This walk forms a loop, starting at the Maitland Bay Information Centre. The walk visits Maitland Bay, with an optional side trip to the S.S. Maitland Shipwreck, best seen at low tide. The changes in vegetation with altitude are evident and provide a lot to see along the track.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Bouddi National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Maitland Bay Info Centre - Mt Bouddi - Maitland Bay
Cross sectional view of the Maitland Bay Info Centre - Mt Bouddi - Maitland Bay bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Maitland Bay Info Centre - Mt Bouddi - Maitland Bay 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
6km
Time
2 hrs 15 mins
.
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
2.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.3km has short steep hills. Whilst another 620m is flat with no steps and the remaining 390m is very steep.
Quality of track
4.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 960m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 620m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 390m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
3.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 2.3km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (620m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
2.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 2.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (1.6km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Maitland Bay Information Centre, was once the old Maitland Store and residence[1]. The store was a influential piece of infrastructure as it acted as a meeting place for Trustees and a hub for early tourism. Today the store is still a hub for tourism but as an Information Centre open on weekends and public holidays. As well as information on the area there is also parking, a public phone and drinking water.
(0 km)
Maitland Bay Information Centre
to
The Scenic Rd Gate Trk Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 718 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -49 m
From Maitland Bay Information Centre, this walk heads along the footpath towards the public phone box. The walk then turns left down the management trail, to the gate marked with 'Bouddi National Park' signs. Turn left: From the gate, this walk turns left, heading down the hill. The track then continues along the lightly undulating management trail, leading soon to an intersection with another management trail on the left.
(0.72 km)
The Scenic Rd Gate Trk
to
Int. Stroms Fire Trail and Mt Bouddi Rd Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.4 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 42 m
Descent = -20 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, leaving the management trail and gate behind on the left. The walk winds and undulates for some time as it passes a rocky outcrop and a house (both above on the left). The walk climbs up a small hill, to pass a gate and continue onto the road.
(2.12 km)
Int. Stroms Fire Trail and Mt Bouddi Rd
to
Dingeldei Picnic Area Walk: Easy - road
Length = 618 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -13 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk leaves "Strom's Fire trail" gate behind on the right and follows the road down the hill. The walk continues for a short time down to a car park and picnic shelter.
The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter
Alt = 156 m
The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter was built in 1962, thanks to volunteers. A.W. (Bill) Dingeldei was a trustee of the park who did considerable work on it himself. Today the Dingeldei picnic area is a quiet, leafy spot, perched on the hill behind Mount Bouddi. The picnic area contains a picnic table, toilets, BBQ and rubbish facilities. It also has a new car park with ample spaces.
(2.74 km)
Dingeldei Picnic Area and Carpark
to
Bouddi Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 890 m
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -74 m
Continue straight: From the Mt Bouddi carpark (at the end of Mt Bouddi Rd, off Scenic Road), this walk heads past the sandstone building, following the 'Little Beach' sign. The walk goes down a few flights of stairs, and meanders for some time, passing some old metal fence posts, passing through another saddle, and arriving at Bouddi Lookout, on a small rocky outcrop.
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.
(3.63 km)
Bouddi Lookout
to
Int. Bouddi Trail and Dingeldei Picnic Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 351 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -56 m
Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk follows the bush track down the ridge line. The walk winds down the hill for some time, using a lot of steps, to a signposted intersection.
(3.98 km)
Int. Bouddi Coastal Trk and Dingeldei Picnic Trail
to
Eastern corner of Maitland Beach Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 391 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -67 m
Veer right: 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.
(4.37 km)
Eastern corner of Maitland Beach
to
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
(4.37 km)
Eastern corner of Maitland Beach
to
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.
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.
(4.97 km)
Maitland Beach West End
to
Maitland Bay Information Centre Track: Hard - footpath,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 1.06 km
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 151 m
Descent = -2 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. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Parking Area' sign along the bush track. The track winds up the hill to a bridge and then continues on, passing a large overhang (on the right), above which is a view from a rock landing. The track continues up the stairs for some time, coming to an intersection. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk goes up the staircase, following the 'Parking Area' sign up the hill. The staircase continues for some time until it reaches the car park intersection. From here, the walk turns right, passing an information board, to the brick building next to the road - Maitland Bay Information Centre.
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 8 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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)