This walk explores a section of Brisbane Water National Park between the villages of Patonga and Pearl Beach. From Patonga, this walk takes you up a track following the Great North Walk route, and then a wider trail brings you to a short (and very worthwhile) side trip to Warrah Lookout. From here, the walk follows the wide trail down to Pearl Beach for lunch at the cafe or a dip at the beach. Enjoy the wildflowers in spring and also great water views on sunny days.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Patonga to Pearl Beach bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Patonga to Pearl Beach 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
4.3km
Time
1 hr 45 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*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
2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (530m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 4.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.9km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 4.3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 4.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 3.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 920m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Online bushwalking Magazine. Download the full magazine for free Bushwalk Australia eMag The Online Magazine is produces by the community at bushwalk.com and the Wildwalks team Bushwalk.com Australia's most active bushwalking forum - Check it out. Happy Reading. Matt :)
Catch the ferry to Patonga Beach
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about $80+). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about $16 pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride.
Patonga Village is a lovely small township on the Hawkesbury River. Just near the ferry wharf are a few helpful facilities:
The Eve Williams Memorial Oval[1], where you will find a large pavilion[2], drinking water[3] and public toilets[4].
A fish and chips shop (and general store)[5] is open reasonable hours, where you can buy lunch, a coffee[6] and basic supplies (fishing needs, milk, canned food)[7].
Patonga Beach Hotel[8] is available for a cold drink at the bar[9] or a meal on the deck[10], or even overnight accommodation[11] (from $242 a couple) ph: 02 4379 1111.
(0 km)
Patonga Wharf car park
to
Warrah Reserve boat ramp Walk: Easy - road
Length = 361 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -12 m
From the car park[12] at Patonga wharf[13], this walk follows the footpath beside Patonga Drive[14], keeping the water on the right. The road leads out of town passing beside 'Eve Williams Memorial Oval'[15][16][17] for 70m to find a large 'The Great North Walk' sign[18] opposite the toilet block[19]. Soon after this sign, this walk turns right following the 'Boat Ramp' sign and GNW arrow post[20] down along a side road[21] for 220m to find a parking area beside Patonga's boat ramp[22]. (Alternatively it is possible to walk along the sandy beach[23] from the wharf to the boat ramp.)
Warrah Reserve boat ramp
Alt = 2 m
Warrah Reserve boat ramp provides a large car park and access to both the boat ramp and Patonga Beach. There are garbage bins, a picnic table and information board. The boat ramp offers good views along the beach to 'Dark Corner', found at the eastern end of Patonga Beach.
(0.36 km)
Warrah Reserve boat ramp
to
Eastern end of Patonga Beach Walk: Easy - beach
Length = 166 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the boat ramp, this walk follows the power lines across the car park, keeping the water to the right. The walk heads around the gate and continues to follow the power lines across the sand, coming to the eastern end of Patonga Beach and the 'Brisbane Water National Park' sign[24]. This area of the beach is also know as 'Dark Corner'[25].
(0.53 km)
Eastern end of Patonga Beach
to
Broken Bay View Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 593 m
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 122 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the eastern end of Patonga beach, this walk follows the 'Warrah Trig 1.7km' sign[26] up the steps. The track winds up the side on the hill, turning left and following the ridge line uphill. Soon after passing up some stairs between the rock, the track comes to a lovely view across the water. Here, the track turns left and climbs up more steps before flattening out and passing a few more GNW arrows. Just after passing two GNW arrows next to each other (at the end of a large crack in the rock), the track passes a few large Sydney Red Gums and comes to an unfenced rock platform on the right - Broken Bay view.
Broken Bay View
Alt = 124 m
Broken Bay View is an informal, unnamed and unfenced vantage point at the top of the cliffs, east of Patonga. The large rock platform has a number of large Sydney Red Gums, providing some shade. There are great views across the Hawkesbury River, along Cowan Creek and to West Head. The views to the left extend past Lion Island to Barrenjoey Head and out to the Pacific Ocean.
(1.12 km)
Broken Bay View
to
Int of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail and Patonga track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 328 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer left: From the Broken Bay view, this walk follows Great North Walk arrows uphill along the track. The track winds gently through the bush, with the occasional water glimpse to the right. After a short time, the track comes to a clear intersection with the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail with a sign pointing back to 'Patonga'[27].
(1.45 km)
Int of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail and Patonga track
to
Warrah Lookout intersection Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 369 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -26 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow downhill along the wide management trail. After about 250m, the trail passes a track on the right (marked with 5 large boulders - this informal track leads to an unfenced view). The walk continues along the management trail for another 100m and comes to an intersection near the Warrah Lookout, and a sign pointing back to 'Patonga'[28].
