This walk follows a wide trail then a track to the fantastic views from Warrah Lookout. From Pearl Beach, this walk follows the roads to the lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. Continuing up this trail, the walk passes some sandstone caves and further on, enjoys the fenced Warrah Lookout. There are some great views before returning the same way back to Pearl Beach.
(open in app)
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout 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
5km
Time
2 hrs
.
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
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
1.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 850m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (70m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 2.5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 1.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 920m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 2.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 2.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Catch the bus to Pearl Beach (Amethyst Ave access)
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.
(0 km)
Pearl Beach (Amethyst Ave access)
to
Pearl Beach Cafe Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 118 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
From the toilet block and entrance to Pearl Beach, this walk follows Pearl Pde past the end of Amethyst Ave, keeping the ocean to the left. At the play equipment[1], the walk crosses the road and heads past the bus stop[2], coming to the Pearl Beach Cafe.
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[3] provides cheaper take-away meals and general supplies (including ice-creams). Across the road is Pearl Beach and some children's play equipment[4]. 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)[5]. More info
(0.12 km)
Pearl Beach Cafe
to
Lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail Walk: Easy - road
Length = 727 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the cafe[6], this walk heads away from the beach and along Tourmaline Ave. The walk then turns left onto Diamond Rd and follows it across the bridge (with a detailed risk warning sign[7]), then heads up the hill and turns right onto Crystal Ave. The walk follows Crystal Ave until about 40m past the end of the sealed section of road, and comes to an intersection, locked gate and a NPWS 'Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail' sign[8] on the left.
(0.85 km)
Lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail
to
Pearl Caves Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 458 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 50 m
Descent = -9 m
Turn left: From the intersection at the signposted lower end of 'Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail'[9] (on Crystal St, about 60m up from the end of the sealed section of road). This walk heads around the gate and follows the management trail up the hill. The trail winds up the hill and the vegetation changes quite dramatically with the rise. As the gully becomes steeper on the right, the track bends right. There is a long cliff here, above on the left, and just before the next right-hand bend, there are a couple of sandstone caves up the hill to the left.
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.
(1.3 km)
Pearl Caves
to
Warrah Lookout intersection Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.16 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 89 m
Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From the caves, this walk follows the management trail up the hill around the right-hand bend, keeping the steep gully to the right. The trail soon leads between two large rocks and then around a left bend (with filtered views over Pearl Beach to the right). The trail continues to gently wind up the hill until coming to a well signposted intersection, with a sign pointing back to 'Pearl Beach'[10].
(2.46 km)
Warrah Lookout intersection
to
Warrah Lookout Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 70 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads between the timber posts and follows the 'Warrah Lookout' sign[11] 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.)
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.
Catch the bus from Pearl Beach (Amethyst Ave access)
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)