Bouddi Coastal Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

5 hrs

8.1 km One way

364 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.

Sandy service trail between Bombi Point Track and Third Point Tracks

Staircase off eastern side of Putty Beach

View over Maitland Bay from Gerrin Point

(0km) Grahame Dr car park → Int. Bouddi Trail Access and Little Beach Trk

280 m

5 mins

-20m Moderate track

From the car park, this walk follows the 'Little Beach' sign along the management trail, passing around a gate. The walk heads down the hill, crosses a creek, and climbs up the hill out of the gully. The walk then winds down to a signposted intersection, with a bush track to the right.

(0km) Int. Bouddi Trail Access and Little Beach Trk → Little Beach

320 m

6 mins

-26m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, following the 'Little Beach 200m' sign. After approximately 300m, the walk comes to Little Beach campsite and continues to the point where the creek meets the beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

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.

(0km) Int. Bouddi Trail Access and Little Beach Trk → Sandy Clearing Little Beach Access Trail Int.

460 m

15 mins

77m

0m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, following the 'Maitland Bay' sign. The track winds up the hill, tending left along a white sandy section of track, then continues through the scrub for approximately 300m to the signposted intersection in a large sandy clearing.

(1km) Sandy Clearing Little Beach Access Trail Int. → End of Caves Bay management trail

1.3 km

23 mins

13m

-50m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Bombi Point' arrow along the sandy track, going down the hill. The track winds down the hill for some time before climbing to the signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the sea far on the left of the track. The trail continues down to a large sandy area marked by a 'Little Beach car park' sign.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, in the opposite direction to the Little Beach car park. The trail winds down the spur for some time, then straightens out and continues for a while before ending in a larger clear area, signposted 'Bouddi Coastal Walk'.

(2km) End of Caves Bay management trail → Int. Bouddi Trail and Dingeldei Picnic Trail

1.2 km

33 mins

96m

-105m Moderate track

Turn right: From the clearing, this walk follows the 'Maitland Bay' arrow along the bush track, going down the hill and keeping the ocean to the left. The walk then descends and climbs steeply, with numerous steps, crossing two creeks, before coming to a third creek crossing with a wooden bridge. From the bridge, the walk climbs to the top of the stairs then continues along the hillside to the signposted intersection.

(3km) Int. Bouddi Trail and Dingeldei Picnic Trail → Bouddi Lookout

350 m

8 mins

56m

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Mt Bouddi' arrow up the hill. The walk climbs many steps to the lookout, at the top of a small rocky hill. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

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.

(3km) Int. Bouddi Coastal Trk and Dingeldei Picnic Trail → Eastern corner of Maitland Beach

390 m

13 mins

-67m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Maitland Bay' arrow along the bush track, going down the hill. After a while, the walk drops into a clearing, on the saddle between the headland and the spur, and turns right, going down some steep steps to the beach.

(4km) Eastern corner of Maitland Beach → S.S. Maitland Shipwreck

310 m

7 mins

14m

-15m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the cliff line out towards the sea, beneath the rocky headland. The walk heads over rocks and boulders, to the rock flats at the point. Here lies the S.S.Maitland shipwreck. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

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. More info.

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.

(4km) Eastern corner of Maitland Beach → Maitland Beach West End

600 m

10 mins

-6m Hard track

Turn right: From the eastern end of the beach, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the ocean to the left. The walk continues along the beach to an area where a creek has cut its way through the sand.
Continue straight: From the creek, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the ocean on the left. The walk leads to the base of some paved steps, which lead up the hill away from the beach.

(4km) Maitland Beach West End → Int. of Maitland Bay Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk

250 m

6 mins

39m

0m Moderate track

Veer right: From the western end of Maitland Beach, the walk follows the paved track up the hill at the point marked by the sign. The track winds its way up the hill then straightens out before the signposted intersection.

(4km) Int. of Maitland Bay Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk

1.7 km

38 mins

80m

-104m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, following the track marked by the 'Bouddi Coastal Walk' sign. The track goes over many rises with steps, and crosses fenced bridges over the valleys between. This continues for some time, until the track arrives in a clearing before a fenced lookout, Gerrin Point.
Turn right: From Gerrin Point lookout, this walk follows the track down the hill, keeping the water below on the left. The track continues along steps and boardwalks, following the hillside to the sign posted intersection.

(6km) Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Bullimah Beach

140 m

3 mins

-12m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the boardwalk track following the 'Bullimah Beach' sign. The walk follows the boardwalk staircase down to the beach below. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Bullimah Beach

Bullimah Beach, 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.

(6km) Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Putty Beach Camping Area Trk

880 m

18 mins

28m

-47m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the edge of the headland following the railed pathway, with the ocean below on the left. As the track rounds the headland to Putty Beach, it passes a red rock area and continues down to a staircase onto the beach. The walk then heads approximately 150m along the beach, to where the creek has cut through the sand.
Continue straight: From the creek, this walk heads west along the beach, keeping the water on the left. After approximately 200m, the walk reaches a spot on the beach opposite a white-roofed building behind the dunes, just before another wide (dry) creek entry.

(7km) Putty Beach Camping Area Trk → Putty Beach Camping Area

90 m

1 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn right: From the beach, this walk heads away from the ocean towards the white-roofed building behind the beach. The track winds along the fenced sandy track to Putty Beach camping area. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

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.

(7km) Putty Beach Camping Area Trk → Putty Beach car park Trk

1.1 km

18 mins

10m

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From a spot on the beach opposite a white-roofed building behind the dunes, this walk heads along the beach, keeping the ocean to the left. The walk continues past numerous beach access routes, on the right, until it comes to the lifeguard tower (near the car park).

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.

(8km) Putty Beach → Putty Beach car park

60 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the beach, this walk heads up the hill along a stony path, to the car park behind the beach.

Maps for the Bouddi Coastal Walk 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.

Broken Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91301N BROKEN BAY	NSW-91301N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Bouddi Coastal Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bouddi Coastal Walk

Altitude analysis for Bouddi Coastal Walk

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	8.1 km
		Time	5 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

4km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (390m) is very steep.

Quality of track

7km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 850m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (580m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

3.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 3km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (1.1km) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.7km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (1.3km) 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 Bouddi Coastal Walk walk.

Little Beach Trail

1.2 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk from Grahame Drive car park to Little Beach follows the service trail straight through the tall forest, down the hill to the isolated beach. The beach is popular with surfers, and the campsite provides a nice place for a rest. A great spot to get your toes wet during a BBQ lunch (great BB

Total climbing: 47m

Moderate track

Maitland Bay Track

2.1 km Return, 1 Hr

From Maitland Bay Information Centre, this walk heads straight down the hill to Maitland Beach. On the way down, the track passes many rock landings which act as lookouts over Maitland Bay and the lush bush of the surrounding gullies. Maitland Bay Beach itself is a wonderful sandy beach which is pop

Total climbing: 153m

Hard track

Bouddi Spur to Maitland Bay

3.9 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is great following lunch at Dingeldei Picnic area. The walk explores the rock flats of Maitland Bay, with many interesting shells and the shipwreck of the S.S. Maitland. The walk provides the option to spend time at Maitland Beach on the way to the wreck. The wreck is best seen at low tide

Total climbing: 271m

Hard track

Maitland Bay Shipwreck Track

3.9 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

From the Maitland Bay Information Centre, this walk heads straight down the hill to Maitland Beach and the shipwreck of the S.S. Maitland. On the way down, the track passes many rock landings providing great views of Maitland Bay and the bush of the surrounding gullies. Perched on the edge of the ro

Total climbing: 195m

Hard track

Maitland Bay Information Centre to Putty Beach

4.5 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is an excellent way to see some of Bouddi National Parks greatest views. The walk follows the Maitland Bay Track and the Bouddi Coastal walk to Putty Beach. The track shows off Maitland Bay from a number of different lookouts, while passing through different types of vegetation. There are

Total climbing: 126m

Hard track

Little Beach to Mount Bouddi Track

5 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk curves around from Graham car park, taking in the secluded Little Beach and Caves Bay before finishing at Mt Bouddi's Dingeldei Picnic Area. The walk passes through many different types of vegetation. The service trail from above Little Beach to above Caves Bay is very sandy, in contrast t

Total climbing: 343m

Hard track

Gerrin Point Circuit

5.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

A fantastic loop walk, showcasing the stunning coastal views and scenery of the Bouddi National Park. Optional sidetrips to a couple of beaches, and the opportunity to see the wreckage of the S.S. Maitland, add some variety to the walk.

Total climbing: 269m

Hard track

Maitland Bay Info Centre - Mt Bouddi - Maitland Bay

6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

This walk forms a loop, starting at the Maitland Bay Information Centre. The walk visits Maitland Bay, with an optional side trip to the S.S. Maitland Shipwreck, best seen at low tide. The changes in vegetation with altitude are evident and provide a lot to see along the track.

Total climbing: 287m

Hard track

Bouddi Spur to Little Beach via Bombi Moor

6.5 km One way, 3 hrs

This walk explores a large part of the Bouddi National Park coastline. Features of this walk include the walk out to Bombi Moors and down to Little Beach. The tracks connecting these spots explore some excellent rainforest areas and wonderful heath covered headlands. Interesting, beautiful and a gre

Total climbing: 297m

Hard track

Putty Beach, Box Head, Lobster Beach to Pretty Beach

7.5 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a great one way walk to do after spending some time at Putty Beach. The walk uses Hawke Head Drive to head along the ridge to Box Head. The headland has superb views over Broken Bay to Barrenjoey Headland and out to sea. Lobster Beach is another great beach in the area with views over t

Total climbing: 360m

Moderate track

Little Beach Bombi Moor and Mt Bouddi Circuit Track

9.1 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This is a great circuit walk, leading walkers from the hills, down to the beach. The circuit takes in the vast changes in vegetation as it descends to Little Beach, then follows the coast, heading up to Dingeldei Picnic Area. The sandy service trails and views out to sea make this a magnificent walk

Total climbing: 439m

Hard track

Bouddi Ridge and Coastal Walk

27 km Circuit, 2 Days

This overnight walk takes in the majority of the magnificent Bouddi National Park. The walk starts from the pleasant Putty Beach camping area, with its very friendly Brush Turkeys. The walk heads along the ridge towards Little Beach, then along the beaches. This circuit walk visits many beaches and

Total climbing: 1206m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bouddi Coastal Walk walk.

