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Category: National Park

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Bouddi Coastal Walk with Beautiful Views

Coastal View

Bouddi Coastal Walk

The 8km Bouddi coastal walk runs from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach. Known as one of the most beautiful central coast walks, because of its beaches, boardwalks and birdlife.

If the whole 8km walk is too much, it can be broken into shorter sections:

Putty Beach to Maitland Bay (3km)
Maitland Bay to Little Beach (3.5km)
Little Beach to MacMasters Beach (1.7km)

If starting at Maitland Bay, you will also walk the Maitland Bay Track. Read about this track here, so that you know what to expect.

Getting there

Located 90 minutes north of Sydney and 1 hour and 45 minutes south of Newcastle via the M1 Pacific Motorway, the Bouddi National Park is easy to find

Parking


If you start from MacMasters Beach, park near the Surf Life Saving Club on Marine Parade, which has a large car park. Follow the stairs in between houses 85 & 87 Marine Parade.

To start from Putty Beach, park at the end of Putty Beach Road in Killcare Heights. Drive to the end of the road, where the car park is located. A parking fee of $8 per day applies, but if you have an annual NPWS pass, it is free. We have an annual pass and have found it saves us lots of money as well as not having to bother with paying for day tickets.

If you want to pick up Bouddi Coastal Walk from Little Beach or camp, park at the end of Grahame Drive in the car park and follow the signs to the beach.

If you want to pick up Bouddi Coastal Walk midway from Maitland Bay, park at the Bouddi National Park Information Centre on the Scenic Road in Killcare Heights. Follow the Maitland Bay Track and when you reach the beach turn left to follow the track to MacMasters Beach. If you want to walk to Putty Beach take the Bouddi Coastal Walk off shoot on the right before you reach the beach.

Putty Beach to Maitland Bay Beach

Putty Beach

Located in Bouddi National Park, Putty Beach is a large sandy beach that is almost completely framed by National Park. The Bouddi Trail, starts on the north-eastern end of the beach. and a large car park and campsite. Putty Beach is a patrolled beach, making it safe to enjoy the water as long as you swim between the flags.

Putty Beach camping area is a spacious, grassed area with easy access to the beach. Facilities include drinking water, flush toilets, open-air showers, rubbish bins and barbecues, both gas and electric although wood fires not permitted. During peak periods, campsites must be booked up to three months in advance.

  • Putty Beach
    Putty Beach
  • Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Bouddi Coastal Walk

The Track

Located at the end of the beach near the car park is a sign and stairway. This is the start of the track, which is well maintained and easy to walk. A large amount of the track here is boardwalk, or formed steps and stairs. Views over the ocean and along the track are magnificent, so take your time and admire the scenery, as there are plenty of places to stop.

  • Board Walk on Part of the Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Board Walk on Part of the Track
  • Bouddi Coastal Walk Near Putty Beach
    Bouddi Coastal Walk Near Putty Beach

Tessellated Pavement

Not far along the track from Putty Beach is a tessellated pavement,located on the cliff edge. Information boards detail how it formed, which is great for those who don’t know much about geology.

  • Tessellated Pavement
    Tessellated Pavement

Bullimah Beach

Surrounded by cliffs, Bullimah Beach, is a small, yellow sand beach at Gerrin Point Headland. From the beach and the boardwalk above, you get views over the South Pacific Ocean to the Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands.

  • Bullimah Beach Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Bullimah Beach
  • Liesegang Banding in Sandstone
    Liesegang Banding in Sandstone

Gerrin Point Lookout

Situated high on the cliffs, overlooking the ocean, this lookout provides fantastic views of the coastline.

From here, the track becomes rougher along with more steps and stairs, but it passes through some great coastal bushland, along with more great views.

  • Gerrin Point Lookout
    Gerrin Point Lookout

Maitland Bay Beach

The walking track ends at Maitland Bay Beach. This is a lovely sandy 500m long stretch of beach that is great for a swim or relaxing on. Have a look at the rocks and small cliff faces and you will find some interesting weathering patterns in the rocks.

From the beach you can either walk up the Maitland Bay Track to the car park, or continue on down the beach. On the beach, we found some sculptures made from driftwood, which looked really amazing, and was something we didn’t expect to find.

Walking along the beach, you will find steps leading up the headland, which are the continuation of the Bouddi Coastal Walk.

  • View of Maitland Bay
    View of Maitland Bay
  • Maitland Bay Beach Bouddi National Park
    Maitland Bay Beach
  • Maitland Bay Beach
    Maitland Bay Beach

Driftwood Art on the Beach

  • Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
    Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
  • Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
    Sculpture made of Driftwood on Maitland Bay Beach
  • Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
    Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
  • Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
    Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
  • Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
    Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach

Rocks and Geology

  • Cliff Geology on Maitland Bay Beach
    Cliff Geology on Maitland Bay Beach
  • Rock Weathering Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
    Liesegang Banding in Sandstone
  • Cliff Geology on Maitland Bay Beach
    Cliff Geology on Maitland Bay Beach
  • Rock Weathering Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
    Rock Weathering

Bouddi Point

At the north end of the beach is Bouddi Point.  This is the area where the SS Maitland came to grief. We had a look and could not see any wreckage. The volunteer at the Information Centre told us later that it would have to be a very low tide to see much. Still, the rocks were fun to climb over.

