A fairly tough but fantastic walk in the southern section of Wyrrabalong National Park. This walk runs through a long, thin strip of beautiful coastal forest, with fantastic views of the coastline from many vantage points along the way, and returns via the boulder-strewn shoreline and beaches. There is a lot of rock-hopping along the shoreline section and it is very exposed to the ocean, so it is fairly tough going and should not be attempted at high tide or with heavy seas. The variety of scenery through the various stages of the walk is excellent.
(open in app)
This walk passes through a remote area and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.
Cross sectional view of the Wyrrabalong Coast Walk circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wyrrabalong Coast Walk circuit 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
9km
Time
3 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 5/6
Route: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Rough unclear track (5/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Infrastructure
No facilities provided (5/6)
*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
4.8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1.2km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.9km of this walk follows a rough unclear track and another 2.7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 1.9km follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 1.5km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
4.4km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 3.4km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.2km) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
4.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 2.5km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (2.1km) requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 2.5km is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety. The remaining (710m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
3.1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 2.3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). Whilst another 2km has no facilities provided and the remaining 1.6km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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 bus to Top of northern Bateau Bay Beach access steps
This unnamed picnic area and lookout is within Wyrrabalong National Park, at the intersection of Reserve Dr and Harbour St, Bateau Bay. The picnic area overlooks Bateau Bay and the beach. There are large grass areas, plenty of shade and facilities including picnic tables, garbage bins, and beach access steps. There are beautiful views along the coast and out to sea from the picnic area. There are free electric BBQs at Sutton Reserve, a block further south along Reserve Dr. Takeaway food is available at a small shopping centre near the intersection of Harbour St and Bateau Bay Rd, one block from the picnic area.
(0 km)
Top of northern Bateau Bay Beach access steps
to
South end of Bateau Bay Beach picnic area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 95 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -1 m
Starting from the track intersection beside the beach access steps, this walk follows the faint track a very short distance across the picnic area, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. The walk soon arrives at some seats and an open viewing area, to the left, with stunning views across the water. Continue straight: From the viewpoint, this walk goes south across the picnic area, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. The walk passes a fenced viewing area just before reaching an intersection at the end of the picnic area, with a concrete beach-access track to the left.
(0.1 km)
South end of Bateau Bay Beach picnic area
to
Rushby St car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 264 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track past the 'Wyrrabalong National Park Service Trail Walkers Only' sign, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. This walk passes through a nice strip of forest, passing a number of fenced viewing points, to the left, with great views out to sea. After a while, the walk emerges at another picnic area, next to a toilet block, and continues across the picnic area and car park, reaching an intersection signposted 'Coast Track', with a gated concrete driveway and beach access steps to the left.
Southern Bateau Bay beach picnic area
Alt = 20 m
This picnic area, near the intersection of Reserve Dr and Rushby St, Bateau Bay, overlooks the southern end of Bateau Bay and the beach. The facilities include toilets, picnic tables, garbage bins and some slides for the kids. There are great views along the coast and out to sea. There is plenty of shade.
(0.36 km)
Rushby St car park
to
Crackneck Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.29 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 88 m
Descent = -12 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Coast Track' arrow along the bush track, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. The walk climbs gently and passes a number of side tracks on either side, which go a short distance to ocean viewing spots or the nearby road. After a while, the walk reaches an intersection in the middle of a grassy clearing, with more ocean views. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track south, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. The walk soon passes a bench seat with a commemorative plaque, and continues through the bush on the sandy track. Ignoring a track to the right (which goes to the nearby street), the walk continues along sections of track with retaining boards, for some time before arriving beside Hilltop St. The walk continues along the bush track close to Hilltop St, going along sections of boardwalk before climbing some wooden steps and emerging at the northern edge of Crackneck Lookout (at the end of Hilltop St).
Crackneck Lookout
Alt = 98 m
This lookout, at the end of Hilltop St, Bateau Bay, has stunning views up and down the coastline, and out to sea. There are picnic tables and an information board about marine mammals. There is a hangliding launch spot beside the lookout.
(1.65 km)
Crackneck Lookout
to
Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track Track: Moderate - servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 514 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -11 m
Veer right: From the southern edge of Crackneck Lookout (at the end of Hilltop St), the walk goes around the gate and follows the 'Coast Track' arrow, along the old management trail toward 'Wyrrabalong Lookout', keeping the ocean to the left. The walk passes a National Park information board, to the left, then takes the right-hand branch at a prominent fork. From here, the walk follows the main trail, ignoring numerous short side tracks (some of which lead to clifftop viewpoints) until reaching the end of the management trail and the start of a sandy bush track, to the right, marked with some timber posts. Veer right: From the junction at the end of the management trail, this walk follows the sandy bush track marked with some timber posts. The track goes for a very short distance to an intersection, with another sandy bush track to the right, marked with several wooden posts and a signpost (indicating walkers are permitted but no dogs or motorbikes). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy bush track south, leaving the signpost behind on the right. The track passes through lovely bush with plenty of grass trees and, after a short distance, reaches an intersection with another sandy bush track, to the right, at the start of some low sandstone retaining walls.
(2.17 km)
Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track
to
End of Stephenson Rd Alternate Exit:
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
( Show detail)
Length = 132 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy bush track away from the ocean, towards the large water tanks. The track widens to a management trail and passes the tanks, to the right, and continues down the hill, passing around a gate, to the end of Stephenson Rd, Bateau Bay. (End of the alternative exit track)
(2.17 km)
Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track
to
Wyrrabalong Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 923 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 43 m
Descent = -32 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the sandy bush track south, keeping the ocean to the left. Initially the track has low sandstone retaining walls on either side. The track soon passes a 'Coastal Heathlands' information board and continues along the top of a ridge with extensive views out to sea, and inland, before going down a long set of metal stairs. The walk then passes through a section of thick heath, before emerging briefly to more ocean views at a fenced viewpoint. The track continues for some distance, with occasional ocean views, climbing several sets of wooden steps before arriving at the Wyrrabalong Lookout.
Wyrrabalong Lookout and Cromarty Hill
Alt = 124 m
This lookout and picnic area is on Cromarty Hill, near the end of Cromarty Hill Rd, Forresters Beach. There are picnic tables and fantastic views from the lookout point, as well as the concrete roof platform beside the large communications tower. There is a hang gliding launch spot beside the lookout.
(3.09 km)
Wyrrabalong Lookout
to
Int of South Scenic Rd and Henrys Rd Track: Moderate - servicetrail,road,road
Length = 1.36 km
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -108 m
Veer right: From Wyrrabalong Lookout, this walk goes across the grassy area, passing a trig point (to the left) and following the old management trail between the communications tower and satellite dish. There are great views over Forresters Beach from the concrete platform on top of the building, next to the tower. The walk then goes down the hill for a short distance, passing around a gate, signposted 'Wyrrabalong National Park', and arriving at the end of Cromarty Hill Rd. Continue straight: From the end of Cromarty Hill Rd, this walk follows the road down the hill, away from the 'Wyrrabalong National Park' sign. After a while, the road changes from gravel to asphalt, bends to the left and becomes North Scenic Rd. The walk continues along the road until reaching the intersection with Forresters Beach Rd. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows Forresters Beach Rd down the hill. The road soon bends to the right and becomes South Scenic Rd as it runs parallel to the beach. After a short distance, the walk reaches the top of the beach access track near the intersection with Henrys Rd.
(4.45 km)
Int of South Scenic Rd and Henrys Rd
to
Bottom of Henrys Rd beach access Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 80 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -18 m
Turn left: From the top of the beach access track, this walk goes over the low gate and follows the management trail steeply down the hill. The walk passes a shower area, to the right, and continues a short distance down the boarded trail to Forresters Beach.
Forresters Beach
Alt = 8 m
Forresters Beach is the name of a township and beach on the Central Coast of NSW. There are public toilets and a beach access path near the intersection of Crystal St and Kalakau Ave, and a beach access path near the bottom of Henrys Rd.
