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 offers superb views of the Central Coast, Broken Bay, Lion Island, the Hawkesbury River, and the Barrenjoey Headland.
The walk is short, but you have the option to explore other walks and beaches nearby, such as Lobster Beach and Tallow Beach.
| Box Head Track | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 3.2 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours (including stops) |
| Grade: | Easy / moderate (steps, uneven path) |
| Dog-friendly: | No |
Getting There
Box Head is a large headland in Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast that marks the northern entry point to Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.
Driving to Box Head from Sydney is a bit of a hassle, as you will need to go north via Gosford and then south towards the southern tip of the Bouddi National Park peninsula.
To get to the starting point of the Box Head Walking Track, turn into Hawke Head Drive in Hardys Bay. Follow this road until you reach a small car park at the Bouddi National Park signpost (see map location).
The last stretch of Hawk Head Drive is unsealed and has quite a few potholes, but it is manageable with a 2WD car.
Track Notes
The 3.2 km return walking trail to the Box Head Lookout is relatively easy, but it does contain quite a few steps and the path is very uneven.
Here is a map of the walk:
The Walk
From the car park, follow the walking trail past the Bouddi National Park Tallow Beach signpost and walk around the gate further up the fire trail.
The track arrives at an intersection where you can turn right to visit Lobster Beach (see further below) or turn left to continue to the Box Head Lookout.
This intersection is followed by another intersection for Tallow Beach and Box Head. Veer right at this point and follow the track until it reaches a rocky area.
From that point on, the trail continues through a landscape of bushland and heath vegetation, until it reaches the edge of the cliff leading to the lookout.
Box Head was named that way because the headland actually looks like a giant box when viewed from the ocean.
As you get closer to the official lookout, the views of Tallow Beach, Little Tallow Beach, and Maitland Bay on the left are amazing.
Box Head Lookout
The trail ultimately ends right at the tip of Box Head, where the lookout offers breathtaking views of Broken Bay, the Barrenjoey Headland, and Lion Island.
There is a bench at the lookout where you can have a rest while soaking in the beautiful surroundings and views.
Once you’ve finished absorbing the views and exploring the headland, retrace your steps to the car parking area via the same route.
Walks and Beaches Nearby
If you have extra time to spare, we strongly recommend exploring the area a bit further, as there is so much to discover.
A logical option is to visit Tallow Beach and Little Tallow Beach, to the northwest of Box Head.
You can walk to both beaches via a signposted detour from the Box Head Track. Both beaches are very secluded and are surrounded by scenic bushland.
Another option is to visit Lobster Beach via the Flannel Flower walking track. The start of this 2.9 km walk is at the junction close to the car park.
This easy bushwalking trail through a forest of red gum trees offers great views of Broken Bay and the beaches nearby. Lobster Beach is a beautiful 300m secluded strip of sand facing Brisbane Water with Umina Beach and Pearl Beach on the other side of the bay.
For more things to do in this beautiful part of New South Wales, read our guide to the best walks in Bouddi National Park for a complete overview.
