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Lifesaver lookout at Caves Beach +
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Southern end of Caves Beach +
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Steps up away from Caves Beach +
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Timber steps up and out of Caves Beach +
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Small creek at the southern end of Caves Beach +
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Sealed footpath above Caves Beach +
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Footpath to the Caves Beach Lookout +
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The view from Caves Beach Lookout +
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Grassy track near the Caves Beach Lookout +
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Track near Caves Beach Lookout +
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Track with Caves Beach Road in the distance +
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Caves Beach Road in Caves Beach +
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Ocean View Parade sign in Caves Beach +
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Grassy track near Caves Beach Road in Caves Beach +
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Timber fence and sealed track near Caves Beach Road in Caves Beach +
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View north from near Caves Beach Road in Caves Beach +
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Shadow on coastal walk track in Caves Beach +
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Timber footbridge on the coastal track in Caves Beach +
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Sealed track towards Spoon Rocks in Caves Beach +
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Timber fence beside track on the Coastal walk in Caves Beach +
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Spoon Rocks Spit near Caves Beach +
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Spoon Rocks Spit near the Coastal walk +
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Track near Spoon Rocks Spit +
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Track intersection and timber footbridge on the Coastal walk +
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Steps and track on the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Timber steps on the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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View of Spoon Rocks Spit from the south on the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Metal railing on the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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View of the coastline and Spoon Rocks Spit in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Safety sign in the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Timber walk through fencing on the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Blank sign on the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Timber boardwalk near Pinneys Beach in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Track with Pinney's Headland in the distance +
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Rocky track with timber track marker in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Track and timber track markers in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Vandalized sign on the Coastal walk with Pinney's Beach in the distance +
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Timber bridge over Pinney's Creek in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Pinney's creek in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Pinney's Creek looking towards Pinney's Beach +
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Timber bridge over Pinney's Creek in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Trail with Pinney's creek in the distance +
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Trail near Pinney's Creek and Pinney's Beach +
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Locked gate on trail on the coastal walk +
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Intersection on the coastal walk on the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Creek crossing on the coastal walk in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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Views to the north from Pinney's Headland in the Wallarah Pennisula +
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View from Pinney's Headland Lookout +
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Trail with signage on Pinney's Headland in Wallarah Pennisula +
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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 Wallarah Coastal Walk bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallarah 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.
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Length |
8km |
| Time |
3 hrs |
| . |
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Grade 4/6
Track: Hard |
AS 2156.1 |
Gradient |
Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track |
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) |
| Signs |
Minimal directional signs (4/6) |
| Experience Required |
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| 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
2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (40m) is very steep.
Quality of track
Around 3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 880m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2.2km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 1.9km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 3.1km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 4.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 760m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (280m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
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Wallarah Pennisula
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Alt = 13 m |
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Wallarah Penisula, also referred to as the Swansea Pennisula, is surrounded by water and includes the Wallarah National Park. The Wallarah Pennisula stretches from Lake Macquarie in the west to the ocean in the east, from Swansea and Caves Beach in the north to Catherine Hill Bay and Lake Munmorah in the south. Within the Wallarah National Park, there are plenty of things to do, including walking, fishing, swimming and surfing. The coastal views are spectacular, and this is also a good whale watching spot. The Wallarah National Park co-operates with its park neighbours, including Stockland Wallarah Peninsula Pty Ltd, on a wide range of issues relating to the management of the Wallarah Peninsula through a joint management agreement.
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Stuart Chalmers Park
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Alt = 9 m |
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Named after a cancer victim[1], Stuart Chalmers Park is a well established park close to Caves Beach. Stuart Chalmers Park has toilets[2], car parking[3], water, sheltered electric barbeques[4] and picnic tables[5]. The park has easy access to Caves Beach, the cafe Acquablu[6] and the Caves Beach SLSC.
