The Pinnacles Loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

1.1 km Circuit

43 m

Moderate track

The Pinnacles are an amazing brightly coloured rock feature, and the centre piece of this walk. The reds and white of the rock contrasts with the green heath and blue sea creating a fantastic sight. The smaller lookout, one without a sign, is a better lookout than the larger area. However, both lookouts give a good view of the Pinnacles.

(0km) Pinnacles car park → Int. Pinnacles and Long Beach Trks

110 m

2 mins

-9m Moderate track

From the corner of the car park below the toilet, this walk follows the 'Long Beach' sign. The track winds down the hill for a short time to a signposted intersection.

(0km) Int. Pinnacles and Long Beach Trks → Long Beach

240 m

6 mins

-37m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Long Beach' sign down the hill. The track winds for a short time before turning right and steeply winding down steps onto the beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Long Beach

Long Beach (aka Haycock Beach), in Ben Boyd National Park, has well-earned its name, as the crescent shaped, yellow sand beach is about 7.25km long. The beach stretches from Haycock Point in the north, and is roughly divided into three section by two small rocky points. There are plenty of places to access the beach by a short walk from the road. Some entrances to the beach are quiet spectacular, passing through pinnacle-like gorges. The surf is not patrolled, but the beach is a popular fishing spot for locals.

(0km) Int. Pinnacles and Long Beach Trks → Pinnacles Lookout

520 m

11 mins

19m

-29m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Pinnacles 600m' sign[1] across the hillside, with the higher side of the hill to the right. The track winds along the hillside, tending left, down and across a wooden bridge. The track then rises up and tends right, around to a wooden-fenced viewing area over the Pinnacles.
Veer right: From the small lookout, the walk heads through the bush, keeping the Pinnacles and the ocean behind to the left. The track soon reaches a larger wooden viewing area of the Pinnacles.

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles are a spectacular geological formation in the northern section of Ben Boyd National Park. The Pinnacles were formed from the erosion of a hill, which was made from a layer of white sand, topped with red clay. This leaves an fantastic sight of contrasting white and red bands in the rock face. The Pinnacles are best viewed from the lookout on the Pinnacle walking track, but they can also be seen from Long Beach.

(1km) Pinnacles Lookout → Pinnacles car park

450 m

9 mins

24m

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill away from the view of the Pinnacles, heading in the opposite direction to the 'Return Loop' arrow[3]. The track winds up the hill, with the vegetation becoming more like a pine forest. The track winds over the small hill then drops down onto a bridge. From the small wooden bridge, the track heads up to the signposted car park. From this end of the car park, the track heads to the 'Long Beach 350m' signpost[4] below the toilets.

Maps for the The Pinnacles Loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Pambula	1:25 000 Map Series	88242S PAMBULA	NSW-88242S
Bega	1:100 000 Map Series	8824 BEGA	8824

Cross sectional view of the The Pinnacles Loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Pinnacles Loop

Altitude analysis for The Pinnacles Loop

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	1.1 km
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 560m of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 520m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 630m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 450m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the The Pinnacles Loop walk.

Pinnacles car park to Long Beach

702 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk takes you straight down to Long Beach, which is a popular fishing spot. The beach itself is a large expanse of sand with strong surf conditions. The walk provides direct access to this great beach and heads through a pass, down through a steep gully with red and white rock walls.

Total climbing: 49m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the The Pinnacles Loop walk.

Severs Beach

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

Severs Beach is a fantastic spot on the Pambula River with its crystal clear waters and sandy beach. The beach is backed by Aboriginal sites of significance, with many middens in the area. The beach also boasts two wood fired BBQ settings in a nice grassy area. A great spot for a picnic and to wet

Total climbing: 26m

Easy track

Haycock Point

4.8 km Return, 2 hrs

The walk to Haycock Point is a great one, with Barmouth Beach as an optional side trip, there is also an interesting arched rock formation and great panoramic views from Haycock Point. The walk passes through a few different vegetation types which splits the walk into sections, including open grassy

