The walk to Haycock Point is a great one, with Barmouth Beach as an optional side trip, there is also an interesting arched rock formation and great panoramic views from Haycock Point. The walk passes through a few different vegetation types which splits the walk into sections, including open grassy plains and dense woody forests. Let us begin by acknowledging the Yuin people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Barmouth Beach car park. | Photo by admin, 2009.Signpost at the intersection with Barmouth Beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track behind Barmouth Beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.Barmouth Beach from Haycock Point track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track above Barmouth Beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rock arch. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track east of rock arch. | Photo by admin, 2009.Dead flowers. | Photo by admin, 2009.Clear view from an opening next to the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.View along the coast towards Haycock Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.Signpost along the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track in open heath. | Photo by admin, 2009.Arrow marker along the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Echidna. | Photo by admin, 2009.Arrow marker through the bush on the headland. | Photo by admin, 2009.Arrow marker along the grassed headland. | Photo by admin, 2009.Distant Range south of Haycock Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.Long Beach from Haycock headland. | Photo by admin, 2009.Signpost to Haycock Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.View from track to Haycock Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rocks below Haycock headland. | Photo by admin, 2009.View from Haycock Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track onto Haycock Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.Haystack rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.
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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start
At the intersection of Haycock Point Walking Track & Barmouth Beach Track (-36.9482336,149.9235548)
Turn on to Princes Highway, A1 then drive for 1.3 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Princes Highway, A1 and drive for another 27.3 km
Turn right onto Princes Highway, A1 and drive for another 6.7 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Quondolo Street, A1 and drive for another 245 m
Turn slight right onto Bullara Street, A1 and drive for another 10.7 km
Turn left onto Haycock Road and drive for another 6 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the car park, this walk heads down the hill, following the path made by the cut logs. The track soon comes to a signposted intersection.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Haycock Point Walking Track & Barmouth Beach Track Start heading along Haycock Point Walking Track (a walking track).
Find the Barmouth Beach Parking at the start.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Barmouth Beach. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 25 m veer right, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
After another 140 m head up the 47 steps (about 35 m long)
After another 9 m cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
Then head down the 28 steps (about 20 m long)
After another 370 m find the "Arched rock lookout" (15 m on your left).
Arched rock lookout
Arched rock lookout
This is an informal, unnamed, and unfenced lookout, on the southern side of the headland forming the mouth of the Pambula River. The lookout is in Ben Boyd National Park and can be accessed by walking track to Haycock Point. There is a great view out to sea and up the coast as far as Merimbula. The view is memorable for the unusual rock arch, formed from the eroding force of the ocean.
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This is an informal, unnamed, and unfenced lookout, on the southern side of the headland forming the mouth of the Pambula River. The lookout is in Ben Boyd National Park and can be accessed by walking track to Haycock Point. There is a great view out to sea and up the coast as far as Merimbula. The view is memorable for the unusual rock arch, formed from the eroding force of the ocean.
After another 560 m turn right, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
After another 15 m come to the viewpoint (9 m on your left).
After another 420 m veer left, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
Then come to the viewpoint (10 m on your left).
After another 570 m continue straight, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
After another 175 m veer left, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
After another 8 m continue straight, to head along Haycock Point Walking Track.
After another 9 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 75 m head down the 29 surface|paved steps (about 20 m long)
Then find the "Haycock Point" (4 m on your left).
Haycock Point
Haycock Point
Haycock Point, in the northern part of Ben Boyd National Park, provides a great vantage point across the red rock platform, out to sea and north up the rocky coast. An interesting dome-shaped rock, called Haystack Rock, is memorable for its unusual shape and also as a dive location. The SS Empire Gladstone struck rocks here in calm seas in 1950, after mistaking the lights of Merimbula for a lighthouse. Thankfully, no lives were lost and some cargo was recovered, but the wreck forms a popular dive spot today.
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Haycock Point, in the northern part of Ben Boyd National Park, provides a great vantage point across the red rock platform, out to sea and north up the rocky coast. An interesting dome-shaped rock, called Haystack Rock, is memorable for its unusual shape and also as a dive location. The SS Empire Gladstone struck rocks here in calm seas in 1950, after mistaking the lights of Merimbula for a lighthouse. Thankfully, no lives were lost and some cargo was recovered, but the wreck forms a popular dive spot today.
After another 25 m head down the 15 surface|paved steps (about 10 m long)
After another 150 m come to "Haycock Point".
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.7 km to get back to the start.
An optional side trip to Barmouth Beach.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 45 m head down the 100 steps (about 65 m long)
After another 25 m come to "Barmouth Beach".
Barmouth Beach
Barmouth Beach
Barmouth Beach is in Ben Boyd National Park, at the mouth of Pambula River. The beach is opposite the township of Pambula Beach and can be access from inside the national park via a small track, not too far from Haycock Point. The beach is a small north-facing, yellow sand beach with no facilities (no Surf Life Saving patrols). The beach has some bright red rock platforms at either end that are worth exploring. Exploration is a part of Barmouth Beach's history, with George Bass escaping the winds, landing on the beach in 1797. He explored the area and named Barmouth River, today Pambula River.
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Barmouth Beach is in Ben Boyd National Park, at the mouth of Pambula River. The beach is opposite the township of Pambula Beach and can be access from inside the national park via a small track, not too far from Haycock Point. The beach is a small north-facing, yellow sand beach with no facilities (no Surf Life Saving patrols). The beach has some bright red rock platforms at either end that are worth exploring. Exploration is a part of Barmouth Beach's history, with George Bass escaping the winds, landing on the beach in 1797. He explored the area and named Barmouth River, today Pambula River.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 135 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Haycock Point from Barmouth Beach
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
5.3 km
Time
1 h 30 min to 2 h
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)