This is one of the longer walks in the Bouddi National Park and it is rich in scenery. The walk follows the coastline with many side trips to lookouts, beaches and even a shipwreck. This walk makes a wonderful one way trip from Graham Drive down to Putty Beach, with views around every corner.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Bouddi National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Bouddi Coastal Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bouddi Coastal Walk bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
8km
Time
5 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
4km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (390m) is very steep.
Quality of track
7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 850m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (580m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
3.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 3km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (1.1km) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.7km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (1.3km) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Grahame Dr car park
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Int. Bouddi Trail Access and Little Beach Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 279 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -20 m
From the car park, this walk follows the 'Little Beach' sign along the management trail, passing around a gate. The walk heads down the hill, crosses a creek, and climbs up the hill out of the gully. The walk then winds down to a signposted intersection, with a bush track to the right.
(0.28 km)
Int. Bouddi Trail Access and Little Beach Trk
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Little Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 316 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -26 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, following the 'Little Beach 200m' sign. After approximately 300m, the walk comes to Little Beach campsite and continues to the point where the creek meets the beach. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Little Beach
Alt = 3 m
Little Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a small 100m-long stretch of sand and rocks, facing out to the Tasman Sea and South Pacific 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
Alt = 9 m
Little Beach campsite is a small grassed area, wedged between the hills and set back from the beach. The campsite has six designated sites, a composting toilet, rubbish bins, Gas BBQ's and a shelter. There is no drinking water onsite and the beach is only 20m away.
(0.28 km)
Int. Bouddi Trail Access and Little Beach Trk
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Sandy Clearing Little Beach Access Trail Int. Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 455 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 77 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, following the 'Maitland Bay' sign. The track winds up the hill, tending left along a white sandy section of track, then continues through the scrub for approximately 300m to the signposted intersection in a large sandy clearing.
(0.73 km)
Sandy Clearing Little Beach Access Trail Int.
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End of Caves Bay management trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.27 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -50 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bombi Point' arrow along the sandy track, going down the hill. The track winds down the hill for some time before climbing to the signposted intersection. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the sea far on the left of the track. The trail continues down to a large sandy area marked by a 'Little Beach car park' sign. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, in the opposite direction to the Little Beach car park. The trail winds down the spur for some time, then straightens out and continues for a while before ending in a larger clear area, signposted 'Bouddi Coastal Walk'.
(2 km)
End of Caves Bay management trail
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Int. Bouddi Trail and Dingeldei Picnic Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.17 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 96 m
Descent = -105 m
Turn right: From the clearing, this walk follows the 'Maitland Bay' arrow along the bush track, going down the hill and keeping the ocean to the left. The walk then descends and climbs steeply, with numerous steps, crossing two creeks, before coming to a third creek crossing with a wooden bridge. From the bridge, the walk climbs to the top of the stairs then continues along the hillside to the signposted intersection.
(3.17 km)
Int. Bouddi Trail and Dingeldei Picnic Trail
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Bouddi Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 351 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 56 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Mt Bouddi' arrow up the hill. The walk climbs many steps to the lookout, at the top of a small rocky hill. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Bouddi Lookout
Alt = 119 m
Bouddi Lookout, Bouddi National Park, is a great first look at the Bouddi Coast as you come out of the bush on Bouddi Spur. There are views of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the heath covered headlands in front of the lookout. Not as grand a view as other lookouts in the area, but worth a pause on your way to the Bouddi Coast Track.
(3.17 km)
Int. Bouddi Coastal Trk and Dingeldei Picnic Trail
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Eastern corner of Maitland Beach Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 391 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -67 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Maitland Bay' arrow along the bush track, going down the hill. After a while, the walk drops into a clearing, on the saddle between the headland and the spur, and turns right, going down some steep steps to the beach.
(3.56 km)
Eastern corner of Maitland Beach
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S.S. Maitland Shipwreck Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - notrack
Length = 312 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -15 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the cliff line out towards the sea, beneath the rocky headland. The walk heads over rocks and boulders, to the rock flats at the point. Here lies the S.S.Maitland shipwreck. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
S.S. Maitland Shipwreck
Alt = 2 m
The S.S. Maitland was a paddle steamer brought to Australia from Glasgow, Scotland, to transport people and cargo between the Hunter and the Hawkesbury Rivers. There was no rail line from Newcastle to Sydney in the 1800's. The Maitland was on its route out of the Barrenjoey Headlands when it was overwhelmed by the aptly-named 'Maitland Gale'. The storm which wrecked the Maitland also took numerous other ships on May 6, 1898. Of the 36 passengers aboard the Maitland, 24 lost their lives. Many of the survivors were commended for their heroism.
Wreckage of the Maitland can still be seen today, with parts of the boiler and a section of the iron hull strewn across the rock flats of the point. The bay was previously known as Boat Harbour, then renamed Maitland Bay after the disaster in 1898. More info
Maitland Beach
Alt = 1 m
Maitland Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a 500m-long sandy beach sitting north west of Putty Beach. The beach's south-westerly aspect provides views over the South Pacific Ocean to Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. A creek breaks the centre of the beach, and the wreck of S.S. Maitland (after which the beach and bay are named) is found on the eastern rock point.
(3.56 km)
Eastern corner of Maitland Beach
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Maitland Beach West End Track: Hard - beach
Length = 598 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From the eastern end of the beach, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the ocean to the left. The walk continues along the beach to an area where a creek has cut its way through the sand.
Continue straight: From the creek, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the ocean on the left. The walk leads to the base of some paved steps, which lead up the hill away from the beach.
(4.16 km)
Maitland Beach West End
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Int. of Maitland Bay Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 245 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the western end of Maitland Beach, the walk follows the paved track up the hill at the point marked by the sign. The track winds its way up the hill then straightens out before the signposted intersection.
(4.4 km)
Int. of Maitland Bay Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk
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Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.66 km
Time = 38 mins
Climb = 80 m
Descent = -104 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, following the track marked by the 'Bouddi Coastal Walk' sign. The track goes over many rises with steps, and crosses fenced bridges over the valleys between. This continues for some time, until the track arrives in a clearing before a fenced lookout, Gerrin Point. Turn right: From Gerrin Point lookout, this walk follows the track down the hill, keeping the water below on the left. The track continues along steps and boardwalks, following the hillside to the sign posted intersection.
(6.06 km)
Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk
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Bullimah Beach Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 136 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the boardwalk track following the 'Bullimah Beach' sign. The walk follows the boardwalk staircase down to the beach below. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
Bullimah Beach
Alt = 9 m
Bullimah Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a small, yellow sand beach pressed into Gerrin Point headland and the surrounding cliffs. The beach is south-west facing, with views over the South Pacific Ocean to the Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands.
(6.06 km)
Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk
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Putty Beach Camping Area Trk Track: Hard - bushtrack,beach
Length = 880 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 28 m
Descent = -47 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the edge of the headland following the railed pathway, with the ocean below on the left. As the track rounds the headland to Putty Beach, it passes a red rock area and continues down to a staircase onto the beach. The walk then heads approximately 150m along the beach, to where the creek has cut through the sand. Continue straight: From the creek, this walk heads west along the beach, keeping the water on the left. After approximately 200m, the walk reaches a spot on the beach opposite a white-roofed building behind the dunes, just before another wide (dry) creek entry.
(6.94 km)
Putty Beach Camping Area Trk
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Putty Beach Camping Area Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 94 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the beach, this walk heads away from the ocean towards the white-roofed building behind the beach. The track winds along the fenced sandy track to Putty Beach camping area. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Putty Beach Camping Area
Alt = 2 m
Putty Beach camping area is a spacious, grassed area with easy access to the beach. The campsite is also home to many Brush Turkeys. Facilities include drinking water, flush toilets, open-air showers, rubbish bins, BBQ's (gas/electric). Wood fires not permitted.
Campsites must be booked in peak periods, up to 3 months in advance. They can be booked by phoning (02) 4320 4203.
A campsite costs $14/ adult (16+) and $7/child (5-15).
Park Entry and parking: Parking and entry costs $7/ 24 hours. Single park entry passes can be picked up from Killcare Cellars and General Store - 56 Araluen Drive, Killcare. Alternatively they can be obtained from ticket dispensers in the Picnic and Camping Areas.
General enquiries - call DECC Central Coast (02) 4320 4200 or 4329 4280.
