This walk is great following lunch at Dingeldei Picnic area. The walk explores the rock flats of Maitland Bay, with many interesting shells and the shipwreck of the S.S. Maitland. The walk provides the option to spend time at Maitland Beach on the way to the wreck. The wreck is best seen at low tide, along with the rest of the rock flats below the headland. 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.
Dingeldei Picnic Area. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Mt Bouddi Trail. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Leafy canopy above Mt Bouddi Track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.North Eastern headland of Maitland Beach. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Bouddi Coastal Trail up to eastern headland of Maitland Bay. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.S.S.Maitland Wreck. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Rock pool near Maitland shipwreck. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Rockshelf from Maitland Bay looking east. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.Maitland Beach. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2007.
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 started From the Mt Bouddi carpark (at the end of Mt Bouddi Rd, off Scenic Road), this walk heads past the sandstone building, following the 'Little Beach' sign. The walk goes down a few flights of stairs, and meanders for some time, passing some old metal fence posts, passing through another saddle, and arriving at Bouddi Lookout, on a small rocky outcrop.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Mount Bouddi Carpark Start (a walking track).
After 55 m pass the toilet (6 m on your right).
After another 8 m pass the "Mount Bouddi Picnic Area" (on your left).
After another 10 m find the "The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter" (on your right).
The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter
The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter
The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter was built in 1962, thanks to volunteers. A.W. (Bill) Dingeldei was a trustee of the park who did considerable work on it himself. Today the Dingeldei picnic area is a quiet, leafy spot, perched on the hill behind Mount Bouddi. The picnic area contains a picnic table, toilets, BBQ and rubbish facilities. It also has a new car park with ample spaces.
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The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter was built in 1962, thanks to volunteers. A.W. (Bill) Dingeldei was a trustee of the park who did considerable work on it himself. Today the Dingeldei picnic area is a quiet, leafy spot, perched on the hill behind Mount Bouddi. The picnic area contains a picnic table, toilets, BBQ and rubbish facilities. It also has a new car park with ample spaces.
After another 1.4 km find the "Bouddi Lookout" (25 m on your left).
Bouddi Lookout
Bouddi Lookout
Bouddi Lookout, Bouddi National Park, is a great first look at the Bouddi Coast as you come out of the bush on Bouddi Spur. There are views of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the heath covered headlands in front of the lookout. Not as grand a view as other lookouts in the area, but worth a pause on your way to the Bouddi Coast Track.
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Bouddi Lookout, Bouddi National Park, is a great first look at the Bouddi Coast as you come out of the bush on Bouddi Spur. There are views of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the heath covered headlands in front of the lookout. Not as grand a view as other lookouts in the area, but worth a pause on your way to the Bouddi Coast Track.
Continue straight, to head along Mount Bouddi Track.
After another 180 m (at the intersection of Bouddi Coastal Walk & Mount Bouddi Track) continue straight, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 15 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 250 m turn right, to head along Bouddi Coastal Walk.
After another 20 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your left).
After another 65 m head up the steps (about 35 m long)
Then pass the sign (on your right).
After another 20 m turn left.
Continue another 240 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.9 km to get back to the start.
About 120 m past the end is "S.S. Maitland Shipwreck".
S.S. Maitland Shipwreck
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.
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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.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Bouddi Spur to Maitland Bay
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
3.8 km
Time
1 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
