Wyrrabalong Shoreline Walk

This walk runs along the shoreline from Bateau Bay to Forresters Beach, in the southern section of Wyrrabalong National Park. The walk is very exposed to the ocean and should not be done at high tide or during rough seas. Much of the shoreline is strewn with boulders, which makes the walking harder but makes the scenery more interesting. The shapes and textures of the boulders, combined with the steep hills and low cliffs of the coastline, plus the uninterrupted ocean views, combine to give quite dramatic scenery and atmosphere for the walk. Consider making a loop walk by returning on the Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darkinjung & Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.3820128,151.4840427)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Central Coast Highway, A49 then drive for 7.8 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Dane Drive, A49 and drive for another 6.5 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 3.6 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 710 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 1.6 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Enterence Road, A49 and drive for another 100 m Continue onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 870 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 2 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 540 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 340 m Turn right onto Bateau Bay Road and drive for another 1.3 km Turn right onto Harbour Street and drive for another 170 m Turn left onto Reserve Drive and drive for another 60 m
Finish	(-33.4109777,151.4654535)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the intersection, this walk goes down the timber steps, towards the beach. The walk follows the boardwalk and timber steps down the hill until reaching Bateau Bay Beach.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout (about 25 m back from the start). Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout This unnamed picnic area and lookout is within Wyrrabalong National Park, at the intersection of Reserve Dr and Harbour St, Bateau Bay. The picnic area overlooks Bateau Bay and the beach. There are large grass areas, plenty of shade and facilities including picnic tables, garbage bins, and beach access steps. There are beautiful views along the coast and out to sea from the picnic area. There are free electric BBQs at Sutton Reserve, a block further south along Reserve Drive. Takeaway food is available at a small shopping centre near the intersection of Harbour St and Bateau Bay Rd, one block from the picnic area.
	After another 370 m turn left. After another 1.3 km find the "Crackneck Beach" (on your left). Crackneck Beach This unnamed beach is below Crackneck Lookout and can be reached with some difficulty by walking along the very rocky shoreline from Forresters Beach, to the south, or from Bateau Bay beach, to the north. The beach is covered in rounded rocks about the size of a fist. After another 2.8 km find the "Forresters Beach" (20 m on your left). Forresters Beach Forresters Beach is the name of a township and beach on the Central Coast of NSW. There are public toilets and a beach access path near the intersection of Crystal St and Kalakau Ave, and a beach access path near the bottom of Henrys Rd.
	After another 25 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Wyrrabalong Shoreline Walk

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	4.5 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 2 h

Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout
This unnamed picnic area and lookout is within Wyrrabalong National Park, at the intersection of Reserve Dr and Harbour St, Bateau Bay. The picnic area overlooks Bateau Bay and the beach. There are large grass areas, plenty of shade and facilities including picnic tables, garbage bins, and beach access steps. There are beautiful views along the coast and out to sea from the picnic area. There are free electric BBQs at Sutton Reserve, a block further south along Reserve Drive. Takeaway food is available at a small shopping centre near the intersection of Harbour St and Bateau Bay Rd, one block from the picnic area.

Crackneck Beach
This unnamed beach is below Crackneck Lookout and can be reached with some difficulty by walking along the very rocky shoreline from Forresters Beach, to the south, or from Bateau Bay beach, to the north. The beach is covered in rounded rocks about the size of a fist.

Forresters Beach
Forresters Beach is the name of a township and beach on the Central Coast of NSW. There are public toilets and a beach access path near the intersection of Crystal St and Kalakau Ave, and a beach access path near the bottom of Henrys Rd.

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Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- The Entrance Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 1 June
  
  Clear.
  
  Mostly clear. Light winds.
  
  Alert: Surf conditions for the rest of the day may be more powerful than they appear and are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing and swimming.
  
  Monday 2 June
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of a shower about the Upper Hunter in the evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:50am to 12:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Tuesday 3 June
  
  12°C → 20°C
  Late shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the evening. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.
  
  Wednesday 4 June
  
  11°C → 15°C
  Showers. Windy.
  90% chance of rain
  2 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Snow falling above 1400 metres. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching between 12 and 15.
  
  Thursday 5 June
  
  9°C → 16°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of morning frost about the Upper Hunter. Medium chance of showers along the coastal fringe, most likely in the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 1 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 17.
  
  Friday 6 June
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Saturday 7 June
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Sunday 8 June
  
  10°C → 18°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Wyrrabalong National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Crackneck Point Lookout and Crackneck Carpark CLOSED for Helicopter Operations for Wyrrabalong Coast Track maintenance
  Helicopter Operations and Truck Deliveries will be carried out at Crackneck Point Lookout in Wyrrabalong National Park from 29th May to 6th June. During this time, the following areas will be closed for the following dates:
  
  Hilltop Street south from the Yaruga st intersection (29th-30th May and 10th June)
  
  Crackneck Point Lookout (3rd, 5th, 11th and 12th June)
  
  Crackneck Point Lookout Carpark (29th-30th May, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th and 12th June)
  
  These dates are subject to weather and may change.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Track Repairs and Temporary Closures
  The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be undertaking repairs to The Coast Track between Crackneck Point Lookout and Wyrrabalong Lookout between the 28th April 2025 to 18th July 2025.
  The track will need to be closed to the public for a period between these dates while works are undertaken to ensure the safety of visitors.
  The track repairs will focus on eroded sections of the track by repairing the track surface, demolishing and replacing retaining walls, and improving drainage to enhance visitor safety, reduce maintenance, and minimise erosional impacts on the surrounding environment.
  For further information please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on 4972 9000.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts