Tomaree Head Summit Walk

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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	850 m from Shoal Bay Rd opp Bay Village Shops, Shoal Bay. (-32.7181774,152.1829514)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Stockton Street, Nelson Bay, head north along Stockton Street; After 30m, turn slight left on to Stockton Street Nelson Bay. After another 200m, turn left on to Dowling Street Nelson Bay. After another 30m, turn left on to Dowling Street Nelson Bay. After another 1.1km, (at the end of Dowling Street) turn right on to Fingal Street Nelson Bay. After another 150m, turn left on to Trafalgar Street Nelson Bay. After another 300m, turn right on to Shoal Bay Road Nelson Bay. After another 700m, turn slight left on to Shoal Bay Road Nelson Bay. After another 15m, turn slight left on to Shoal Bay Road Nelson Bay. After another 1.3km, turn left on to Shoal Bay Road Shoal Bay. After another 1km, come to the trackhead on Shoal Bay.

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start (from about 50m North East of the intersection with Shoal Bay Road & Zenith Beach Loop Road, Shoal Bay) by heading south-east. You will also find a toilet, parking areaand a shelter here. There is a toilet is at the start. ✔ 24/7.
	Then (at the 3-way intersection) continue straight. After another 10m, pass a parking area (on your right). After another 60m, pass Tomaree Head shelter (on your right). After another 150m, pass 01 seat (on your right).
	After another 60m, (at the 3-way intersection) continue straight. After another 30m, pass 02 seat (5m on your right). After another 90m, pass 03 seat (10m on your right). After another 60m, pass the "01", a picnic table (40m on your right). Then almost immediately, pass the "02", a picnic table (40m on your right).
	After another 50m, (at the 3-way intersection) continue straight.
	Then almost immediately (at the 3-way intersection) bear right. Then head up the steps. After another 70m, pass 01 seat (on your right).
	Then (at the 3-way intersection) bear right. Then head up the steps. Then up steps again after another 40m. After another 40m, head up the steps. After another 100m, pass 02 seat (on the left). After another 40m you will find the Tomaree Head lookout . After another 50m, head up the steps. After another 50m pass a lookout. After another 30m, head up the steps. Then almost immediately pass a lookout. Then head up the steps.
	After another 40m, (at the 3-way intersection) turn right. Then almost immediately, pass Mount Tomaree a summit, a summit (10m ahead). Then almost immediately pass a lookout (15m ahead). Then almost immediately you will find the Tomaree Lookout (30m on the left). After another 10m pass a lookout.
	Then (at the 3-way intersection) bear left (taking the second option to the left, basically straight ahead). After another 20m pass a lookout.
	Then almost immediately you will be at the turn-around point (to return to the start) at Tomaree Head, Shoal Bay. You will also find a summitand a lookout here.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	2km
Time	1 hr 30 mins to 2 hrs

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 80m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 0m from the start.

Seat: There are 5 on route, they are on average 150m part with the largest gap being 200m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	0m	[toilet]
Shelter	80m	Tomaree Head
Seat	200m	1
Seat	300m	2
Seat	400m	3
Seat	600m	1
Seat	750m	2

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Nelson Bay Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Wednesday 16 July
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 17 July
  
  3°C → 17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of frost and the chance of fog in the morning. Slight chance of a shower about the Upper Hunter in the evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between minus 3 and 3 above zero with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 18.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 11:00am to 12:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Friday 18 July
  
  6°C → 17°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. Areas of morning frost. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between zero and 5 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 17.
  
  Saturday 19 July
  
  9°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Medium chance of showers along the coastal fringe, slight chance elsewhere. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 19.
  
  Sunday 20 July
  
  7°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Areas of morning frost. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between minus 1 and 5 above zero with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 18.
  
  Monday 21 July
  
  9°C → 19°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Tuesday 22 July
  
  10°C → 20°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Wednesday 23 July
  
  11°C → 20°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Tomaree National Park alerts
  Hazard reduction burns: Fenceline Stage 2
  There is a planned Hazard Reduction burn in this park from 16/07/2025. The fire is called Fenceline Stage 2. Refer to the Rural Fire Service for latest information. Do not enter any closed area or area with fire. If you see an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000). Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, visit the NSW National Parks fire safety page for park safety guidelines.
  
  Closed areas: Samurai Beach Access and Campground temporarily closed due to flooding
  Samurai Beach and campground is closed to vehicles from Monday 19th May 2025 until further notice due to flooding on the access road.
  Conditions will be reviewed regularly, and the area will reopen when safe and flood waters recede.
  Please follow the directions of National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel and/or signage.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  For more information, please contact the NPWS Hunter Coast area office on 02 4984 8200.
  
  Other incidents: Tomaree Head - Wet Weather Safety Alert
  Tomaree Head Summit Walk lower section can be very slippery in wet weather. Visitors have fallen over on their way down the mountain. Please take extra care on the lower section especially during or after wet weather.
  
  Closed areas: Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages Ruins site closed
  The Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages Ruins site is closed to pedestrian access for public safety reasons. Please do not enter the site under any circumstances.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact the local office.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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