Start this challenging walk at Little Bay Picnic area at Overshot Dam and follow the track to the secluded Gap Beach. The track leads through Hat Head National Park, climbing Little Smoky Mountain to reach the northern end of Gap Beach. The beach is not patrolled, but is a lovely area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dunghutti people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Warning This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills. Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Landsborough Street then drive for 220 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Landsborough Street, 12 and drive for another 590 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Phillip Drive, 12 and drive for another 250 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Phillip Drive, 12 and drive for another 2.8 km
Turn right and drive for another 245 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the parking area at Overshot Dam, follow walk over the grass (keeping the dam to you right and ocean to your left) across the clearing to the signposts and timber fencing, where the track starts.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 150 m pass the car park (30 m on your right).
After another 1 km pass the "Little Smoky" (80 m on your left).
The starting point of an alternate route. Rougher and narrower, but more direct route avoiding the dirt road walking. To take the alternate route turn left here. Details below.
After another 400 m veer right.
After another 120 m veer left.
After another 570 m pass the car park (5 m on your left).
The alternate route finishes here. Turn left to rejoin the main route at the 2.4 km waypoint. Details below.
After another 165 m continue straight.
After another 75 m continue straight.
After another 30 m to find the toilet.
Continue another 90 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.6 km to get back to the start.
Rougher and narrower, but more direct route avoiding the dirt road walking.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 20 m turn around.
After another 20 m turn around.
After another 520 m come to a toilet.
The end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Gap Beach Walking Track
Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length
5.3 km
Time
2 h 15 min to 3 h 15 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
No directional signs (5/6)
Infrastructure
No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Bushwalk
2 h 15 min to 3 h 15 min
Toilet: There is one 2.5 km from the start.
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After 150 m pass the car park (30 m on your right).
After another 1 km pass the "Little Smoky" (80 m on your left).
