Located on the Central Coast of NSW, less than an hour’s drive north of Sydney, south of Newcastle, or a 10-minute drive west of Gosford, Strickland State Forest is a great place to visit.
The forest is only five square kilometres but contains an impressive variety of flora and fauna species, along with extensive walking tracks. These wander through varying forest types, past waterfalls, under cabbage tree palms and along creeks.
The forest has excellent picnic facilities including an all-weather shelter, picnic tables and toilets.
Banksia Picnic Area
We parked at the Banksia Picnic Area, as it was close to the walk we wanted to do, as well as having toilets and picnic facilities. There is also an information board showing the walks available, which is great if you are not sure what you want to do. The walks are clearly sign posted and easy to follow.
Strickland Falls Trail
We chose the Strickland Falls Trail for this visit, because it passes through cool forest areas, full of ferns and passes a waterfall. The trail is well sign posted and generally easy to walk, although it does have steps in many places. The return trail was far easier and passed through tall eucalypts on the ridge.
Lower Trail
The trail towards the waterfall led downhill through a valley where we were surrounded by ferns and trees. On a hot day it felt nice a cool, making us appreciate it even more. The track varied from steps made of stones to flat dirt tracks. On most of the trail, we were surrounded by the plants and trees that the forest is famous for.
Start of the Strickland Falls Trail
Steps Going Uphill
Strickland Falls Trail
Strickland Falls Trail
Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail
Strickland Waterfall
The weather had been very dry prior to our visit, so the waterfall was little more than a trickle, but the surrounding area was wet and damp, giving it a wonderful atmosphere. Although we didn’t see the waterfall at its best, it was still a great place to stop and look around.
From here, the track leads up to the ridge and dry forest above.
Strickland Falls
Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail
Ferns and Palms on the Strickland Falls Trail
Upper Return Trail
The return trail starts with steps leading up from the waterfall, but once you have climbed to the top, most of the remaining track is flat. It passes through dry eucalypt forest, where you can also see Gymea lilies. These were in bloom when we went in spring, with their two to three metre flower stems and bright red flowers making a great display.
The return trail ends near the Banksia Picnic Area, which was near where we had parked.
The Return Track
Gymea lily
Gymea lily
What Did We Think of the Strickland State Forest?
We loved the Strickland Falls Trail because it wandered through different forest types and was fun to walk. We will be going back to do some of the other walks in the future.
Named in memory of Allen Strom who dedicated much of his life to the establishment of many national parks and nature reserves in the state, this lookout is a tribute to him. A plaque in his memory is located here, overlooking the forests and water below.
How to Get There
The Wards Hill Carpark is a convenient place to park, because it is located near the beginning of the walking trail to the lookout. There are two trails that start at the car park. To go to the lookout, you need to follow Rocky Point Trail. This easy, 900m walk passes through eucalypt forest along a well formed and easy to follow path. A sign on the track points to a small side track, where the lookout is located.
The lookout provides views over Hardys Bay and extend across to Wagstaffe and Ettalong. The views are great making the short 900m walk very worthwhile. The lookout area is fenced, ensuring that visitors do not get too close to the side of the hill.
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
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 Track
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
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
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
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
Maitland Bay Beach
Maitland Bay Beach
Driftwood Art on the Beach
Driftwood Artwork on Maitland Bay Beach
Sculpture made of Driftwood on Maitland Bay Beach
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
Liesegang Banding in Sandstone
Cliff Geology on Maitland Bay Beach
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
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
Steps Going Up
Rough Walking Track
The Views
Coastal View
Coastal View
Steps and Bridge With a View of the Coast
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 Iris Patersonia Sericea
Dew on Eucalyptus Leaves
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
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.
