Find the ten best walks in Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast, exploring scenic bushland, sandstone cliffs, beautiful coastal paths, and quiet beaches.
Bouddi National Park may not be on everyone’s to-do list when looking for new walking tracks to explore. But this 15 km2 national park is home to some great bush and coastal walks.
It was established in 1967 as a National Park, using the local Aboriginal name for the eastern headland of Maitland Bay. There are still many Aboriginal sites to be found in the area, such as middens, engravings, and rock shelters.
The below ten walking tracks in Bouddi National Park range from an easy 1.5 km to a more challenging 8 km in length.
Top 10 Walks:
| Walk | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bouddi Coastal Walk | 8 km (one way) |
| 2 | Little Beach to Mullian Lookout | 7 km (return) |
| 3 | Maitland Bay Track | 3.6 km (return) |
| 4 | Box Head Track | 3.2 km (return) |
| 5 | Daleys Point Walking Track | 3.2 km (return) |
| 6 | Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout | 2.6 km (return) |
| 7 | Bullimah Spur Track | 2.4 km (return) |
| 8 | Bouddi Spur Walking Track | 2.4 km (return) |
| 9 | Rocky Point Trail to Allen Strom Lookout | 1.8 km (return) |
| 10 | Little Beach Trail | 1.5 km (return) |
1. Bouddi Coastal Walk
Enjoy 8 kilometres of quiet beaches, lookout points, boardwalks, and panoramic ocean views, as you hike from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach along the coast of Bouddi National Park.
Some of the many highlights of this classic Central Coast walking track include the Gerrin Point Lookout, Maitland Bay, and Bullimah Beach.
If 8 km is too long, this walk can be divided into two shorter sections: Little Beach to Maitland Bay, and Maitland Bay to Putty Beach.
Read more: Bouddi Coastal Walk.
| Bouddi Coastal Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 8 km (one way) |
| Duration: | 4 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
2. Little Beach to Mullian Lookout
The walking track between Little Beach and Mullian Lookout is a shorter section of the Bouddi Coastal Walk, and offers a pleasant mix of thriving bushland scenery and scenic coastal views.
With dramatic coastal cliffs, beautiful beaches, and scenic lookouts, this 7 km return hike makes for the perfect weekend escape for Sydneysiders.
The highlight of this walk is the Mullian Lookout, a vantage point that features a spacious wooden platform with sweeping views of the Tasman Sea.
Read more: Little Beach to Mullian Lookout.
| Little Beach to Mullian Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7 km (return) |
| Duration: | 2-3 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
3. Maitland Bay Track
The Maitland Bay Track is a short but steep bushwalk that winds its way down from the Bouddi National Park Information Centre to the stunning beach of Maitland Bay through beautiful rainforest.
While the track down to the beach may be easy, the return trip is quite challenging, with some very steep sections to conquer.
Once you’ve set foot on the yellow sand of the beach, we recommend continuing to Bouddi Point, where you can discover the remains of an old shipwreck. The distance to the beach is 1.8 km (return), and to Bouddi Point is 3.6 km (return).
Read more: Maitland Bay Track.
| Maitland Bay Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance (to Bouddi Point): | 3.6 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep) |
4. Box Head Track
The Box Head Track in Bouddi National Park is a short trail through serene bushland scenery, leading to a beautiful lookout with panoramic views.
The lookout on the southernmost tip of the Bouddi National Park peninsula is a beauty, offering superb views of the Central Coast, Broken Bay, Lion Island, the Hawkesbury River, and the Barrenjoey Headland.
This walk is short, but there are other walks and beaches nearby to explore, such as Lobster Beach and Tallow Beach.
Read more: Box Head Track.
| Box Head Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.2 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
5. Daleys Point Walking Track
The start of the 3.2 km (return) Daleys Point Walking Track is at the same car park that serves the Rocky Point Trail (see further below).
The scenic Daleys Point Walking Track leads to a well-preserved Aboriginal site and a lookout with views over the Brisbane River.
This Aboriginal site is one of the most impressive in the area, and includes a series of rock engravings, charcoal drawings, grinding grooves, and a shell midden.
Read more: Daleys Point Walking Track.
| Daleys Point Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.2 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
6. Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout
Perhaps the most enjoyable section of the Bouddi Coastal Walk is the 2.6 km return walking trail between Putty Beach and Gerrin Point Lookout.
This is an easy, family-friendly walking track that takes in beautiful scenery, secluded beaches, lookout points and unique rock formations.
Ample parking is available at the Putty Beach campground, from where you can start this hike to the Tessellated Pavement, Bullimah Beach, and Gerrin Point.
Read more: Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout.
| Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.6 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Easy |
7. Bullimah Spur Track
Like the Maitland Bay track, the Bullimah Spur Track also starts at the Bouddi National Park information centre, but this walk goes southbound towards the Bullimah Outlook.
The exciting walking track meanders through bushland with fantastic views of Maitland Bay to take in along the way.
The views from the lookout at the end of the walk are incredible, with Putty Beach, Broken Bay, Palm Beach, Lion Island, and Box Head all visible on a clear day.
Parking is available at the Information Centre on Scenic Road. From there, follow the Maitland Bay Track for a short while until it branches out into the Bullimah Spur Track.
Read more: Bullimah Spur Track.
| Bullimah Spur Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.4 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1 hour |
| Grade: | Easy |
8. Bouddi Spur Walking Track
The scenic but steep Bouddi Spur Walking Track starts at the Mount Bouddi (Dingeldei) picnic area and guides hikers through beautiful bushland to the junction with the Bouddi Coastal Walk.
From that junction, we recommend to continue hiking along the coastal trail to the beautiful beach of Maitland Bay, which isn’t too far away.
The Bouddi Spur Walking Track, also referred to as the Mount Bouddi Walking Track, is an energising trail, with great coastal views to enjoy towards the end.
Read more: Bouddi Spur Walking Track.
| Bouddi Spur Walking Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.4 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate |
9. Rocky Point Trail to Allen Strom Lookout
The Allen Strom Lookout faces west, offering scenic, panoramic views over Hardys Bay and Brisbane Water.
The Rocky Point Trail that leads to the lookout is an easy 1.8 km return walk through bush and woodland that is also popular as a beginner cycling track.
This is by no means a spectacular walking track, but it’s a family-friendly trail, and the lookout is rewarding. You can park your car on Wards Hill Road at the intersection with Maitland Bay Drive.
Read more: Rocky Point Trail to Allen Strom Lookout.
| Rocky Point Trail to Allen Strom Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1.8 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1 hour |
| Grade: | Easy |
10. Little Beach Trail
The short walking trail to Little Beach takes you through a peaceful stretch of rainforest and over a little bridge to the sand and rocks of Little Beach.
Little Beach is a beautifully secluded strip of sand, ideal for a quick swim on a warm day. Just behind the beach, you’ll find a small campground with six campsites. If you’re interested in an overnight stay, bookings can be made through the NSW National Parks website.
To reach this spot, park your car at the Little Beach car park, and follow the 750-metre trail down to the beach.
| Little Beach Trail | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 1.5 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1 hour |
| Grade: | Easy |
The Maitland Bay Track is a great walk, yes it is a bit steep but the reward of reaching the Bay is worth it. Plenty of parking is available near the Information Centre too. Highly recommend.
Thanks Michael, we couldn’t agree more!
The Bouddi Coastal walk is one of the best walks around Sydney, and one of my favourite walks.
For a shorter walk, take the Bullimah Spur track, which has great views over Maitland Bay, as well as across to Putty Beach. Continue past Bullimah Outlook and down to the Bouddi Coastal Track. You can then return via Maitland Bay to the car park.
Thanks for the tip, Oliver!
Does the Bullimah track join the coastal walk at the end? In short can you reach Putty beach while walking down the Bullimah spur track?
Hello SD, officially the track ends at the lookout. However, it is possible to hike down to connect to the Coastal Track, but that is a steep descent and we wouldn’t recommend it for safety reasons. The alternative is to take the Maitland Bay Track to the beach and continue on the Coastal Track from there.