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 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 25 October
  
  21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe inland. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Saturday 26 October
  
  13°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then turning south to southeasterly in the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 20s.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Sunday 27 October
  
  12°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the morning and early afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 21.
  
  Monday 28 October
  
  15°C → 27°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 29 October
  
  14°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Sunny morning. Medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 30.
  
  Wednesday 30 October
  
  14°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  15°C → 23°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Wyrrabalong National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Wyrrabalong National Park closure for fox control shooting operation
  Parts of Wyrrabalong National Park will be closed within a date range of 0630 (6:30am) Monday 14th October 2024 to 2300pm Friday 20th December 2024 for fox control shoot operations preventing localised economic impacts and protecting biodiversity assets within the park.
  
  When active the shoot operation area will be delignated by signage advising visitors “do not enter” at any time during the night-time operation.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  For more information, call the local park office on 024972 9000 or email npws.centralcoast@environment.nsw.gov.au.
  
  Other planned events: Construction Works Adjacent to Wyrrabalong National Park
  Construction of the Magenta Shared Walkway on behalf of Central Coast Council is being undertaken adjacent to Wilfred Barret Drive, Magenta. These works are not within Wyrrabalong National Park and no clearing of Park Estate is planned to occur as part of these works. National Parks and Wildlife would encourage park visitors to follow any safety signage installed as part of these works. Further information regarding this project can be found at here at Magenta Shared Path Construction (continuation) | Central Coast Council (nsw.gov.au.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts