Gerrin Point Circuit
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs 30 mins
5.2 km Circuit
269 m
Hard track
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.
Marie Byles Lookout
This lookout, also known as the Killcare Heights Lookout, is beside The Scenic Rd, Killcare Heights, about 400m south of the intersection with Maitland Bay Drive. There are beautiful views to the south, along the coast, and over parts of Broken Bay. The lookout is named after Marie Byles, the first proponent of a Bouddi National Park. According to her wikipedia page, Marie Byles is also "known as a committed conservationist, the first practicing female solicitor in New South Wales, mountaineer, explorer and avid bushwalker, feminist, author and an original member of the Buddhist Society in New South Wales." More info.
(0km) Marie Byles Lookout → Maitland Bay Information Centre
400 m
7 mins
9m
-3m
Moderate trackFrom the car park, this walk follows the track past the information board(reported as removed), keeping the road through the trees and your left. The track winds through the bush for approximately 25m to an intersection with another track (on the right).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north, keeping the road above to the left. The track tends left to a dirt driveway and the road, continuing along the road and passing a large water tank on the left. The walk continues to the Maitland Bay Information Centre, approximately 300m up the road.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north, keeping the road above to the left. The track tends left to a dirt driveway and the road, continuing along the road and passing a large water tank on the left. The walk continues to the Maitland Bay Information Centre, approximately 300m up the road.
Maitland Bay Information Centre
Maitland Bay Information Centre, was once the old Maitland Store and residence. The store was a influential piece of infrastructure as it acted as a meeting place for Trustees and a hub for early tourism. Today the store is still a hub for tourism but as an Information Centre open on weekends and public holidays. As well as information on the area there is also parking, a public phone and drinking water.
(0km) Maitland Bay Information Centre → Int. of Maitland Bay Info Centre Trk and Bullimah Lookout Trk
180 m
4 mins
1m
-17m
Moderate trackTurn sharp right: From the information centre, the walk passes the information sign to the start of the car park. From the car park, the walk follows the Maitland Bay sign left, down the hill. The walk then heads down the staircase for some time to a signposted intersection.
(1km) Int. of Maitland Bay Info Centre Trk and Bullimah Lookout Trk → Int. of Maitland Bay Info Centre Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk
630 m
14 mins
1m
-95m
Hard trackVeer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track down the staircase. The walk winds through the forest, passing a rock platform with nice views over Maitland Bay. The track continues down the hill from the rock platform, keeping the rock face to the right and an overhang to the left, continuing for some time before crossing over a wooden bridge and going down more steps to a signposted intersection.
(1km) Int. of Maitland Bay Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Maitland Beach West End
250 m
6 mins
0m
-39m
Moderate trackTurn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the hill, descending some steps, towards the beach that can be heard. The walk heads down to Maitland Beach with the final stretch winding down through open scrub to the sandy beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
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.
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.
(1km) Int. of Maitland Bay Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Gerrin Point
1.3 km
31 mins
74m
-68m
Hard trackVeer right: 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.
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.
(3km) Gerrin Point → Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk
330 m
7 mins
6m
-36m
Moderate trackTurn 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.
(3km) Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Bullimah Beach
140 m
3 mins
2m
-12m
Moderate trackTurn 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.
(3km) Int. of Bullimah Beach Trk and Bouddi Coastal Walk → Putty Beach Camping Area Trk
880 m
18 mins
28m
-47m
Hard trackVeer 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.
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.
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.
(4km) Putty Beach Camping Area Trk → Putty Beach Camping Area
90 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Moderate trackTurn 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.
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.
(4km) Putty Beach Camping Area → Jacqueline Ave
410 m
16 mins
96m
0m
Hard trackVeer right: From the campsite, this walk heads away from the ocean, passing through the campsite on the uphill side of the road. The track leads up through the back of this campsite and into the bush. Winding up the hill, the track comes to a fenced house, then turns right and soon comes to an intersection with another track.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the ocean, passing a 'Bouddi National Park' sign[2] and some power poles near the road.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the ocean, passing a 'Bouddi National Park' sign[2] and some power poles near the road.
(4km) Jacqueline Ave → Int. of The Scenic Rd Service Trail and The Scenic Rd
530 m
12 mins
40m
-5m
Hard trackTurn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the bitumen road, following the 'Jacqueline Ave' street sign (leaving 'McDonald St' behind and Babs Rd to the left). The road passes a 'No Through Road' sign (on the right) and a line of houses (on the left), and soon comes to the cul-de-sac at the end of the road.
Continue straight: From the cul-de-sac, the walk heads through the bushes along the track, away from the ocean and the houses. The track opens up into a management trail, which heads up the hill and continues to an intersection with another management trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, away from the ocean, for a short time. The trail narrows to pass between boulders and continues as a track up the hill to The Scenic Road.
Continue straight: From the cul-de-sac, the walk heads through the bushes along the track, away from the ocean and the houses. The track opens up into a management trail, which heads up the hill and continues to an intersection with another management trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, away from the ocean, for a short time. The trail narrows to pass between boulders and continues as a track up the hill to The Scenic Road.
(5km) Int. of The Scenic Rd Service Trail and The Scenic Rd → Marie Byles Lookout
380 m
7 mins
13m
0m
Easy trackTurn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the road, with the ocean views to the right. After about 350m, the walk merges to the right into a car park, at the lookout.
Maps for the Gerrin Point Circuit 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 Gerrin Point Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Gerrin Point Circuit
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 | 5.2 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
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
3.3km of this walk has short steep hills and another 730m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 730m is flat with no steps and the remaining 410m is very steep.
Quality of track
4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 520m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 410m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 260m follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
3.3km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 1.1km is clearly signposted. The remaining (700m) has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
2.2km 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 (1.2km) 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 Gerrin Point Circuit walk.
Marie Byles Lookout to Bullimah Lookout
1.8 km Return, 1 Hr
Hard track
Maitland Bay Track
2.1 km Return, 1 Hr
Hard track
Bullimah Outlook
2.3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins
Moderate track
Maitland Bay Shipwreck Track
3.9 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins
Hard track
Maitland Bay Information Centre to Putty Beach
4.5 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins
Hard track
Maitland Bay Info Centre - Mt Bouddi - Maitland Bay
6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins
Hard track
Bouddi Coastal Walk
8.1 km One way, 5 hrs
Hard track
Bouddi Ridge and Coastal Walk
27 km Circuit, 2 Days
Hard track
Other Nearby walks
A list of walks that start near the Gerrin Point Circuit walk.
Tallow Beach and Box Head
8.5 km Circuit, 4 hrs
Hard track
Bouddi Spur to Little Beach via Bombi Moor
6.5 km One way, 3 hrs
Hard track
Bouddi Lookout
1.8 km Return, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Bouddi Spur to Maitland Bay
3.9 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins
Hard track
Putty Beach, Box Head, Lobster Beach to Pretty Beach
7.5 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
Box Head Track
3.1 km Return, 2 hrs
Moderate track
Hawke Head Drive to Box Head
3.1 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins
Moderate track
Little Beach Bombi Moor and Mt Bouddi Circuit Track
9.1 km Circuit, 4 hrs
Hard track
Little Beach to Mount Bouddi Track
5 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
Little Beach Trail
1.2 km Return, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Mt Ettalong Lookout
1.4 km Return, 30 mins
Easy track
Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout
5.1 km Return, 2 hrs
Moderate track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Gerrin Point Circuit walk starts and ends at the Marie Byles Lookout (gps: -33.522843, 151.38117)
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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