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Caves Beach SLSC
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Alt = 8 m |
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The Swansea-Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, south of Newcastle, was founded in 1929. The SLSC looks after Caves Beach, which runs from this southern end of the beach, for 300m to the northern Swansea (Hams) Beach. A road runs the length of the beach, with car parking along much of it. Though Caves Beach faces the south-east, it is afforded a moderate degree of wave protection by reefs in the centre and north and Spoon Rocks to the south-east. More info
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(0 km)
Cafe Acquablu on Caves Beach
to
Four way intersection (caves beach)
Track: Hard - beach,footpath |
Length = 135 m |
Time = 3 mins |
| Climb = 6 m |
Descent = -2 m |
From Cafe Acquablu[7], this walk leaves the concrete footpath and enters Caves Beach[8], turning to the right. This walk then follows the sandy beach, keeping the ocean on your left, and after about 80m, crosses a small creek[9] and comes to the bottom of timber steps[10].
Continue straight: From the bottom of the timber steps[11] on Caves Beach, this walk follows the steps up[12], leaving the beach behind. This walk continues for about 50m up the concrete and timber steps[13], until coming to a four-way intersection[14] (with uphill concrete steps[15] directly ahead).
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(0.14 km)
Four way intersectin (Caves Beach)
to
Caves Beach Lookout
Track: Moderate - footpath |
Length = 119 m |
Time = 2 mins |
| Climb = 1 m |
Descent = -6 m |
Turn left: From the intersection[16][17], this walk follows the footpath gently uphill[18], while keeping the downhill concrete steps[19] and beach on your left. This walk continues for about 60m until coming to a three-way intersection[20][21] with a concrete footpath on the right.
Veer left: From the intersection[22][23], this walk follows the footpath gently downhill, while keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues for about 50m, undulating gently through coastal vegetation and crossing over a timber footbridge[24], until coming to the circular concrete structure[25] of Caves Beach Lookout[26].
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Caves Beach Lookout
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Alt = 6 m |
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The Cave Beach Lookout, on the southern headland of Caves Beach, is easily accessible via wheelchair from the car park nearby. The lookout offers excellent views[27] over the caves of Caves Beach and also to the north and south. There are is a large stone viewing platform[28] on which to sit and enjoy the views.
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(0.25 km)
Caves Beach Lookout
to
Int of Coastal Walk & Seacliff track
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 905 m |
Time = 17 mins |
| Climb = 27 m |
Descent = -22 m |
Turn sharp right: From Caves Beach Lookout[29], this walk follows the gravel and grass track gently uphill[30], while keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues, undulating gently through coastal vegetation[31] for about 300m, until coming to Caves Beach Road[32].
Turn left: From the intersection[33][34], this walk follows the track beside Caves Beach Road gently downhill, while keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues for about 110m, to find the track gently uphill[35][36] and moving away from Caves Beach Road. Then the walk continues for about 100m and passes between a metal posted fence[37]. This walk continues for about 400m, undulating through coastal vegetation[38] with views[39] on the left, until passing over a timber footbridge[40] and coming to a three-way intersection with a concrete footpath[41] on the right.
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(1.16 km)
Int of Coastal Walk & Seacliff track
to
Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 281 m |
Time = 5 mins |
| Climb = 6 m |
Descent = -10 m |
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Veer left: From the intersection[42], this walk follows the bitumen track gently downhill[43], while keeping the concrete footpath on your right. This walk continues for about 120m through coastal vegetation[44] with views[45] of Spoon's Rocks on the left, to pass through metal posts[46] and onto a sandy track[47]. Then the walk continues for about 160m, until climbing gently[48] up to the land end of Spoon Rocks Spit[49].
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Spoon Rocks Beach
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Alt = 2 m |
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Spoon Rocks Beach, south of Caves Beach is a sheltered sandy beach[50]. Spoon Rocks breakwater[51] forms the southern end of the beach and has allowed sedimentation of sand to occur and created this attractive beach[52]. The beach is 300m long, faces north-east and is good for swimming. The Spoon Rocks Beach is worth the walk in to it.
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(1.44 km)
Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track
to
End of Spoon Rocks Spit
Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - undefined |
Length = 467 m |
Time = 8 mins |
| Climb = 2 m |
Descent = -8 m |
Turn left: From the intersection[53][54], this walk follows the rocky Spoon Rocks Spit out to its end, while moving directly away from the main coastline. This walk continues to follow the rocky spit (initially keeping to the Spoon Rocks Beach side[55][56] of the spit) for about 500m, until coming to the end of Spoon Rocks Spit[57][58]. This track is rocky and exposed to the ocean.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
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Spoon Rocks Spit
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Alt = 2 m |
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Spoon Rocks Spit is a wide breakwater[59] extending 500m out into the ocean. This breakwater was originally designed as a coal loading facility to offload coal mined from the nearby Wallarah seam. The rocks were cut from the cliff face below the spit. Over time, the force of the ocean waves have breached the breakwater. Sedimentation from these ocean forces has established a safe and protected swimming and beach[60] area to the north of the spit.
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(1.44 km)
Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track
to
Int of Coastal Walk & Quarries Track
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 342 m |
Time = 7 mins |
| Climb = 20 m |
Descent = -3 m |
|
Turn right: From the intersection[61][62], this walk follows the track gently uphill[63], while leaving Spoon Rocks Spit and the ocean on your left. This walk continues for about 400m (ignoring side tracks[64]) through coastal vegetation and becoming moderately steep uphill[65], until coming to a three-way intersection with a bridged track[66] and 'Wallarah Peninsula Coastal Walk' sign[67] on the left.
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(1.78 km)
Int of Coastal Walk AND Quarries Track
to
Pinneys Viewpoint
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 994 m |
Time = 21 mins |
| Climb = 36 m |
Descent = -49 m |
|
Turn left: From the intersection[68], this walk crosses a footbridge and follows the moderately steep uphill track[69], while passing the 'Wallarah Peninsula Coastal Walk' sign[70] on your left. This walk continues for about 140m, then climbs up timber steps[71] to a viewing spot[72] over Spoon Rocks Spit. Then the walk continues for about 20m, to a three-way intersection[73]. This walk turns left, following the arrow marker on a timber post[74]. Then this walk continues for about 400m, as the track undulates gently downhill with views and a metal fence[75] on your left, to pass through a timber fenced opening[76]. The walk then continues moderately steeply downhill[77], initially with a timber fence on your right for about 80m to find blank information signs[78] at Split Rocks Headland. The walk continues gently downhill for about 300m, with a short section of timber boardwalk[79] and views of Pinney's Beach[80], until coming to a timber viewing platform and Pinney's Lookout[81].
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Pinneys Lookout
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Alt = 11 m |
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Pinney's Lookout[82] overlooks the northern side of Pinney's Beach on the Wallarah Peninsula. From this timber platform, the whole of Pinney's Beach can be seen, including Pinney's Headland[83] to the south. Some of the timber on this lookout was missing[84] when visited, so take care.
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(2.78 km)
Pinneys Viewpoint
to
Int of Coastal Walk & Pinneys Beach
Track: Moderate - bushtrack,servicetrail |
Length = 182 m |
Time = 3 mins |
| Climb = 0 m |
Descent = -3 m |
Continue straight: From Pinney's Viewpoint[85], this walk follows the track gently downhill[86], while keeping Pinney's Beach on your left. This walk continues for about 70m, including one section of timber boardwalk[87], until coming to a T-intersection[88] with a narrow management trail[89] and blank sign on the right.
Turn left: From the intersection[90], this walk follows Pinneys Trail gently downhill[91], while keeping the track with a blank sign on your left[92]. This walk continues for about 100m through coastal vegetation, until crossing Pinney's Creek via a timber footbridge[93] and coming to a three-way intersection[94], with Pinney's Beach on the left.
