Patonga to Pearl Beach

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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	(-33.5504,151.2745435)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Ferry Special (There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about $80+). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about $16 pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride.)
Directions	From Ocean Beach Road Turn on to Ocean Beach Road then drive for 115 m Turn slight left onto Ocean Beach Road and drive for another 35 m Turn slight left onto Ocean Beach Road and drive for another 45 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Sydney Avenue and drive for another 1.8 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Mount Ettalong Road and drive for another 6.9 km
Finish	(-33.5445014,151.3069442)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park at Patonga wharf, this walk follows the footpath beside Patonga Drive, keeping the water on the right. The road leads out of town passing beside 'Eve Williams Memorial Oval' for 70m to find a large 'The Great North Walk' sign opposite the toilet block. Soon after this sign, this walk turns right following the 'Boat Ramp' sign and GNW arrow post down along a side road for 220m to find a parking area beside Patonga's boat ramp. (Alternatively it is possible to walk along the sandy beach from the wharf to the boat ramp.)....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Patonga Drive. There is an artwork (about 80 m back from the start). There is a cafe (about 40 m back from the start). W:www.patongahotel.com Mo-Su 07:00-15:00 Patonga Village. Patonga Village Patonga Village is a lovely small township on the Hawkesbury River. Just near the ferry wharf are a few helpful facilities: The Eve Williams Memorial Oval, where you will find a large pavilion, drinking water and public toilets. A fish and chips shop (and general store) is open reasonable hours, where you can buy lunch, a coffee and basic supplies (fishing needs, milk, canned food). Patonga Beach Hotel is available for a cold drink at the bar or a meal on the deck, or even overnight accommodation (from $242 a couple) ph: 02 4379 1111. There is a car park. After another 45 m pass the sign (10 m on your left). After another 45 m pass the "The Great North Walk" (55 m on your right). After another 10 m pass the shelter (20 m on your left). After another 60 m pass the picnic table (25 m on your right). After another 60 m pass the picnic table (20 m on your right).
	Continue straight, to head along Patonga Drive. There is a park (about 8 m back from the start). After another 10 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
	After another 10 m turn sharp right.
	After another 190 m continue straight.
	After another 40 m continue straight. After another 10 m find the "Warrah Reserve boat ramp" (15 m on your left). Warrah Reserve boat ramp Warrah Reserve boat ramp provides a large car park and access to both the boat ramp and Patonga Beach. There are garbage bins, a picnic table and information board. The boat ramp offers good views along the beach to 'Dark Corner', found at the eastern end of Patonga Beach.
	After another 25 m continue straight. After another 135 m head up the steps (about 15 m long)
	After another 430 m veer left. After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your right).
	After another 45 m continue straight. After another 260 m find the "Broken Bay View" (30 m on your right). Broken Bay View Broken Bay View is an informal, unnamed and unfenced vantage point at the top of the cliffs, east of Patonga. The large rock platform has a number of large Sydney Red Gums, providing some shade. There are great views across the Hawkesbury River, along Cowan Creek and to West Head. The views to the left extend past Lion Island to Barrenjoey Head and out to the Pacific Ocean.
	After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Warrah Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 350 m (at the intersection of Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail & Tony Doyle Track) continue straight, to head along Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail. After another 30 m pass the sign (on your right). After another 1.2 km find the "Pearl Caves" (9 m on your right). Pearl Caves Pearl Caves is an informal name for a couple of caves found on the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. The two large overhangs are found near the base of a cliff. The caves look north and have outward-sloping floors. One cave has a few small columns and stalagmite/stalactite decorations growing at the back. To protect the caves (and yourself), the caves are best viewed from a distance. After another 430 m head through/around the gate.
	At the intersection of Crystal Avenue & Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail turn right, to head along Crystal Avenue (a residential road).
	After another 240 m continue straight, to head along Crystal Avenue.
	After another 200 m (at the intersection of Crystal Avenue & Diamond Road) turn left, to head along Diamond Road. After another 30 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
	After another 5 m continue straight, to head along Diamond Road.
	After another 105 m (at the intersection of Tourmaline Avenue & Diamond Road) turn right, to head along Tourmaline Avenue. After another 125 m pass the "Waterfront Reserve" (15 m on your right). After another 6 m come to the "Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe". Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe The Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe (ph 02 4343 1222) is found at 1 Pearl Pde, Pearl Beach, and is open 7 days. The cafe provides breakfast, lunch and dinners for about $20 a meal. The general store provides cheaper take-away meals and general supplies (including ice-creams). Across the road is Pearl Beach and some children's play equipment. Alternatively for a more refined dining experience, 'Pearls on the Beach' is found on the other side of the road, open Thursday to Sundays for lunch and dinner (ph 02 4342 4400). After another 45 m pass the playground (20 m on your right). After another 25 m pass a seat (20 m on your right). About 20 m past the end is a playground . About 20 m past the end is a picnic table. After another 5 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Warrah Lookout.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Tony Doyle Track & Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail Start heading along Tony Doyle Track (a footpath).
	Continue another 70 m to find Warrah Lookout at the end. "Warrah Lookout". Warrah Lookout Warrah Lookout is a mostly fenced lookout on a large sandstone platform. The lookout provides fantastic views across the Hawkesbury River. From left to right, you can see along the escarpment which forms the southern boundary of Brisbane Water National Park, out to the Pacific Ocean, Barrenjoey Headland, West Head, along Cowan Creek, Juno Point and along the escarpment to Patonga. This is a great place to spend some time soaking up the views. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 70 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