Bouddi Lookout

1.8 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a great way to walk off a lunch if picnicking at Dingeldei Picnic Area. The Bouddi Lookout walk meanders through the bush, without any views of the ocean, until it reaches the rocky platform of Bouddi Lookout. After enjoying the view, you can head back up the hill to Dingeldei Picnic Area in

Total climbing: 112m

Moderate track

Bullimah Outlook

2.3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Starting from the Maitland Bay Information Centre, this walk heads down and around the hill to follow the spur out to Bullimah Lookout. The track winds through the bush giving glimpses of Maitland Bay from several rocky landings. The views along the way, and from the lookout are fantastic.

Total climbing: 95m

Moderate track

Marie Byles Lookout to Bullimah Lookout

1.8 km Return, 1 Hr

The Bullimah Lookout Track follows the spur down the hill from Marie Byles Lookout and car park. The track zigzags a little on the way, passing around boulders. There are excellent views from Bullimah Lookout over Maitland Bay.

Total climbing: 83m

Hard track

Tallow Beach and Box Head

8.5 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk explores some of Bouddi National Park's hidden beaches and the Box Head lookout. The views over the South Pacific Ocean and Broken Bay are magnificent, while the secluded beaches of Tallow and Little Tallow are great spots for lunch and to dip the toes in. The vegetation is mostly heath al

Total climbing: 323m

Hard track

Box Head Track

3.1 km Return, 2 hrs

Starting on Hawke Head Drive, this walk explores the southernmost ridge in Bouddi NP. The walk provides excellent views over Woy Woy, Broken Bay, Hawkesbury River and the Tasman Sea. It takes in spectacular views over Lion Island and Pearl Beach from the many rocky outcrops along the Box Head ridg

Total climbing: 126m

Moderate track

Hawke Head Drive to Box Head

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk, from Hawke Head Drive, is the most direct route to Box Head. The walk explores Box Head headland and the many rocky outcrops on the way. There is great variation in the vegetation and a great variety in the views across the ocean and up into the mouth of Broken Bay. The cul-de-sac at th

Total climbing: 126m

Moderate track

Kanning Cave Walk

922 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk follows a clear track to a large sandstone cave on the Kanning Walk. From the Honeman's Picnic Area, follow Kanning Walk through the bush and along the side of a long rock wall. There are several caves along the way, the main one being quiet large and tucked behind some large boulder

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

Kanning Walk

1.3 km Circuit, 30 mins

This lovely walk is a great way to explore the bushland at the top of Kincumber Mountain. From near the main picnic area, you follow a clear track before walking along the base of a long rock wall. There are a few sandstone caves, the main one mentioned in the notes is quite large, and a nice cool

Total climbing: 38m

Easy track

Yanina Walk

3.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Yanina Walk is a gentle walk, exploring one of the ridges at the top of Kincumber Mountain. The walk follows a wide management trail from the main Honemans Picnic area, leading to the good views of Colin Watters Lookout. The notes describe a side trip to Nyari Lookout, but the views are very limite

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track

Ridge Trail loop

962 m Circuit, 30 mins

The Ridge Trail loop is a short walk starting from Honeman's Picnic Area and follows the signposted Ridge Trail until finding Split Rock management trail. Here, you turn sharply right to head back to the picnic area along this wider trail. There are limited views along this walk, but it still makes

Total climbing: 48m

Moderate track

Sid Pulsford Walk

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Sid Pulsford Walk explores the ridge top of Kincumber Mountain, from Honeman's Rock to Green Point. The walk mostly follows wide management trails. Halfway along the walk, you will find the By-Pass lookout and rest area, providing good views and a great place to rest. The walk leads past the water r

Total climbing: 118m

Hard track

Warriwarri Lookout

1.5 km Return, 30 mins

This short and fairly flat walk starts from the popular Honeman's picnic area and follows the Sid Pulsford Walking Track, then another trail to Warriwarri Lookout. The lookout is overgrown and provides no real view. A short distance beyond the signposted lookout is a rocky outcrop that provides some

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Bouddi Coastal Walk walk starts at the Grahame Dr car park (gps: -33.509886, 151.41234)

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

The Bouddi Coastal Walk ends at the Putty Beach car park (gps: -33.530994, 151.36069)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Bouddi National Park

Bouddi National Park is south east of Woy Woy and encompasses the Box Head headland. Bouddi NP has numerous secluded beaches and some great surf beaches too. The park also offers fantastic coastal walking with views out from the tall headlands over Broken Bay, Woy Woy and the South Pacific Ocean. Bouddi NP also boasts one of the first marine extensions in NSW, with a 300ha protection zone out of Maitland Bay for the marine life. The mosquitoes in Bouddi NP can be fierce so it might be an idea to pack insect repellent.

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