From Captain Cooks Lookout this circuit walk leads through a littoral rainforest and close to the coast in Hat Head National Park. On the way there are opportunities for scenic views and spotting wildflowers and wallabies. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dunghutti people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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.
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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.
Turn right onto Lighthouse Road, 12 and drive for another 4.5 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the end of Lighthouse Rd, Arakoon (just near Captain Cook Lookout), follow the concrete footpath away from the lookout, keeping the road a short distance to your left. Continue straight past the \'Jack Perkins Walking track\' (the return route) and walk past the toilet block to continue on the walk.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Sidetrip to Smoky Cape Lighthouse. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Start.
Find the Smoky Cape Lighthouse at the start.
After 55 m come to the "Captain Cook Lookout".
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 35 m veer left.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 15 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
After another 2.1 km continue straight.
After another 930 m turn right.
After another 1 km head up the surface|wood steps (about 55 m long)
After another 610 m veer left.
After another 35 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Sidetrip to Smoky Cape Lighthouse. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip veer right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 80 m come to the end.
Sidetrip to Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Captain Cook Lookout at the start.
Find the gate at the start.
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 125 m pass the "Smoky Cape Lighthouse" (35 m on your right).
After another 80 m come to "Smoky Cape Lighthouse".
About 15 m past the end is "Smoky Cape".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 245 m to the main route.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 305 m turn around.
After another 345 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Smoky Cape Circuit
Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length
5 km
Time
1 h 45 min to 3 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
No directional signs (5/6)
Infrastructure
No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Forecasted & unexpected severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)