Bouddi Coastal Walk

3 h to 5 h

8.5 km
oneway

↑ 447 m
↓ -416 m

Hard track
This is one of the longer walks in the Bouddi National Park and it is rich in scenery. The walk follows the coastline with many side trips to lookouts, beaches and even a shipwreck. This walk makes a wonderful one way trip from Graham Drive down to Putty Beach, with views around every corner. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.5283249,151.3738741)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom The Entrance Road, A49, Erina.
  • Turn on to then drive for 560 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Terrigal Drive and drive for another 1.4 km
  • Continue onto Terrigal Drive and drive for another 1.3 km
  • Keep left onto Terrigal Drive and drive for another 450 m
  • Turn right onto Charles Kay Road and drive for another 1.1 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Scenic Highway and drive for another 2.8 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Avoca Drive and drive for another 2 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Empire Bay Drive and drive for another 360 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Empire Bay Drive and drive for another 5.8 km
  • Turn left onto Wards Hill Road and drive for another 2.3 km
  • Turn right onto The Scenic Road and drive for another 820 m
  • Turn left onto Putty Beach Drive and drive for another 1.2 km
  • Turn slight left and drive for another 35 m
Finish (-33.5011505,151.4234494)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park at the end of Putty Beach Road, pass through the bollard and head towards the green "Bouddi Coastal Walk" signpost. Pass by the said signpost and head along the narrow dirt/sand track. Cross the stream and follow the same track (keeping the ocean to your right) to continue along Bouddi Coastal Walk.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a BBQ (about 70 m back from the start).
There is a picnic table (about 50 m back from the start).
There is a car park (about 40 m back from the start).
There is a toilet (about 30 m back from the start).
Find the water tap at the start.
Find the sign at the start.
After another 40 m cross the ford.
After another 50 m continue straight.
After another 100 m head down the steps (about 45 m long)
Then pass the "Bouddi Coastal Walk" (on your left).
After another 540 m pass the "Bouddi Coastal Walk" (on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Bullimah Beach. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 335 m find the "Gerrin Point Lookout" (on your right).
Gerrin Point Lookout
Gerrin Point Lookout

Gerrin Point Lookout is a fenced lookout with stunning views of Maitland Bay and north up the coast. The lookout has a bench seat built into the fence. Gerrin Point is well worth a visit, or a stop on your walk, however it is exposed to the elements and can become quite windy.
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Gerrin Point Lookout is a fenced lookout with stunning views of Maitland Bay and north up the coast. The lookout has a bench seat built into the fence. Gerrin Point is well worth a visit, or a stop on your walk, however it is exposed to the elements and can become quite windy.
After another 130 m continue straight, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 1.3 km pass the "Bouddi Coastal Walk" (6 m on your left).
At the intersection of Bouddi Coastal Walk & Maitland Bay Track veer right, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 130 m head up the surface|paving_stones steps (about 20 m long)
After another 85 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 160 m cross the ford.
After another 85 m find the "Maitland Beach" (40 m on your right).
Maitland Beach
Maitland Beach

Maitland Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a 500m-long sandy beach sitting north west of Putty Beach. The beach's south-westerly aspect provides views over the South Pacific Ocean to Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. A creek breaks the centre of the beach, and the wreck of S.S. Maitland (after which the beach and bay are named) is found on the eastern rock point.
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Maitland Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a 500m-long sandy beach sitting north west of Putty Beach. The beach's south-westerly aspect provides views over the South Pacific Ocean to Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. A creek breaks the centre of the beach, and the wreck of S.S. Maitland (after which the beach and bay are named) is found on the eastern rock point.
After another 370 m veer left, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 10 m head down the steps (about 35 m long)
Then pass the sign (on your left).
After another 90 m turn left, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 10 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Bouddi Lookout. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 265 m (at the intersection of Bouddi Coastal Walk & Mount Bouddi Track) turn right, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 200 m head down the stone steps (about 8 m long)
Then cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
After another 680 m cross the ford.
After another 290 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 640 m (at the intersection of Bombi Moor Trail & Old Quarry Trail) continue straight, to head along Bombi Moor Trail.
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Bombi Moor Trail & Third Point Trail) continue straight, to head along Bombi Moor Trail.
After another 570 m pass the "Bouddi Coastal Walk" (on your right).
At the intersection of Bombi Moor Trail & 78 Trail continue straight (a footpath).
After another 430 m turn right, to head along Little Beach Trail.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Little Beach Trail.
After another 15 m pass the "Bouddi Coastal Walk" (15 m on your right).
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Little Beach Trail.
After another 245 m pass the toilet (5 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the sign (on your right).
Then pass the shelter (on your right).
Then pass the BBQ (on your right).
Then pass the picnic table (9 m on your right).
Then find the "Little Beach Campsite" (7 m on your left).
Little Beach Campsite
Little Beach Campsite

