Happy feet Moby on up to try out Whale Trail

It was showtime for the gentle giants of the depths as miles of excited smiles lit up the Woolgoolga Headland this morning for the official opening of the City of Coffs Harbour’s Whale Trail. 

An 80-strong crowd of residents, City representatives and politicians basked on a summery winter’s day to walk-the-walk along the enhanced waterfront pathway which affords some of the best views in Australia. 

“It’s fantastic. There’s been a long wait for this to happen but it’s just safer walking up here now,” said Sharon Green, a Woolgoolga resident of nine years. 

“How good is this – it will be so appreciated by people in wheelchairs.” 

The 570-metre long pathway skirts the clifftops and includes about 110 metres of boardwalk. 

The Whale Trail removes the ‘missing link’ - connecting Woolgoolga Beach Reserve with the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk. 

Additional carparking, kerbing, fresh seating and lookouts complete the package.  

“The corner of Carrington Street and Pollack Esplanade was challenging given the steep grade and vegetation nearby. Plus we had to minimise any disturbance to natural grasslands,” City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick said. 

“The traffic control on the road was only pulled down at 9.30am (today) and people were queued up to test it out.” 

The City used local firm Mid North Coast Contractors for the project, and this morning even the whales played their part, occasionally surfacing, splashing and spouting as they swept majestically past on the long haul north. 

“It’s amazing, absolutely amazing,” Woolgoolga resident Merilyn Godde said. 

“It’s been a long time coming but it will be of such value for locals and everyone visiting our beautiful community.” 

The City managed the Whale Trail project and contributed $330,000, while the Federal Government provided $1.1 million through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. 

Local Federal MP Kevin Hogan was impressed. 

“What an exciting project to do here at the headland,” the Member for Page said. 

“This is a really important thing for the community.” 

Photo: Excited residents walk the Whale Trail after the enhanced pathway was officially opened on 7 August.