Caves Beach Caves Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

904 m Return

22 m

Hard track

Caves Beach caves are just fabulous for exploring. This walk allows you to meander along the beach, looking and exploring in the many different sized and shaped caves. There are also good tidal pools to look in, making this a great walk for families. This walk requires low tide and calm sea conditions. Seek local advice before undertaking this walk. This is a must-do experience and a classic for the area.

Small creek at the southern end of Caves Beach

Caves Beach looking south at Caves Beach

Caves beach caves with Caves Beach beyond

Sandy beach with rocks at Caves Beach Caves

End of first section at Caves Beach Caves

From the inside of a cave at Caves Beach

End of the second section of Caves Beach Caves with deep water beyond

Deep water beyond the end of the second section at Caves Beach Caves

Deep water at the end of the second section of Caves Beach Caves

Stuart Chalmers Park

Named after a cancer victim, Stuart Chalmers Park is a well established park close to Caves Beach. Stuart Chalmers Park has toilets[2], car parking[3], water, sheltered electric barbeques[4] and picnic tables[5]. The park has easy access to Caves Beach, the cafe Acquablu[6] and the Caves Beach SLSC.

Caves Beach SLSC

The Swansea-Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, south of Newcastle, was founded in 1929. The SLSC looks after Caves Beach, which runs from this southern end of the beach, for 300m to the northern Swansea (Hams) Beach. A road runs the length of the beach, with car parking along much of it. Though Caves Beach faces the south-east, it is afforded a moderate degree of wave protection by reefs in the centre and north and Spoon Rocks to the south-east. More info.

(0km) Cafe Acquablu on Caves Beach → Caves Beach Caves (first section)

360 m

7 mins

-8m Hard track

From Cafe Acquablu[7], this walk leaves the concrete footpath and enters Caves Beach[8], turning to the right. This walk then follows the sandy beach, keeping the ocean on your left, and after about 80m, crosses a small creek[9] and comes to the bottom of timber steps[10].
Turn left: From the bottom of the timber steps on Caves Beach, this walk follows the beach while keeping the ocean on your left. This section of the walk is only accessible at low tide and calm seas, and is a particularly hazardous area. If unsure, seek local advice at Surf Life Saving Club. This walk passes many large and attractive caves (on your right) for about 280m, until coming to a narrower section of beach between rocks[11], at the next small headland.

Caves at Caves Beach

Caves Beach derives its name from the sea caves[12] in the headland at it's southern end. The caves[13] are only accessible at low tide. It is best to ask at the Caves Beach SLSC for local advice before attempting to visit the caves. The caves[14] are roughly broken into two halves, with somewhat easier access to the first section of caves, while access to the second section[15] (further to the south) is certainly restricted to low tide and light conditions. Allow time to return before the tide changes. These caves are pleasantly cool on a hot day and offer plenty of exploring potential. More info.

(0km) Caves Beach Caves (first section) → Caves Beach Caves (second section)

100 m

2 mins

-4m Hard track

Continue straight: From the end of the first section of Caves Beach[16][17], this walk follows the beach (only at low tide, calm seas and with local advice), while keeping the ocean on your left. The walk continues for about 100m (wet feet are likely), passing more caves[18][19][20], until coming to a rock step[21] with deep water beyond[22].

Maps for the Caves Beach Caves 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.

Swansea	1:25 000 Map Series	92314N SWANSEA	NSW-92314N
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Caves Beach Caves Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Caves Beach Caves Walk

Altitude analysis for Caves Beach Caves 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	904 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
		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

This whole walk, 450m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 360m of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 95m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 360m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 95m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 360m of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 95m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 360m of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 95m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 360m of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 95m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Caves Beach Caves Walk walk.

Wallarah Pennisula Walk

7.8 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts at Caves Beach and travels south along the coastline to Pinneys Beach. The walk then heads west, up and over the Wallarah Pennisula to Murrays Beach on the foreshore of Lake Macquarie. Both the Spoon Rocks Spit and Pinney’s Headland side trips are worthwhile excursions. The palm

Total climbing: 204m

Hard track

Wallarah Coastal Walk

8.3 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk starts at Caves Beach and travels south along the coastline, until reaching the Pinney’s Headland Lookout. There are many opportunities to stop, relax and swim if you would like. You will meander through coastal heath vegetation, which offers abundant wildflowers during springtime. The

Total climbing: 247m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Caves Beach Caves Walk walk.