Little Beach campsite is a small grassed area, wedged between the hills and set back from the beach. The campsite has six designated sites, a composting toilet, rubbish bins, Gas BBQ's and a shelter. There is no drinking water onsite and the beach is only 20m away.
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Little Beach campsite is a small grassed area, wedged between the hills and set back from the beach. The campsite has six designated sites, a composting toilet, rubbish bins, Gas BBQ's and a shelter. There is no drinking water onsite and the beach is only 20m away.

After another 50 m find the "Little Beach" (50 m on your right).
Little Beach
Little Beach

Little Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a small 100m-long stretch of sand and rocks, facing out to the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean. The beach is backed by a gully and sided by steep rocky headlands. The beach has a south easterly aspect and has its own campsite.
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Little Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a small 100m-long stretch of sand and rocks, facing out to the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean. The beach is backed by a gully and sided by steep rocky headlands. The beach has a south easterly aspect and has its own campsite.
After another 510 m continue straight, to head along Mourawaring Moor Trail.
After another 110 m pass the picnic table (30 m on your left).
After another 220 m pass the "72 Trail" (on your right).
At the intersection of Mourawaring Moor Trail & 72 Trail veer left, to head along Mourawaring Moor Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Mourawaring Point (Second Point). To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 200 m (at the intersection of Mourawaring Moor Trail & Second Point Trail) veer left, to head along Mourawaring Moor Trail.
After another 100 m pass the "Bouddi Coastal Walk" (7 m on your right).
After another 8 m head through/around the gate.
After another 225 m turn right.
After another 315 m come to a sign.
The end.

An optional side trip to Bouddi Lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Mount Bouddi Track & Bouddi Coastal Walk Start heading along Mount Bouddi Track (a walking track).
Find the sign at the start.
After another 175 m turn right.
After another 6 m come to "Bouddi Lookout".
Continue another 0 m to find Bouddi Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 180 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Bullimah Beach.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 95 m head down the steps (about 20 m long)
Then find the "Bullimah Beach" (25 m on your right).
Bullimah Beach
Bullimah Beach

Bullimah Beach in Bouddi National Park is a small, yellow sand beach pressed into Gerrin Point headland and the surrounding cliffs. The beach is south-west facing, with views over the South Pacific Ocean to the Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands.
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Bullimah Beach in Bouddi National Park is a small, yellow sand beach pressed into Gerrin Point headland and the surrounding cliffs. The beach is south-west facing, with views over the South Pacific Ocean to the Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands.

After another 4 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 115 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Mourawaring Point (Second Point).
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Second Point Trail & Mourawaring Moor Trail Start heading along Second Point Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 520 m come to "Second Point".
Second Point
Second Point

Second Point, Mourawaring Point, is an easily accessed, unfenced lookout with awesome views over the central coast. The headland traditional name is Mourawaring (Point), which is also known by Captain Cook's 1770 naming of Second Point. Cook named it such because it was the second of three defining headlands which he observed from sea. Today the low heath of Mourawaring Point provides excellent views out to sea and north over MacMasters Beach.
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Second Point, Mourawaring Point, is an easily accessed, unfenced lookout with awesome views over the central coast. The headland traditional name is Mourawaring (Point), which is also known by Captain Cook's 1770 naming of Second Point. Cook named it such because it was the second of three defining headlands which he observed from sea. Today the low heath of Mourawaring Point provides excellent views out to sea and north over MacMasters Beach.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 520 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bouddi Coastal Walk


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 8.5 km
Time 3 h to 5 h
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Campsite: There is one 6.9 km from the start.

