Mt Ettalong Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

1.4 km Return

34 m

Easy track

This lovely short walk takes you from the large water tank, along an old trail and track to two fantastic fenced lookout platforms. There are a few unfenced views along this shaded walk. A picnic table among the Sydney Red Gums, just before the two main lookouts, makes a wonderful spot for a snack. The lookouts provide great views over Umina Beach, Brisbane Water, Bouddi National Park, Pearl Beach and out to the ocean. A great spot on a sunny day or for a sunset.

An unfenced informal view over Pearl Beach

Out to Lion Island the ocean and the Pittwater

Following the track at the top of the ridge

View along Umina Beach from Mt Ettalong Lookout

Looking up the Brisbane water from Mt Ettalong

(0km) Mt Ettalong Water Tank → End of management trail

520 m

10 mins

17m

-8m Easy track

From the car park (next to the large water tank beside Patonga Dr, 200m east of Pearl Beach Dr), this walk follows the management trail around the water tank and then around the locked gate. The trail then leads through the bush, passing a few painted 'Lookout' signs. The walk leads passed some lovely Sydney Red Gums and a few tracks off to the side (to informal unfenced viewpoints). The trail continues along the top of the ridge until coming to a turning circle and the end of the management trail, marked by a picnic table on the right.

(1km) End of management trail → Lookout intersection

80 m

1 mins

-3m Easy track

Continue straight: From the end of the management trail, this walk follows the track up the hill and over the rocky platform. The track continues along the top of the ridge until coming to the 'Lookouts' sign with two arrows.

(1km) Lookout intersection → Pearl Beach Lookout

20 m

-3m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the right-hand arrow on the 'Lookouts' sign to the fenced rock platform with views of Pearl Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Pearl Beach Lookout

Pearl Beach Lookout is a fenced lookout on a sandstone platform, looking south from Mount Ettalong. The main view below the lookout is along Pearl Beach and the village. There is a great view to Lion Island siting in the middle of the water. There are also distant views out the heads to the ocean, to West Head, Barrenjoey and up the Pittwater. The views on a sunny day are amazing.

(1km) Lookout intersection → Mt Ettalong Lookout

80 m

2 mins

-4m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the left-hand arrow on the 'Lookouts' sign, ducking under the Red Gum branch and heading along the top of the ridge. The track soon leads to a ramp and to the fenced Mt Ettalong lookout, with its fantastic views.

Mt Ettalong Lookout

Mt Ettalong Lookout is found at the eastern end of Mount Ettalong and is a fenced lookout on a large sandstone boulder. A metal compass plaque helps visitors identify the major landmarks. From the left to right, there are great views along Umina Beach, up the Brisbane Water, across Brisbane Water National Park, Box Head, out the heads to the South Pacific Ocean, Lion Island, Barrenjoey and up the Pittwater. An amazing spot on a sunny day, well worth the walk.

Maps for the Mt Ettalong Lookout 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 Mt Ettalong Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Ettalong Lookout

Altitude analysis for Mt Ettalong Lookout

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	1.4 km
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

This whole walk, 680m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 680m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 680m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 680m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 680m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 680m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Mt Ettalong Lookout walk.

Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout

5.1 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk follows a wide trail then a track to the fantastic views from Warrah Lookout. From Pearl Beach, this walk follows the roads to the lower end of Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. Continuing up this trail, the walk passes some sandstone caves and further on, enjoys the fenced Warrah Lookou

Total climbing: 189m

Moderate 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

Warrah Trig to Patonga

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk starts at the top of the ridge and leads through a field of wildflowers (in spring and early summer), past some panoramic water views and down to Patonga Village for fish and chips. Starting on the Tony Doyle Track, this walk passes the old Warrah Trig and then visits Warrah Lookout, a gr

Total climbing: 39m

Moderate track

Warrah Trig to Pearl Beach

2.8 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

Starting on the Tony Doyle track, this walk passes the old Warrah Trig before enjoying the views from Warrah lookout. The walk follows the wide trail down the hill to Pearl Beach. There are many great wildflowers in spring and if you are quiet, you may spot a Lyrebird or two. If you are feeling en

Total climbing: 27m

Moderate track

Warrah Trig to Lookout

756 m Return, 20 mins

This walk takes you from the old Warrah Trig Station down the ridge, along a well formed rock path to Warrah Lookout. From the lookout there are fantastic views spanning from the distant Barrenjoey headland, across the Hawkesbury river to Brisk Bay and Patonga. There are no facilities provided at t

Total climbing: 51m

Easy track

Patonga to Pearl Beach

4.3 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk explores a section of Brisbane Water National Park between the villages of Patonga and Pearl Beach. From Patonga, this walk takes you up a track following the Great North Walk route, and then a wider trail brings you to a short (and very worthwhile) side trip to Warrah Lookout. From here

Total climbing: 189m

Moderate track

Patonga to Somersby

41.5 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk follows the Great North Walk from Patonga, through Brisbane Waters National Park, to the Somersby General Store. The two campsites can be found near the summit of Mt Wondabyne, and along the banks of the Mooney Mooney Creek. Water is available from Kariong Brook and often from tr

Total climbing: 1811m

Hard track

Patonga to Staples Lookout

17 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

This great walk explores much of the main ridge ridge running through Brisbane Water National Park. The walk visits a number of great lookouts and has two worthy side trips, one up to the top of Mt Wondabyne and another to the falls in Kariong Brook. The walk requires a bit of planning for transpo

Total climbing: 702m

Hard track

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Mt Wondabyne

19.5 km One way, 7 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores some grand views, pleasant cascades, varied bushland and remote areas of Brisbane Waters National Park. From Patonga you will walk up the ridge and take a short side trip to enjoy the wonderful views from Warrah Lookout, before following a series of dirt roads and management trail

Total climbing: 861m

Hard track

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves overnight

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight hike starts from Patonga beach and winds along a section of the Great North Walk, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs up and around the Warra reserve headland, continuing to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves. The overnight stay is at the Mt Wondabyne campsite. The

Total climbing: 1164m

Experienced only

Patonga to Warrah Trig Station

4.3 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk explores part of the ridge heading out of Patonga. The walk visits two great lookouts, with great views of Lion Island, West Head and Palm beach. Warrah trig is not that interesting, but it is a high point in the area with more views. Make a day of it by catching the ferry from Palm bea

Total climbing: 240m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Mt Ettalong Lookout walk starts and ends at the Mt Ettalong Water Tank (gps: -33.536336, 151.30605)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Comments

Download PDF

Open in App

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