Last updated: January 10, 2023
The 2.6 km return walk from Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout in Bouddi National Park is a family-friendly coastal trail through beautiful scenery.
This easy walking track forms part of the popular 8 km Bouddi Coastal Track, so there is the opportunity to extend the walk and make a day of it.
Read on and learn more about the highlights of this fantastic hike, where best to park your car, and other sights and walks nearby.
| Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 2.6 km (return) |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours (depending on stops) |
| Grade: | Easy |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
How to Get There
The walking track from Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout starts from the Putty Beach campground and picnic area in Killcare Heights, which happens to have a large car park (see map location).
The best way to get there from the M1 Motorway is via Woy Woy Road to Woy Woy, followed by Empire Bay Drive in Empire Bay, and then Wardshill Road, The Scenic Road and Putty Beach Drive to the campground in Killcare Heights.
Please note that parking at the campground will cost $8 for the whole day, to be paid at one of the ticket machines.
Here is a map of the walk:
Track Notes
Once you’ve parked your car and paid the parking fee, it’s time to start hiking. You can find the start of the walking trail at the car park at the end of Putty Beach Rd.
Highlights and landmarks along the walk:
- Putty Beach
- Tessellated Pavement
- Bullimah Beach
- Gerrin Point Lookout
It’s a relatively easy 2.6 km return walk, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. However, it is recommended to wear proper shoes to be better able to navigate the rocky areas.
1. Putty Beach
Putty Beach is a beautiful, unspoiled, southeast-facing strip of sand, located in the suburb of Killcare Heights on the Central Coast.
The western end of the beach evolves into Killcare Beach, which has its own surf lifesaving club. Putty Beach usually has calmer waters than Killcare Beach.
Putty Beach is a family-friendly destination, with picnic and toilet facilities nearby, water suitable for swimming, and lots of space to settle in for the day.
Staying overnight is possible at the Putty Beach campground, which you can book through the NSW National Parks website.
The beach is also the starting point of the popular Bouddi Coastal Walk, with the stretch between Putty Beach and Gerrin Point Lookout being the first section of that iconic walking track.
The walking track heads into the bush at the eastern end of the beach at the large Bouddi Coastal Walk signpost. However, it is also possible to walk to the rocky headland east of the beach and continue on the main walking track from there.
The views from that headland are pretty impressive, and the landscape and the different colours of the sandstone are fascinating.
2. Tessellated Pavement
The walking trail continues on wooden boardwalks around the cliffs, heading towards the Tessellated Pavement.
The Tessellated Pavement is a set of sandstone blocks that were formed over millions of years through weathering and erosion.
A small viewing platform with an information board in front of this unique rock formation offers excellent views from close by.
3. Bullimah Beach
Not too far from the Tessellated Pavement is a junction with a short detour to Bullimah Beach.
Bullimah Beach is small but picturesque south-west facing beach at the western tip of Gerrin Point, bordered by steep cliffs.
The beach can only be reached on foot via the coastal walk from Putty Beach or from Maitland Bay.
Retrace your steps to that junction, and continue the main walking track towards Gerrin Point.
4. Gerrin Point Lookout
This section of the walking track goes up a hill along steps, footbridges and boardwalks, keeping the ocean on the right, soon arriving at the lookout.
Gerrin Point Lookout is a fenced viewing platform that offers beautiful views of Maitland Bay and further north up the coast.
It’s a wooden platform with a small bench built in, perfect for whale watching during the winter months.
Feeling energetic?
From Gerrin Point, the coastal walk continues to Maitland Bay, Bouddi Point, and then all the way to beautiful Little Beach.