Shelter: There is one 6.9 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.8 km apart with the largest gap of 6.9 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-30 m[toilet]
Shelter
6.9 km[shelter]
Campsite
6.9 kmLittle Beach Campsite
Toilet
6.9 km[toilet]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Little Beach
Little Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a small 100m-long stretch of sand and rocks, facing out to the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean. The beach is backed by a gully and sided by steep rocky headlands. The beach has a south easterly aspect and has its own campsite.
Little Beach Campsite
Little Beach campsite is a small grassed area, wedged between the hills and set back from the beach. The campsite has six designated sites, a composting toilet, rubbish bins, Gas BBQ's and a shelter. There is no drinking water onsite and the beach is only 20m away.
Bouddi Lookout
Bouddi Lookout, Bouddi National Park, is a great first look at the Bouddi Coast as you come out of the bush on Bouddi Spur. There are views of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the heath covered headlands in front of the lookout. Not as grand a view as other lookouts in the area, but worth a pause on your way to the Bouddi Coast Track.
S.S. Maitland Shipwreck
The S.S. Maitland was a paddle steamer brought to Australia from Glasgow, Scotland, to transport people and cargo between the Hunter and the Hawkesbury Rivers. There was no rail line from Newcastle to Sydney in the 1800's. The Maitland was on its route out of the Barrenjoey Headlands when it was overwhelmed by the aptly-named 'Maitland Gale'. The storm which wrecked the Maitland also took numerous other ships on May 6, 1898. Of the 36 passengers aboard the Maitland, 24 lost their lives. Many of the survivors were commended for their heroism. Wreckage of the Maitland can still be seen today, with parts of the boiler and a section of the iron hull strewn across the rock flats of the point. The bay was previously known as Boat Harbour, then renamed Maitland Bay after the disaster in 1898.
Maitland Beach
Maitland Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a 500m-long sandy beach sitting north west of Putty Beach. The beach's south-westerly aspect provides views over the South Pacific Ocean to Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. A creek breaks the centre of the beach, and the wreck of S.S. Maitland (after which the beach and bay are named) is found on the eastern rock point.
Bullimah Beach
Bullimah Beach in Bouddi National Park is a small, yellow sand beach pressed into Gerrin Point headland and the surrounding cliffs. The beach is south-west facing, with views over the South Pacific Ocean to the Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands.
Putty Beach Camping Area
Putty Beach camping area is a spacious, grassed area with easy access to the beach. The campsite is also home to many Brush Turkeys. Facilities include drinking water, flush toilets, open-air showers, rubbish bins, BBQ's (gas/electric). Wood fires not permitted. Campsites must be booked in peak periods, up to 3 months in advance. They can be booked by phoning (02) 4320 4203. A campsite costs $14/ adult (16+) and $7/child (5-15). Park Entry and parking: Parking and entry costs $7/ 24 hours. Single park entry passes can be picked up from Killcare Cellars and General Store - 56 Araluen Drive, Killcare. Alternatively they can be obtained from ticket dispensers in the Picnic and Camping Areas. General enquiries - call DECC Central Coast (02) 4320 4200 or 4329 4280.
Putty Beach
Putty Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a large south-easterly facing beach that is almost completely framed by National Park. On the north-eastern end of the beach is the Bouddi Trail, and a large car park and campsite. At the south-western end of the beach is the Killcare Surf Lifesaving Club. Putty Beach is a patrolled beach and and locals enjoy it for a surf, swim or dive.
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