(1.82 km)
Warrah Lookout intersection
to
Warrah Lookout Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads between the timber posts and follows the 'Warrah Lookout' sign[29] along the sandstone footpath. The path leads through the bush for a short distance, coming to the fenced Warrah Lookout. (Beware of informal side tracks that lead to unfenced sections of cliff.) (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Warrah Lookout
Alt = 114 m
Warrah Lookout is a mostly fenced lookout on a large sandstone platform. The lookout provides fantastic views across the Hawkesbury River. From left to right, you can see along the escarpment which forms the southern boundary of Brisbane Water National Park, out to the Pacific Ocean, Barrenjoey Headland, West Head, along Cowan Creek, Juno Point and along the escarpment to Patonga. This is a great place to spend some time soaking up the views.
(1.82 km)
Warrah Lookout intersection
to
Pearl Caves Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.16 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = -89 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Pearl Beach' sign[30] downhill along the management trail. The trail leads down the hill and bends right soon after some filtered water views over Pearl Beach. The trail then start to bend around the side of a steep gully and, about 70m after passing between two large rocks, the trail rounds a left-hand bend, just below a long cliff face with several sandstone caves.
Pearl Caves
Alt = 51 m
Pearl Caves is an informal name for a couple of caves found on the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. The two large overhangs are found near the base of a cliff. The caves look north and have outward-sloping floors. One cave has a few small columns and stalagmite/stalactite decorations growing at the back. To protect the caves (and yourself), the caves are best viewed from a distance.
(2.97 km)
Pearl Caves
to
Lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 458 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -50 m
Continue straight: From the caves, this walk heads downhill along the management trail, keeping the steep valley to the left. There is a distinct change in vegetation as the trail winds down the hill. About 100m after seeing the house, the trail leads around a locked gate and a 'Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail' sign[31] onto Crystal St (about 60m up from the end of the sealed section of road).
(3.43 km)
Lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail
to
Pearl Beach Cafe Walk: Easy - road
Length = 727 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads east along the dirt Crystal Ave, keeping the downhill slope (valley) on the left. After about 40m, the road becomes sealed and the walk continues past the houses, turning left onto Diamond Rd. The walk then crosses Green Point Creek on a bridge (with a detailed risk warning sign[32]) and after a further 120m, the walk turns right to follow Tourmaline Ave. Soon, the walk comes to some shops, turning left onto Pearl Parade, coming to the front of the cafe[33].
Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe
Alt = 3 m
The Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe (ph 02 4343 1222) is found at 1 Pearl Pde, Pearl Beach, and is open 7 days. The cafe provides breakfast, lunch and dinners for about $20 a meal. The general store[34] provides cheaper take-away meals and general supplies (including ice-creams). Across the road is Pearl Beach and some children's play equipment[35]. Alternatively for a more refined dining experience, 'Pearls on the Beach' is found on the other side of the road, open Thursday to Sundays for lunch and dinner (ph 02 4342 4400)[36]. More info
(4.16 km)
Pearl Beach Cafe
to
Pearl Beach (Amethyst Ave access) Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 118 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the cafe, this walk follows Pearl Pde, keeping the water to the right. The footpath leads past a bus stop[37], crossing the road and heading past the play equipment[38]. The walk comes to a toilet block[39] and wide entrance to Pearl Beach, almost opposite Amethyst Ave.
Pearl Beach
Alt = 3 m
Pearl Beach is a 1.2km long crescent-shaped, yellow sand beach. The beach has rocky points at either end - the southern end is home to an ocean pool and the northern end has the old Pearl Beach Road carved through the rock (no longer in use for cars). The beach has many access points and is popular for sunbathers, picnickers, and swimmers, although there is no surf life saver presence. The south-east facing beach is lined with houses in the northern section, and shade-providing trees in the south.
Catch the bus from Pearl Beach (Amethyst Ave access)
Catch a ferry to Patonga Beach There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about $80+). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about $16 pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride. Get Timetable
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.
Brisbane Water National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Brisbane Waters National Park is situated south west of Gosford perched on the Hawkesbury River. The park is characterised by sandstone features, Aboriginal engravings, flowery heaths, bird life and spectacular water views. Brisbane Waters NP has many bushwalks through the are with the Great North Walk passing through the middle of the park. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
First trip to this area. How lovely is Pearl Beach! An easy walk and a well used track...including those athletes who used it as a workout(running up the fire track from the Pearl Beach end). Would have loved to have found this site before we went on the walk...would have been nice to have had lunch at the cafe. Well worth doing.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
Catch a ferry to Patonga Beach 
not too much longer now :)