At the intersection of Tony Doyle Track & Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail Start heading along Tony Doyle Track (a footpath).

Continue another 70 m to find Warrah Lookout at the end.

"Warrah Lookout".

Warrah Lookout

Warrah Lookout is a mostly fenced lookout on a large sandstone platform. The lookout provides fantastic views across the Hawkesbury River. From left to right, you can see along the escarpment which forms the southern boundary of Brisbane Water National Park, out to the Pacific Ocean, Barrenjoey Headland, West Head, along Cowan Creek, Juno Point and along the escarpment to Patonga. This is a great place to spend some time soaking up the views.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 70 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Patonga to Pearl Beach

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.2 km
Time	1 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
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)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 190 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 125 m from the start.

Seat: There is one 4.2 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	125 m	[toilet]
Shelter	190 m	[shelter]
Seat	4.2 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Patonga Village
Patonga Village is a lovely small township on the Hawkesbury River. Just near the ferry wharf are a few helpful facilities: The Eve Williams Memorial Oval, where you will find a large pavilion, drinking water and public toilets. A fish and chips shop (and general store) is open reasonable hours, where you can buy lunch, a coffee and basic supplies (fishing needs, milk, canned food). Patonga Beach Hotel is available for a cold drink at the bar or a meal on the deck, or even overnight accommodation (from $242 a couple) ph: 02 4379 1111.

Warrah Reserve boat ramp
Warrah Reserve boat ramp provides a large car park and access to both the boat ramp and Patonga Beach. There are garbage bins, a picnic table and information board. The boat ramp offers good views along the beach to 'Dark Corner', found at the eastern end of Patonga Beach.

Broken Bay View
Broken Bay View is an informal, unnamed and unfenced vantage point at the top of the cliffs, east of Patonga. The large rock platform has a number of large Sydney Red Gums, providing some shade. There are great views across the Hawkesbury River, along Cowan Creek and to West Head. The views to the left extend past Lion Island to Barrenjoey Head and out to the Pacific Ocean.

Warrah Lookout
Warrah Lookout is a mostly fenced lookout on a large sandstone platform. The lookout provides fantastic views across the Hawkesbury River. From left to right, you can see along the escarpment which forms the southern boundary of Brisbane Water National Park, out to the Pacific Ocean, Barrenjoey Headland, West Head, along Cowan Creek, Juno Point and along the escarpment to Patonga. This is a great place to spend some time soaking up the views.

Pearl Caves
Pearl Caves is an informal name for a couple of caves found on the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail. The two large overhangs are found near the base of a cliff. The caves look north and have outward-sloping floors. One cave has a few small columns and stalagmite/stalactite decorations growing at the back. To protect the caves (and yourself), the caves are best viewed from a distance.

Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe
The Pearl Beach General Store and Cafe (ph 02 4343 1222) is found at 1 Pearl Pde, Pearl Beach, and is open 7 days. The cafe provides breakfast, lunch and dinners for about $20 a meal. The general store provides cheaper take-away meals and general supplies (including ice-creams). Across the road is Pearl Beach and some children's play equipment. Alternatively for a more refined dining experience, 'Pearls on the Beach' is found on the other side of the road, open Thursday to Sundays for lunch and dinner (ph 02 4342 4400).

Pearl Beach
Pearl Beach is a 1.2km long crescent-shaped, yellow sand beach. The beach has rocky points at either end - the southern end is home to an ocean pool and the northern end has the old Pearl Beach Road carved through the rock (no longer in use for cars). The beach has many access points and is popular for sunbathers, picnickers, and swimmers, although there is no surf life saver presence. The south-east facing beach is lined with houses in the northern section, and shade-providing trees in the south.

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Woy Woy Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Winds west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting east to southeasterly in the late morning and early afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 30.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:40am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  16°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  16°C → 28°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 38.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  20°C → 33°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h during the morning then shifting south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 35 to 41.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  19°C → 26°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Sunday 29 December
  
  17°C → 27°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Monday 30 December
  
  19°C → 28°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Brisbane Water National Park alerts
  Safety alerts: High to Extreme fire danger
  NPWS is advising visitors to local national parks to take caution on Monday 23rd December 2024 due to high to extreme fire danger.
  A Total Fire Ban has been declared for Greater Hunter region.
  High temperatures are forecast and are likely to lead to dangerous conditions that may change quickly.
  Plan your visit to a national park carefully, take adequate water and remain hydrated.
  For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  NPWS recommends reviewing RFS information on Total Fire Bans, Fire Danger Ratings, and keep up to date using the Hazards Near Me app:
  https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
  https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app
  
  Fire bans: Total Fire Ban
  A total fire ban has been declared by the NSW Rural Fire Service. The total fire ban applies for the entire 24-hour period. Total fire ban rules apply. This ban may be extended. Please continue to check this website. To find out where and when total fire bans are currently in effect, please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service.
  
  Fire bans: Park fire ban
  A park fire ban is in place in this park and remains in effect unless otherwise extended or removed. During park fire ban periods, all campfire and solid fuel (wood, heat beads, charcoal, briquettes, hexamine) barbecues and stoves are prohibited. Gas and electric barbecues and cookers are permitted as long as:
  
  They're under direct control of an adult
  
  The ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all flammable materials
  
  There's an adequate supply of water (minimum of a bucket)
  
  If a Total Fire Ban is in place, different rules apply. Contact the local park office before bringing a gas or electric barbecue or cooker.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire bans in parks and reserves including your responsibilities, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page.
  
  Closed areas: Areas closed due to extreme fire danger
  Some parts of this park are closed on Monday 23 December 2024 due to extreme fire danger. The closed areas are:
  
  The Great North Walk
  
  Informal walking track to Pindar Caves in Brisbane Water National Park
  
  Piles Creek Loop Walking Track, Brisbane Water National Park
  
  Hominy Creek, Mount Olive and 248 Walking Tracks, including Emerald Pools in Popran National Park
  
  Remote camping in Jilliby State Conservation Area, Palm Grove Nature Reserve and Watagans National Park
  
  Remote camping in Brisbane Water National Park, including Mt Wondabyne.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the National Parks contact centre on 1300 072 757 or visit the Rural Fire Service website.
  
  Closed areas: Brieses fire trail partial closure
  The section of Brieses fire trail between Mooney Mooney Creek and Old Mooney Dam trail is closed until further notice due to a landslip, making it unsafe for vehicles.
  Signs are in place around closed areas. This area will re-open as soon as it is safe and repair works have been completed.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 4320 4200.
  
  Closed areas: Warrah Trig Road closed to vehicles
  Warrah Trig Road is closed to vehicles due to an increase in illegal activities throughout the area.
  The road will remain closed until investigations are completed and further recommendations are made.
  The road is open to pedestrians and cyclists.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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