swamp hen, and black swan.