(6.94 km)
Putty Beach Camping Area Trk
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Putty Beach car park Trk Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 1.08 km
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From a spot on the beach opposite a white-roofed building behind the dunes, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the ocean to the left. The walk continues past numerous beach access routes, on the right, until it comes to the lifeguard tower (near the car park).
Putty Beach
Alt = 1 m
Putty Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a large south-easterly facing beach that is almost completely framed by National Park. On the north-eastern end of the beach is the Bouddi Trail, and a large car park and campsite. At the south-western end of the beach is the Killcare Surf Lifesaving Club. Putty Beach is a patrolled beach and and locals enjoy it for a surf, swim or dive.
(8.02 km)
Putty Beach
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Putty Beach car park Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 56 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the beach, this walk heads up the hill along a stony path, to the car park behind the beach.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Bouddi National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Bouddi National Park is south east of Woy Woy and encompasses the Box Head headland. Bouddi NP has numerous secluded beaches and some great surf beaches too. The park also offers fantastic coastal walking with views out from the tall headlands over Broken Bay, Woy Woy and the South Pacific Ocean. Bouddi NP also boasts one of the first marine extensions in NSW, with a 300ha protection zone out of Maitland Bay for the marine life. The mosquitoes in Bouddi NP can be fierce so it might be an idea to pack insect repellent. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Bouddi National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Old Wagstaffe trail There is no public access available through private property to Old Wagstaffe trail. Signs indicate where public access is not permitted. Penalties apply for non-compliance For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury North area office on (02) 4320 4200 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
a fantastic walk especially on a sunny winters day. i've done this walk a few times in the past but a new inclusion is the Killcare Surf Lifesaving Club which provided a delicious chicken works burger. a welcome suprise as i was doing this walk as a return.
Atul Rastogi - Beautiful Walk
IP:139.130.194.xxx | 2010-09-14 05:59:21
An excellent walk. Not very difficult. Offers some spectacular views. Information provided by wildwalks was very useful. Gerrin Point look out is simply superb.
Strongly recommended.
Msch - Liesegang Rings
IP:27.32.63.xxx | 2011-05-29 09:06:13
We did this walk in January 2011. Stunning vistas, vary varied walk. And some nice Liesegang rings (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liesegang_rings_(geology)) in the last third of the walk.
Molly - Fabulous - but a query and upd
IP:129.78.32.xxx | 2012-03-09 05:16:39
Hi, and thanks for the great notes. I got slightly confused over the directions for Mt Bouddi lookout. Is this the path labelled 'Mt Bouddi carpark'? How far up should I have gone? I got almost to the carpark (about 2.5 kms) without seeing a lookout, unless it was the small rock with a tiny view of a bit of sea through a gap in the trees (too boxed in to see the coastline views you mention).
And there is public transport - buses go from Woy Woy to the Killcare end, and the MacGregor beach end (a couple of kms extra past Little Beach for the latter, plus you would be better off getting just one bus from Gosford). As well, the local taxi company picks up and drops off at either end. Phone 131008 - about $30 to either end, which isn't too bad, and only 15 mins compared to 60 mins for the bus trips.
I'll be going back for more, probably stringing together some of the shorter walks you list. Thanks!
Cheryl
IP:120.29.1.xxx | 2012-10-23 05:04:15
A great walk - very good views. It is very hot on a hot day and the ups and downs seemed hard. Our experience was that we couldn't get a taxi to come to the Putty Beach end and get us for such a short trip (6km by road) - it's not the sort of location many taxis go to; and we only saw school buses. We had to hitch a lift...
Graheme Fox - Excellent day out ,a great cha
IP:101.174.0.xxx | 2013-03-17 23:51:11
I walked this track on the 17/3/2013 to Putty beach and returning back to little beach carpark. Mind blowing walk as there was a raging southerly direct on to the coast. Hugh surf and swell smashing on the cliffs around the Bommie and viewpoints. Started a 1300 and got to Putty around 1600 with some stops for lunch, view points etc..
The return journey was challenging as the steps out of Maitland bay are very steep but great fun. Got to Little beach car park around 1800.
The distance stated is conservitive as the could be closer to 9ks each way.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
5 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)