The walking trail from Little Beach to Mullian Lookout provides a pleasant mix of spectacular coastal views and thriving bushland scenery.
Featuring dramatic coastal cliffs, beautiful beaches, and scenic lookouts, this 7 km return hike in Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast makes for the perfect weekend escape.
| Little Beach to Mullian Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 7 km (return) |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Grade: | Moderate (steep sections) |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
This walking track begins at the Little Beach car park at the end of Grahame Drive in the suburb of MacMasters Beach (see location on map).
If you’re travelling from Sydney, the most convenient route is via the Central Coast Highway through Gosford, followed by Avoca Drive, Empire Bay Road, and The Scenic Road.
The car park is spacious, so finding a spot to park there should not be an issue upon arrival.
Map
In the track notes below, we will describe this walking track along the following sections and highlights:
- Little Beach Trail
- Bush Trail
- Bombi Moor Firetrail
- Coastal Walk
- Mullian Lookout
Track Notes
This walk is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, though there are a few steeper sections with numerous steps.
Overall, the track is well-maintained, featuring a mix of fire trails, narrow bush paths, and coastal trails. Bring reliable hiking shoes and a bottle of water, especially on warmer days.
1. Little Beach Trail
Once you’ve parked and are ready to begin, look for the Bouddi National Park and Little Beach signpost at the eastern end of the car park.
Avoid taking the fire trail on the opposite side of the car park, as it bypasses Little Beach.
If you’ve visited Little Beach before, you can choose to skip the extra stretch that leads down to the beach. However, if it’s your first time, this picturesque spot is worth a visit.
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.
From Little Beach, retrace your steps approximately 100 metres and turn onto the bush trail heading southbound, signposted as Maitland Bay, Mount Bouddi, and Putty Beach.
2. Bush Trail
The next section of the walking track follows a narrow bush trail. Initially, it is paved and uphill before transitioning into a sandy path.
After roughly 500 metres of hiking through the bush, the trail leads to a large sandy clearing where three fire trails intersect.
At this three-way intersection, continue straight ahead, following the fire trail that veers to the right, signposted as Maitland Bay.
3. Bombi Moor Firetrail
This trail is called the Bombi Moor Firetrail, and while it may not be the most inspiring part of the walking track, it still provides a good bit of exercise.
The Bombi Moor Firetrail intersects with two other trails: the Third Point Trail, which leads to the coast, and the Old Quarry Trail, which heads back to the Little Beach car park.
The Old Quarry Trail serves as a convenient shortcut back to the car park for your return journey. We recommend taking this alternate route on the way back to enjoy a change in scenery, rather than returning the same way.
After approximately 1.3 km of hiking on the Bombi Moor Firetrail, you will reach another sandy clearing with a path to the right, signposted as Bouddi Coastal Walk. This is where the track becomes a lot more exciting!
4. Coastal Walk
This 1.2 km section winds along the stunning coastline of Bouddi National Park, offering breathtaking views of the coastal cliffs and the Tasman Sea.
The walk features a mix of boardwalks, wooden steps, sandy paths, and several creek crossings, with spectacular views along the entire stretch.
Towards the end of this coastal segment, after ascending a set of stairs and continuing along a hillside, the trail reaches the beautiful Mullian Lookout.
5. Mullian Lookout
Mullian Lookout is a relatively new vantage point, featuring a spacious wooden platform that offers sweeping views of the Tasman Sea. It is located just east of Bouddi Point.
Looking south, you can spot the headlands of Bouddi Point, Gerrin Point, and Box Head, in that order. On clear days, you may even catch a glimpse of Lion Island and the Barrenjoey Headland in the distance.
Once you’ve taken in the views, you have the option to retrace your steps along the same trail back to the car park, or continue your hike.
Since this walking track is part of the iconic Bouddi Coastal Walk, you can choose to continue westward to Maitland Bay, followed by Gerrin Point Lookout, and Putty Beach, which marks the end of the coastal walk.
Alternatively, about 20 metres west of the lookout, there is a path heading north, signposted as Mt Bouddi Carpark.
This path, known as the Bouddi Spur Walking Track or Mount Bouddi Walking Track, climbs steeply uphill towards the Mount Bouddi picnic area.
Read our guide on the best walks in Bouddi National Park for a complete list of walking tracks in this area on the Central Coast.