(4.53 km)
Bottom of Henrys Rd beach access
to
Crackneck beach Route: Hard - beach
Length = 2.82 km
Time = 1 Hr
Climb = 120 m
Descent = -116 m
Turn left: From the bottom of the Henrys Rd beach access trail, this walk goes north along the beach, keeping the ocean to the right. After a while, the walk reaches the end of the sandy beach where the rocky shoreline starts. Continue straight: From the northern end of Forresters Beach, this walk follows the coast north, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk travels over the rocky, boulder-covered shoreline for quite a while, with a lot of rock-hopping involved. There is only a narrow strip between the water and the steep hills, to the left, and great care should be exercised. The imposing hills, interesting textures and shapes in the rocks, and the crashing waves all combine to provide fantastic scenery and atmosphere. A fair number of old engine blocks and other car parts are lying in the rocks, rusting away slowly. The walk eventually reaches the unnamed beach beneath Crackneck Lookout, covered in rounded fist-sized rocks. Note: This section of the walk may be impassible at high tide or during high seas.
Crackneck Beach
Alt = 14 m
This unnamed beach is below Crackneck Lookout and can be reached with some difficulty by walking along the very rocky shoreline from Forresters Beach, to the south, or from Bateau Bay beach, to the north. The beach is covered in rounded rocks about the size of a fist.
(7.35 km)
Crackneck beach
to
Crackneck rockshelf Route: Hard - beach
Length = 466 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -18 m
Continue straight: From the unnamed beach beneath Crackneck Lookout, this walk follows the coastline north, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk goes around the headland and continues across the rockshelf to the end of a sandy track running behind the rockshelf. There are some interesting textures in the rock, with some regular, angular cracks in places, making for some intriguing scenery.
(7.81 km)
Crackneck rockshelf
to
Southern end of Bateau Bay Beach Route: Hard - bushtrack,beach
Length = 712 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -18 m
Continue straight: From the rockshelf, this walk follows the sandy track north, keeping the ocean to the right. The track runs along a narrow strip of level ground beneath the hills as it approaches Bateau Bay. After a short distance, the walk passes some mangrove trees, to the right, reaching the start of a narrow strip of beach. Continue straight: From the end of the narrow beach strip, this walk goes north along the sand, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk passes a concrete stormwater outlet (to the left) and a short distance later reaches the southern end of the much wider Bateau Bay Beach.
(8.53 km)
Southern end of Bateau Bay Beach
to
Bottom of northern Bateau Bay Beach access track Track: Hard - beach
Length = 419 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -13 m
Continue straight: From the southern edge of Bateau Bay Beach[1], this walk goes north across the sand, keeping the ocean to the right. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at the bottom of the concrete steps of the southern Bateau Bay Beach[2] access track (beside the concrete management trail). Turn right: From the bottom of the steps, this walk goes north along the beach, keeping the ocean to the right. Towards the northern end of the beach, the walk arrives at the base of a flight of wooden stairs.
(8.94 km)
Bottom of northern Bateau Bay Beach access track
to
Top of northern Bateau Bay Beach access steps Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 108 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the bottom of the northern Bateau Bay Beach[3] access stairs, this walk goes up the staircase, away from the beach. The walk continues up the steps and boardwalk to an intersection at the top of the steps.
Catch the bus from Top of northern Bateau Bay Beach access steps
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.
Wyrrabalong National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Wyrrabalong National park on the NSW Central Coast is divided into two main sections. The northern section sits between the South Pacific Ocean and Tuggerah Lake (with the Central Coast Hwy cutting up the middle) south of Norah Head. The south section covers a coastal strip from Forresters Beach to Bateau Bay. The park is rich with great views, sandy beaches and the last significant coastal rainforest in the area. A great place for walking, swimming, fishing and relaxing. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
We did this walk with a young Scout troop (years 5 & 6 mostly) in November 2009 as a "Red Cord" themed hike - dressed up as pirates. Directions were excellent, especially some of the details like the bench with an inscription or all the rusting car engines along the coast. Pretty hard walk which took more like 6 hours with an hour's break in the middle. The rocky coastline was pretty impressive. Some of them were the size of a bus.
AlanM - High Seas Day
IP:125.254.73.xxx | 2011-05-06 07:24:19
Because of a warning to rock fishermen and having a look at various places, decided to retrace my steps rather than push my luck on the rocky route.
Hiking near Sydney 
Route: Hard
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 :)