Bouddi Point Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Bouddi Point
Bouddi Point Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Bouddi Point

Maitland Bay to Little Beach

The Track

Maitland Bay to Little Beach is by far the hardest part of the track, because of the numerous hills you climb and descend. During our walk, there was not much of a breeze and it was very humid, so we became hot very quickly. Remember to take plenty of water with you, because you don’t want to get dehydrated.

Although the walk is hard, the views are magnificent, and there is not need to rush, so take your time.

Once the walk meets the Bombi Moor Fire Trail, the worst of the steps are finished. This 1.2 km. trail is covered with the wood chips, which makes it easy to walk on.

  • Sandstone Steps Going Up From Maitland Bay Beach to the Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Sandstone Steps Going Up From Maitland Bay Beach to the Bouddi Coastal Walk
  • Steps Going Up
    Steps Going Up
  • Rough Walking Track
    Rough Walking Track

The Views

  • Coastal View Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Coastal View
  • Coastal View Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Coastal View
  • Coastal View Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Steps and Bridge With a View of the Coast
  • Cliff Edge on the Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Cliff Edge on the Bouddi Coastal Walk

Native Flowers and Plants

During our walk, we came across many native flowers in bloom, because of the time of year. Spring really is a great time to walk, with great weather and the flowers everywhere.

  • Native Flowers on the Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Native Flowers on the Bouddi Coastal Walk
  • Native Iris Patersonia Sericea
    Native Iris Patersonia Sericea
  • Dew on Eucalyptus Leaves Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Dew on Eucalyptus Leaves
  • Dew on Leaves Bouddi Coastal Walk
    Dew on Leaves

Little Beach

Little Beach, is a small 100m-long stretch of sand and rocks, facing the ocean. The beach is backed by a gully and sided by steep rocky headlands. The beach has a south easterly aspect and has its own campsite.

Little Beach campsite is a small grassed area, set back from the beach with six designated sites, a composting toilet, rubbish bins, Gas barbecues and a shelter, but has no drinking water. If you camp here, everything will need to be carried down the hill from the car park.

This beach is not patrolled.

  • Little Beach
    Little Beach
  • Little Beach
    Little Beach

MacMasters Beach

The Coastal Walk ends at MacMasters Beach. A beautiful sandy beach with great water and car parking available. Located at the south end is a coffee shop selling meals and drinks. After such a huge walk this is a great place to relax and refuel. If you don’t feel like a swim in the ocean there is an ocean pool near the surf club.

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Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail Bushwalking

View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout

How to Get There

The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail can be started at either end, but we chose Pearl Beach, which has a carpark at the Crommelin Arboretum. Driving through Pearl Beach is interesting, because all of the streets are named after gemstones. A short walk back down the road from the carpark takes you to the start of the track.

The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail

The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail is a 4.4km well defined track taking around one hour to complete, one-way. It is well maintained and sign posted, because it it a fire trail. Bike riders also use the trail, so be careful to keep out of their way. The track passes through red gum forest, which provides a great backdrop to the walk.

  • Signpost at the Start of the Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
    Signpost at the Start of the Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
  • The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
    The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
  • The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
    The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail

Pearl Caves

About 300m into the walk, the hillside on the left becomes steeper and you will notice rock overhangs at the base. These become quite large and form sandstone caves under the cliff. We decided not to walk though the bush to go inside as the undergrowth was very dense. Instead, we looked at them from the track.

Pearl Caves
Pearl Caves

Warrah Lookout

Located a further 1.4km past Pearl Caves is Warrah Lookout, with spectacular views over the Hawkesbury River. If you look carefully, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is visible on the far side.

  • Warrah Lookout Sign
    Warrah Lookout Sign
  • View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
    View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
  • View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
    View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
  • Hawkesbury River Through Trees at Warrah Lookout
    Hawkesbury River Through Trees at Warrah Lookout

What Did We Think?

This was a great walk, with wonderful views from the lookout surrounded by eucalypt forest. We thought it was a good walk because of the scenery and amazing coastal views.

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Beautiful Piles Creek Loop Track

Phil Houghton Bridge

Piles Creek Loop Track

Located in Brisbane Water National Park, Piles Creek Loop Track is a grade 5 challenging walk threading through dry eucalypt forest along Piles Creek, passing waterfalls and crossing a suspension bridge. Managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the track is in good condition, but the Grade 5 rating reflects unformed paths, steep climbs and limited direction signs.

Getting There

A one-hour drive north of Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway, take the Central Coast Highway exit, then:

  • Take the first left onto Wisemans Ferry Road
  • Then take the first left onto Old Pacific Highway
  • Take the first left onto Quarry Road
  • The picnic area, where the trail begins, is through the tunnel and straight ahead.