Total climbing: 119m

Hard track

Barmouth Beach

360 m Return, 15 mins

Barmouth Beach is a historically significant beach that is nestled on the southern mouth of the Pambula River, opposite Pambula Beach. The beach is a great place for a relaxing swim. From the beach you can see across to Pambula Beach and as far as Merimbula. There is plenty of parking above the beac

Total climbing: 29m

Hard track

Rock Arch

1.1 km Return, 30 mins

The arched rock is just off the headland north-east of Barmouth Beach and is an interesting rock formation. The walk winds along the hillside above Barmouth Beach, which is a worthy side trip, and continues to the unfenced clearing that looks down to the arched rock. This walk will inspire the geolo

Total climbing: 47m

Moderate track

Boyd Tower to Saltwater Creek

13.4 km One way, 5 hrs

This is the first of the three main sections that form the Light to Light walk. You can start the walk with an optional sidetrip to the historic and interesting Boyd Tower. From here, the walk starts its southward journey to Saltwater Creek. The walk explores a number of picturesque bays with bri

Total climbing: 382m

Hard track

Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay

9.3 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

Leather Jacket Bay is a rocky and wonderful bay. The walk through Ben Boyd National Park starts at Boyd Tower car park and passes through Red Sands bay with its stunning contrast of colour. The walk not only passes some beautiful coast line to Leather Jacket Bay but some superb examples of geologica

Total climbing: 274m

Hard track

Light to Light Walk 2 days

30.9 km One way, 2 Days

Over two days, this classic walk explores the coast from Boyd Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse in the south. Hegartys Bay Camp is over halfway and is the quietest campsite in the park (alternative camp at Saltwater creek). The walk explores many of the scenic and historic highlights of Ben Boyd Na

Total climbing: 794m

Hard track

Light to Light Walk 3 days

30.9 km One way, 3 Days

This classic walk explores the coast from Boyd Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse in the south, with overnight stops at the well established Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay campsites (bookings required). The walk explores many of the scenic and historic highlights of Ben Boyd National Park. It

Total climbing: 794m

Hard track

Boyd Tower to Mowarry Point Lookout

18.3 km Return, 7 hrs

This longer day walk starts near Boyd Tower and heads to Mowarry Point, meandering down the coast of Ben Boyd National Park. On the way there are plenty of picturesque coastline views, with the stark red rock forming a great contrast. Views of Boyd Tower and of the coastal rocks are common along th

Total climbing: 601m

Hard track

Boyd Tower to Red sands Bay

4.9 km Return, 2 hrs

Starting near Boyd Tower, this walk follows the Light to Light walk to a bay with a fine red gravel beach. The walk passes scenic views of Boyd Tower, through the scrub, as it continues past awesome examples of geological rock folding in the cliffs of the bays. Red Sands bay itself is something qui

Total climbing: 170m

Hard track

Boyd Tower

582 m Return, 15 mins

This walk in Ben Boyd National Park is a magnificent way to explore the heritage of Boyd Tower. There are plenty of information signs that enrich the story of the stunning structure and history of the area. Boyd Tower is the centre piece of this walk and is well worth a visit. The bottom of the tow

Total climbing: 15m

Very easy

Twofold Bay Lookout via Boyd Tower

764 m Return, 20 mins

This walk is a fantastic way to see some of Ben Boyd National Park's heritage and spectacular coastline. The walk passes the iconic sandstone Boyd Tower and continues on to the wide views from the lookout over Twofold Bay. The side trip to Red Point lookout is well worth it to see the dramatic rock

Total climbing: 25m

Very easy

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The The Pinnacles Loop walk starts and ends at the Pinnacles car park (gps: -36.987944, 149.92330)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the South Coast weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Ben Boyd National Park

Ben Boyd National park is on the NSW South Coast, near Eden. The park was named and established in 1971, in the honour of Benjamin Boyd (1801-1851). Ben Boyd National park protects a wonderful section of coast line from Pambula to Green Cape, split into two distinct sections, one north of Eden and the other south. The park is well known for its contrasting red rocks, whale sighting, Boyd Tower, Green Cape Lighthouse and associated history. Ben Boyd National park offers some great insights into recent European history, Indigenous occupation and natural history. The park provides two campsites some other great recreational experiences.

Comments

Download PDF

Open in App

Short URL: http://wild.tl/tpl