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Pinneys Beach
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Alt = 2 m |
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Pinney's Beach is a good beach for fishing, surfing and swimming. This beach is accessible on foot, via the coastal walk. This beach is not patrolled and rock platforms[95] can be dangerous, even when the seas appear calm. Personal fishing is permitted off all the coast in Wallarah National Park, although a licence is needed. A midden (dated to about 1200 years old), with about 20 stone artefacts, was discovered here in the 1960s, but unfortunately 4WD vehicles have caused erosion to this site. More info
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(2.96 km)
Int of Coastal Walk AND Pinneys Beach
to
Int of Coastal Walk AND Wallarah Walk
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 321 m |
Time = 5 mins |
| Climb = 1 m |
Descent = 0 m |
|
Turn right: From the intersection[96][97], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while leaving the bridge and creek on your right. This walk continues for about 160m, passing around a locked gate[98]. Then this walk continues through coastal bush for about 150m, until coming to a three-way intersection[99], with a 'Coastal Walk' sign[100].
|
(3.28 km)
Int of Coastal Walk & Wallarah Walk
to
Int of Coastal Walk & Shark Bay Trail
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 544 m |
Time = 12 mins |
| Climb = 34 m |
Descent = -4 m |
|
Turn left: From the intersection[101], this walk follows the 'Coastal Walk' sign[102] gently uphill. This walk continues moderately steeply uphill[103] for about 400m, and comes to a three-way intersection[104]. Then this walk tends left, following an arrow marker on a timber post, and after about 40m, comes to a three-way intersection. This walk tends left, following an arrow marker on a timber post, for about 80m, coming to a three-way intersection with the gently downhill Shark Bay trail on the right.
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(3.82 km)
Int of Coastal Walk & Shark Bay Track
to
Int of Coastal Track & Southern Loop Junction
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 116 m |
Time = 2 mins |
| Climb = 0 m |
Descent = -5 m |
|
Continue straight: From the intersection[105], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[106] to the left, while keeping the gently downhill[107] Sharks Bay trail on your right. This walk continues, undulating gently for about 110m, until coming to a three-way intersection[108], with a arrow marker[109] on the left.
|
(3.94 km)
Int of Coastal Track & Southern Loop Junction
to
Int of Coastal Track & Pinneys Lookout
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 188 m |
Time = 3 mins |
| Climb = 0 m |
Descent = -12 m |
|
Veer left: From the intersection[110], this walk turns left on the trail and follows the timber arrow marker gently downhill. This walk continues, undulating gently[111] for about 180m, until coming to a timber fence[112] and Pinney's Lookout[113] on the left (just as the trail turns right[114]).
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Pinney's Headland Lookout
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Alt = 23 m |
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There are magnificent vistas from Pinney's Headland Lookout[115], particularly to the north. The headland is accessed on foot via the Wallarah Peninsula coastal walk[116], and the headland itself has a loop walking trail on it. At the southernmost point of this walking loop, there are unfenced rock platforms forming the ocean shoreline - take care. More info
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Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
| Store |
Address |
Phone |
Distance (straight line) |
| Camping Country | 401 Pacific Hwy, Belmont North | (02) 4945 1555 | 9.6 km | Camping World | Cnr Hillsborough & Macquarie Rds, Warners Bay | (02) 4956 6183 | 16 km | Camping World | 3/ 276 Macquarie Rd , Warners Bay | (02) 4956 6183 | 16.7 km | Lake Macquarie Kayaks & Camping | Unit 1 61 Alliance Ave, Morisset | (02) 4973 2028 | 16.1 km | East Lake Refrigeration | 511 Lake Rd , Argenton | (02) 4958 6255 | 19.5 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Wallarah Coastal Walk.
Fire DangerThis walk passes Greater Hunter 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. Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
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Hiking near Sydney 
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 :)