An excellent 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. The two main lookouts along the way, Crackneck and Wyrrabalong, have stunning views and would be great spots to stop for a picnic lunch.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track 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
3.8km
Time
1 hr 30 mins
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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
1.8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (380m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 560m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.2km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 3.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 3.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 3.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 240m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Catch the bus to Entrance of Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
(0 km)
Entrance of Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
to
Top of northern Bateau Bay Beach access steps Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 523 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -2 m
From the entrance to the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort (at the intersection of Bateau Bay Rd and Moronga St, Bateau Bay), this walk follows the sandy track as it goes behind the wooden fence and runs alongside Bateau Bay Rd, keeping the road to the right. After a short distance the track swings away from the road and meanders through the trees for a short distance, passing an old concrete tank, to the left, and ignoring sidetracks to ocean viewpoints etc. The walk then turns right at an intersection near a viewpoint, looking over the caravan park. From here the walk follows the sandy bush track directly away fro the nearby caravan park, ignores a bush track to the left, and soon enters the picnic area and reaches an intersection beside the top of the wooden beach access steps.
Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout
Alt = 12 m
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.
(0.52 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
Continue straight: 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.
(0.62 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.
(0.88 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.
(2.17 km)
Crackneck Lookout
to
End of Crackneck management trail Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 272 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 6 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.
(2.45 km)
End of Crackneck management trail
to
Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 242 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = 0 m
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.
(2.69 km)
Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track
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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)
(2.69 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.
(3.61 km)
Wyrrabalong Lookout
to
End of Cromarty Hill Rd Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 191 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -13 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.
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.
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 walk the track once a week early in morning and just love it, but it is getting quite overgrown now, does it get maintained and could someone arrange for the track to be cut back.
admin - re: Walking Group
Super Administrator | 2012-03-01 00:36:20
Deborah Day wrote:
We walk the track once a week early in morning and just love it, but it is getting quite overgrown now, does it get maintained and could someone arrange for the track to be cut back.
Thanks Deborah
I will pass your comments onto NPWS who manage the track.
Thanks
Matt :)
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 :)