Wallingat National Park. One that wasn’t on my radar until searching for a, relatively, off the beaten track, park to visit over the Easter long weekend. Somewhere down The Lakes Way, because all Lakes Way holidays are bound to deliver, but not beach side with all the families escaping the city.
Recently dabbled in boating as well, purchasing our first tinny, so a body of accessible water was on the wish list. Wallingat appeared to tick the box.
Wallingat National Park is three and a bit hours north of Sydney. After exiting The Lakes Way what soon becomes apparent is the excessive number of tall skinny bark-less trees and palms you will soon learn are called Cabbage Tree Palms. A rainforest of some sort which feels hauntingly quiet but welcoming all at once.
We took Barbies Rd and River Rd which, in hindsight, weren’t ideal with the tinny in tow (Sugar Creek Rd is much nicer), but we made it to the Wallingat River Campground. It offers around twenty sites suited to car campers, rooftop setups, and tents. I never quite found the barbecue facilities the National Parks site mentions, but there were certainly two smelly loos and a few fire pits. A handful of sneaky paths lead you to the edge of the Wallingat River — perhaps enough for a kayak, but not quite for the boat.
That is until you go for a drive another two kilometres down the River Way to the boat ramp. A sandy bank that was more than welcoming to our tinny and another blokes kayak. A good spot to fish for those who are so inclined, and a large enough area to park your car and trailer. We will revisit this tomorrow.
The Wallingat Forest Drive takes you on a tour of the park. A handful of sub two kilometre hikes are available for attempt, however as at April 2026 currently closed due to storm damage. Devastatingly so as I had caused a scene to leave the campground to move the legs and could only do so as far as the carpark to the trailhead. Regardless, still a pretty location and can only imagine that a short walk amongst the Cabbage Palms would be a good leg stretcher after a drive.
Instead, we continued on to the next POI (and collectable location on NaturePins) Whoota Whoota Lookout. Greeted by a lonely bush turkey and a young German couple van-lifing their way around the country, we were soon looking over Wallis Lake to the north and the Wallingat National Park and Wallingat State Forest to the south.
Plenty of space here to park up with a bevy and a packet of chips. I’d suggest a lunch stop or even a quick snooze for the rooftop campers. A pretty epic view — and one that would be even better at sunrise or sunset.
At this point, especially if you are lucky enough to visit when the walks are open, you will have seen a lot of what the park has to offer. But you now get to sit back and relax and immerse yourself in the Wallingat culture.
Not until we returned to camp we had our first run in with wildlife. Juggling a developing passion for photography with a mild fear of big lizards we respectfully attempted to document our first meaningful fauna sighting. Perhaps you will be just as lucky to see the large goannas strutting around the campground.
Speaking of fauna - do you like bird watching? Wallingat National Park is home to the Glossy Black Cockatoo - and apparently 199 other species of birds. There are plenty of areas to go walking and listen to these birds and if you have the knack, you may even be able to spot them.
It’s now the next morning. It briefly poured with rain early in the morning which resulted in a mild reconsideration of plans, however with the rain stopping, we were determined to explore the Wallingat River and make use of the perfectly good boat ramp up the road.
We had a successful launch and putted up the river towards Wallis Lake. And what an absolute gift this was. The water was so still and glossy - almost deceptive. It wasn’t a sunny day. Dark, threatening clouds, but this weather looked good on Wallingat and I honestly think it made it better.
If you do head out, make sure to pin your location — the bends, foliage, and sandbanks all start to look the same.
Wallingat National Park is moody. It presents the perfect case for a long weekend boating adventure with a side of a leg stretching walk and lookout drink.
With that, I collect four NaturePins and pass go.
Read our Booti Booti National Park post to see where we went next.