Galgabba Point Walk

3.2 km Return, 1 Hr

The Galgabba Point walk is a flat walk along a bush track. This walk travels through native bush before arriving at Galgabba Point, where the track forms a small loop to allow you to explore the point. Galgabba Point is home to endangered ecological communities and threatened plant species, such a

Total climbing: 17m

Moderate track

Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk

3.2 km Return, 1 Hr

The Belmont Lagoon Spit walk in Belmont is a quiet relaxing walk surrounded by water. This walk is best completed in the early morning or late afternoon, when the bird life is most active. You may see Black Swans, Spoon Bills and if you are lucky, the migratory Bar Tailed Godwit. This walk is clo

Total climbing: 10m

Moderate track

Timber Beach

768 m Return, 20 mins

Timber Beach is a secluded beach in Munmorah State Conservation Area. The walk starts from a short side road off Snapper Point Rd, at Timber Beach Lookout. From here, the walk follows an eroded track down the ridge, then bends left to cross a clearing and come to the back of Timber Beach. The bea

Total climbing: 67m

Hard track

Green Point Circuit Walk

7.7 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk visits all of the popular locations in Green Point Reserve, as well as some of the lesser-visited areas inland. Taking in Sea Eagle Park, Green Point and Rocky-high viewpoint on the foreshore and then travel inland through mostly eucalyptus forest to enjoy the views at Sea Eagle Lookout,

Total climbing: 269m

Hard track

The Foreshore Walk

2.9 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk traverses the coastline of the Green Point reserve. By following a variety of tracks and occasionally traveling inland through eucalyptus forest, this walk visits both Jetty and Sea Eagle picnic areas, Green Point itself and Rocky-high viewpoint. When looking into the waters of Lake Macq

Total climbing: 81m

Hard track

The Lookout Circuit

2.4 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The Lookout Circuit is a classic Green Point reserve walk. This walk offers walkers plenty of picnic opportunities, elevated views over Lake Macquarie and travel through eucalyptus forest. There is also good historical and environmental interpretative signage along much of this walk. This recomme

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Snapper Point

280 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk takes you from the great view of Snapper Point Sea Cave (at the end of Snapper Point Rd) along a management trail to Snapper Point. The area is very rocky and provides grand ocean views. The memorial on Snapper Point gives a good reminder to take care. There are views out over the

Total climbing: 5m

Moderate track

Snapper Point Beach

630 m Return, 15 mins

Snapper Point Beach is an informal name for the small beach between Frazer Beach and Snapper Point. This walk starts from the great views of the sea cave and leads out to Snapper Point. Here, the walk turns right and follows the shore to the lifebuoy, then across the rocks to the secluded beach. T

Total climbing: 24m

Experienced only

Green Point Drive Circuit

3.4 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

This walk takes in two of the best parts of Green Point Reserve, the quiet and secluded Green Point itself and the views at Sea Eagle Lookout. Starting at the high point of Green Point Drive entrance, you gradually descend to the foreshore, crossing over open grasslands and through eucalyptus fores

Total climbing: 127m

Moderate track

The Green Point Walk

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk descends through open grasslands and eucalyptus forest to arrive at the grassed Green Point. This is a quiet and secluded spot and a fabulous place for a picnic. From Green Point, there are good views up and down Lake Macquarie. The side trip to the Sea Eagle Lookouts is also worthwhile

Total climbing: 102m

Moderate track

Palm Tree Circuit Track

609 m Circuit, 20 mins

This circuit walk explores the valley of palm trees and the dry woodland on the ridge. Starting from the back of the Palms Picnic Area, this walk follows an arrow through a palm forest then across a small creek and up a hill. At the top of the hill is an information sign, where the walk turns left

Total climbing: 37m

Moderate track

Grass Tree Track

862 m One way, 30 mins

The Grass Tree Track links Wybung Head Rd with Frazer Beach via a ridge-top track. At the time of writing, this track was very overgrown (hence the high grade) and the trackhead difficult to find. Once on course, much of the track is clearer and quiet eroded in places. It is an interesting walk to

Total climbing: 4m

Experienced only