This walk runs along the shoreline from Bateau Bay to Forresters Beach, in the southern section of Wyrrabalong National Park. The walk is very exposed to the ocean and should not be done at high tide or during rough seas. Much of the shoreline is strewn with boulders, which makes the walking harder but makes the scenery more interesting. The shapes and textures of the boulders, combined with the steep hills and low cliffs of the coastline, plus the uninterrupted ocean views, combine to give quite dramatic scenery and atmosphere for the walk. Consider making a loop walk by returning on the Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track.
(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 Shoreline walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wyrrabalong Shoreline 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.
Length
4.6km
Time
2 hrs
.
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
2.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (800m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.9km of this walk follows a rough unclear track and another 1.5km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (190m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 4.4km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 190m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 2.5km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
2.5km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety and another 1.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation). The remaining (710m) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
2km of this walk has no facilities provided and another 1.6km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). Whilst another 910m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and the remaining 80m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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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
Bottom of northern Bateau Bay Beach access track Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 108 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
From the intersection, this walk goes down the timber steps, towards the beach. The walk follows the boardwalk and timber steps down the hill until reaching Bateau Bay Beach[1].
(0.11 km)
Bottom of northern Bateau Bay Beach access track
to
Crackneck rockshelf Route: Hard - beach,bushtrack
Length = 1.13 km
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 31 m
Descent = -29 m
Continue straight: From the bottom of the northern Bateau Bay Beach[2] access stairs, this walk goes south along the beach, keeping the ocean to the left. Towards the southern end of the beach, the walk arrives at the base of some concrete steps, beside a concrete management trail. Turn left: From the bottom of the southern Bateau Bay[3] Beach access track (beside the concrete management trail), this walk goes south across the sand, keeping the ocean to the left. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at the southern edge of Bateau Bay Beach[4], with a much narrower strip of sand continuing south. Continue straight: From the southern end of Bateau Bay Beach, this walk goes south, along the narrow strip of sand, keeping the ocean to the left. The walk passes a concrete stormwater outlet (to the right) and a short distance later reaches the end of the sandy strip, with some mangrove trees to the left. Continue straight: From the end of the narrow beach strip, this walk passes some mangrove trees, to the left, and follows the sandy track south, keeping the ocean to the left. After a short distance, the walk reaches the end of the sandy track, at the rockshelf.
(1.24 km)
Crackneck rockshelf
to
Crackneck beach Route: Hard - beach
Length = 466 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -15 m
Continue straight: From the end of the sandy track, the walk goes across the rockshelf, following the coastline south, keeping the ocean to the left. There are some interesting textures in the rock, with some regular, angular cracks in places, making for some intriguing scenery. The walk then goes around the headland and continues a short distance to the unnamed beach beneath Crackneck Lookout, covered in rounded fist-sized rocks.
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.
(1.71 km)
Crackneck beach
to
Bottom of Henrys Rd beach access Route: Hard - beach
Length = 2.82 km
Time = 1 Hr
Climb = 116 m
Descent = -120 m
Continue straight: From the unnamed beach beneath Crackneck Lookout, this walk follows the coastline south, keeping the ocean to the left. The walk goes 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 right, 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 sandy, northern end of Forresters Beach. Note: This section of the walk may be impassible at high tide or during high seas. Continue straight: From the northern end of Forresters Beach, this walk goes south along the beach, keeping the ocean to the left. After a while, the walk reaches the bottom of the Henrys Rd beach access trail, marked by a sign indicating dogs are allowed to the south but not to the north.
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
Int of South Scenic Rd and Henrys Rd Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 80 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From Forresters Beach, this walk passes the sign indicating dogs are allowed to the south but not to the north, and follows the management trail steeply up the hill. The walk goes up the boarded trail, passing a shower area to the left, and goes over the low gate to reach South Scenic Rd, near the intersection with Henrys Rd.
Catch the bus from Int of South Scenic Rd and Henrys 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.
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 :)