This walk traverses the Awabakal Nature Reserve. Starting from Dudley in the north, this walk travels south through coastal heath and forest, until coming to Redhead. The vegetation throughout this walk is particularly attractive during the wildflower season of July to October. The side trip out to the Awabakal Viewpoint gives great views to the north along the coastline. A car shuffle would be ideal for this one-way walk. The walking tracks are a little overgrown, but if you like native forest and heath, or simply flowers, then this is the walk for you. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Awabakal car park near Dudley in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Locked gate at the Awabakal Car Park near Dudley. | Photo by admin, 2011.Metal gate and timber fence at the Awabakal car park in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Narrow trail through forest near the Awabakal car park. | Photo by admin, 2011.Attractive forest near the Awabakal car park. | Photo by admin, 2011.Open area with large tree and picnic table in Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Tree and picnic table in Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.A Picnic table and tree near the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Uphill trail in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy trail in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy trail near the Awabakal Viewpoint. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy trail near the Awabakal Viewpoint in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Intersection near the Awabakal Viewpoint in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Views from the Awabakal Viewpoint. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy intersection near the Awabakal Viewpoint. | Photo by admin, 2011.Narrow track near the Awabakal Viewpoint. | Photo by admin, 2011.Narrow track in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Track through forest on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Track through forest on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Views across the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Intersection of track in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy track on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Fringe Lilly on the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Ant in sand on the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Views across the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Overgrown track on the Awabakal Coastal Walk in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Vegetation on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Mountain Devil flower on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Ant on sand in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy track through heath on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy track in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Track through vegetation in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Track on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Uphill sandy track on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Views over heath in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy and eroded track on the Awabakal Coastal Walk. | Photo by admin, 2011.Views on the Awabakal Coastal Walk in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sandy track intersection near Redhead in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Leafy track near Collier St in Redhead in the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Looking at Collier St Redhead from the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Collier St in Redhead near the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.Sign and track into the Awabakal Nature Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
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 Awabakal car park (end of Ocean St, Dudley), this walk passes around the locked metal gate and follows the track gently downhill. The walk continues through native forest for about 110m until coming to a three-way intersection, with a large stand-alone tree and picnic table. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track gently uphill, while leaving the stand-alone tree directly behind you and keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues, undulating through coastal vegetation for about 160m, until coming to a level three-way intersection with a smaller track on the right.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 105 m find the "Awabakal Nature Reserve" (6 m on your right).
Awabakal Nature Reserve
Awabakal Nature Reserve
Awabakal Nature Reserve covers 227 hectares of coastal heath between Dudley and Redhead. The Awabakal Reserve contains a wide range of habitats including one of the largest remaining coastal heath communities, and also perched lagoons, creek catchments, dry and wet sclerophyll forest and remnants of rainforest. This park was created in January 1978. The coastal viewpoints from the reserve are also great for whale watching, bird watching and wildflower photography.
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Awabakal Nature Reserve covers 227 hectares of coastal heath between Dudley and Redhead. The Awabakal Reserve contains a wide range of habitats including one of the largest remaining coastal heath communities, and also perched lagoons, creek catchments, dry and wet sclerophyll forest and remnants of rainforest. This park was created in January 1978. The coastal viewpoints from the reserve are also great for whale watching, bird watching and wildflower photography.
Then find the "Awabakal Car Park" (5 m on your right).
Awabakal Car Park
Awabakal Car Park
The Awabakal car park at the end of Ocean Street, Dudley is a good spot to start a walk within the Awabakal Nature Reserve. The car park contains a turning circle and is fenced amongst open forest. No other facilities exist here. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
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The Awabakal car park at the end of Ocean Street, Dudley is a good spot to start a walk within the Awabakal Nature Reserve. The car park contains a turning circle and is fenced amongst open forest. No other facilities exist here. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Ocean Street Trail & Lagoon Trail) continue straight, to head along Ocean Street Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Awabakal Viewpoint. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 185 m veer right.
After another 410 m veer left.
After another 610 m continue straight.
After another 290 m veer right.
After another 215 m veer left.
After another 65 m come to the end.
An optional side trip to Awabakal Viewpoint.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start heading along Ocean Street Trail.
After another 135 m turn left.
After another 30 m come to the end.
About 15 m past the end is "Awabakal Viewpoint".
Awabakal Viewpoint
Awabakal Viewpoint
The Awabakal Viewpoint offers excellent views out over the ocean from its elevated viewpoint. This viewpoint is unfenced and care should therefore be taken. The views are paricular good to the north towards Newcastle. Please stay on the tracks already created to reduce the erosion of the cliff top.
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The Awabakal Viewpoint offers excellent views out over the ocean from its elevated viewpoint. This viewpoint is unfenced and care should therefore be taken. The views are paricular good to the north towards Newcastle. Please stay on the tracks already created to reduce the erosion of the cliff top.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 165 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Awabakal Coastal Walk
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
1.9 km
Time
40 min to 45 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
