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Tag: Central Coast

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Avoca Beach and Rock Platform

Looking Out of the Small Cave on Avoca Beach Rock Platform

Avoca Beach and Rock Platform

Getting There

Located on the Central Coast north of Sydney, Avoca Beach is a pristine sandy beach with a lifeguard tower. We found plenty of space in the car park when we visited but during school holidays and weekends parking might be an issue. Change rooms and toilets at the car park were clean and in good condition. At the time we visited there was beach restoration work happening, which will help to maintain the quality of the beach and sand dunes.

Avoca Beach

Sandy tracks give access to the beach from the carpark. The beach is big giving plenty of space to enjoy yourself without other people being too close. The lifeguard / shark tower near the entrance is an interesting feature, as not all Australian beaches have one like this, because lifesavers usually watch the surf from the surf house. With summer around the corner this beach is a great one to spend time on and enjoy!

Sandy Track Down to Avoca Beach
Sandy Track Down to Avoca Beach
Shark Tower on Avoca Beach
Shark Tower on Avoca Beach

Rock Platform

Located at the south end of Avoca Beach, the rock platform is covered in small rock pools and at low tide you can walk around them to examine what is living there. On the cliff side is a small cave which you can enter. From here there is a great view of the ocean framed by the outline of the cave. Further along is a bigger cave, but you will need to go at low tide and be very careful. Some of the large rocks are slippery and you will have to climb over some to get to the entrance.

Rock Formation at Avoca Beach
Rock Formation at Avoca Beach
Looking Out of the Small Cave on Avoca Beach Rock Platform
Looking Out of the Small Cave
Rock Platform
The Rock Platform at Low Tide
Rock Platform
The Rock Platform at Low Tide

Places to Eat

Just before the rock platform are some coffee shops with wonderful views over the ocean and along the beach. This made a great place to stop for a break after exploring the rock platform and before walking back down the beach.

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Long Jetty on the Central Coast

Long Jetty

Located next to The Entrance on the Central Coast, Long Jetty is a quiet coastal spot with some great scenery to enjoy. We found parking easy all along the foreshore but, imagine it would be busy during holiday periods.

Our first stop was Toowoon Beach for a coffee overlooking the beach while we relaxed after our drive. Sitting and looking over the water while drinking the coffee was very relaxing after the drive.

After this we drove to Long Beach where we parked the car and walked along the foreshore. There are thee jetties of varying lengths going into the lake. We walked out on the two largest ones for some great views and photos. The length of the jetties is deceptive and you don’t realize how long they are until you reach the end and look back.

Long Jetty
Long Jetty
Old Boat Shed on Lake Macquarie
Old Boat Shed on Lake Macquarie

There are several grassed areas with picnic facilities and families were using them. Along with the play equipment here it looked like a great place for kids.

Old Park Bench
Old Park Bench
Seat With View over the Jetty
Seat With View over the Jetty

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Maitland Bay Track Bushwalking and a Shipwreck

Walking Track Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park

The Maitland Bay Track is in the Bouddi National Park near Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast. This is one of many walks available locally. We chose this one because it goes down to a beautiful beach with some amazing rock formations.

Maitland Bay Track Information Centre

The car park is large but becomes full on busy days. Nearby is a visitor centre which has information about the local area, from the bush walks available to the local fauna and flora. At the back of the building is a room with the history of the SS Maitland , which sank here on May 6, 1898. Of the 36 passengers aboard the Maitland, 24 lost their lives.

SS Maitland Memorial

Outside the information centre is a small memorial to the Maitland and those who lost their lives.  The centre piece of the memorial is the Bell from the Maitland.

Bell from the SS Maitland Bay Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Bell from the SS Maitland Bay

Maitland Bay Track

The Maitland Bay Track starts from the car park and then descends down a series of pathways and steps to the beach.  Rated grade 3, the track is well maintained, but you will need a reasonable level of fitness at the track is quite steep. Over its one kilometre length, the track descends 146 metres.  This might not sound like much until you have to walk back up.

Bush Walking Track Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Bush Walking Track

Walking Track Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Maitland Bay Track Steps Going Up

The scenery as you walk along the track is very nice Australian bush, with eucalypts and ferns everywhere. 

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.

Maitland Bay Beach Bouddi National Park
Maitland Bay Beach

Rock Weathering Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Rock Weathering

Rock Weathering Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Rock Weathering

Waves at Maitland Bay Beach Bouddi National Park
Waves at Maitland Bay Beach

Honeycomb Rock Weathering Maitland Bay Track Bouddi National Park
Honeycomb Rock Weathering

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

Walking Back to the Car Park

The walk back up took us twice as long as walking down because of the uphill grade. We decided to take a detour along the Bouddi Coastal Walk, which takes off to the left as you go uphill.  There was some really nice coastal views along this walk and made the detour worthwhile.

We enjoyed the Maitland Bay Walk and will be going back to walk some of the other tracks in the area.