Be aware of the carpark’s closing time, as rangers lock the gates after hours.

Car Park

The carpark is small, and becomes full early, because the park is popular. Additional spaces are available on the road leading to the car park, although this means a longer walk. A ticket machine in the car park allows you to pay the entry fee on arrival.

Piles Creek Loop Track

Starting at the same spot as the Girrakool Loop Track, the Piles Creek track follows the creek to the south west. The walk takes you through eucalypt forest and past steep rock faces of the Piles Creek Gully. Spaced along the walk are fenced lookout, which enable to to admire the scenery in safety.

Several small creeks are crossed with bridges or walkways. In several places there are stepping stones, which are fun to use. The Rat Gully crossing uses steps cut into boulders in the creek, which need to be used with care to avoid slipping.

Although it hadn’t rained recently, several areas were muddy, including some steps, so we took things slowly to avoid slipping.

This four kilometer loop took us 3.5 hours to complete, which we really enjoyed because of the challenge and amazing scenery.

  • Rough Stairway
    Rough Stairway on Piles Creek Loop Track
  • Wooden Walkway
    Wooden Walkway on the Piles Creek Loop Track
  • Piles Creek Loop Track
    Piles Creek Loop Track
  • Large Boulder
    Large Boulder
  • Rough Stairway Piles Creek Loop Track
    Rough Stairway on Piles Creek Track
  • Wet Muddy Steps on Piles Creek Loop Track
    Wet Muddy Steps on Piles Creek Loop Track
  • Formed Steps on Piles Creek Loop Track
    Formed Steps on Piles Creek Track
  • Steps cut into a Boulder Crossing Rat Gully Piles Creek Loop Track
    Steps cut into a Boulder Crossing Rat Gully
  • Piles Creek Loop Track
    Piles Creek Track
  • View Over Brisbane Water National Park Piles Creek Loop Track
    View Over Brisbane Water National Park

Signage and Directions

Generally well sign posted, several signs are ambiguous, so stay alert to your location. We found the track quite well defined, where others had used it, which made finding the right direction easy.

  • Typical Signage
    Typical Signage

Phil Houghton Bridge

The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with parts still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge.

At this point, there is an option to extend the walk to the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge, by following the Hawkesbury Track. This track will take you 2.2 kilometers along Piles Creek and then Mooney Mooney Creek to the old bridge. Alternatively, should you wish to do this section, it it accessible from the Pacific Highway, which makes the overall walk shorter.

We chose to take the return trip straight away by following the track back to the Girrakool car park.

  • Phil Houghton Bridge
    Phil Houghton Bridge
  • Phil Houghton Bridge
    Phil Houghton Bridge

Hawkesbury Track From the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge to Phil Houghton Bridge

This is only a small section of the Hawkesbury Track at 2.2 kilometers one way, making it an easy walk taking around an hour return.

Getting There

Located on the Pacific Highway, the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge has a small area nearby where cars can park. From here we walked over the bridge to look at the creek and surrounding eucalypt forest. We then walked down a track to the creek, where the structure of the bridge can be seen.

This section of the track can also be walked from the Phil Houghton Bridge if you are doing the Piles Creek Loop Track, adding 4.4 kilometers to that walk.

Old Mooney Mooney Bridge

Old Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge on the Old Pacific Highway is a steel truss bridge built in 1930. The bridge forms part of the Pacific Highway between Calga and Kariong near Gosford. The bridge also forms part of the Great North Walk which is a popular walking trail connecting Sydney and Newcastle.

There are great views of the creek from on top and under the bridge, as well as the interesting structure of the bridge itself.

  • Old Mooney Mooney Bridge
    Old Mooney Mooney Bridge
  • Mooney Mooney Creek
    Mooney Mooney Creek

The Hawkesbury Track

The track near the bridge is very easy to walk because it is flat and follows the creek. However, once it reaches Piles Creek and a marshy area, the track climbs up the gorge wall becoming steep in places. Passing through the eucalypt forest, it crosses several creeks, which have bridges are walkways over them.

The forest and views over the creek are amazing, with fern trees and mossy boulders to be found amongst the trees.

When you reach the Phil Houghton Bridge, you can continue on and complete the Piles Creek Loop Track, or return to the Old Mooney Mooney Bridge. Piles creek is a grade 5 four kilometer loop, that takes around three and a half to four hours to walk.

Hawkesbury Track
Track Down From the Pacific Highway
Mooney Mooney Creek
Mooney Mooney Creek
Hawkesbury Track Along Mooney Mooney Creek
Hawkesbury Track Along Mooney Mooney Creek
Hawkesbury Track
Moss Covered Boulder on the Hawkesbury Track
Ferns
Ferns on the Hawkesbury Track
Trees
Trees on the Hawkesbury Track
Trees
Trees on the Hawkesbury Track
Ferns
Ferns on the Hawkesbury Track
Small Creek Crossing
Small Creek Crossing

What did We Think?