5 Lands Walk
The 5 Lands Walk is a stunning 10 km walk on the Central Coast Australia.
It happens every year, just after winter solstice toward the end of June. Thousands of people take part.
The 5 Lands Walk starts at Macmasters Beach and traverses 5 beaches (Macmasters Beach, Copacabana Beach, Avoca Beach, North Avoca Beach and Terrigal Beach). The scenery is stunning.
It’s not a race, you can start at any time and go at any pace you want.
Everybody walks. Young and old. Fit and unfit.
There are things to see and do at each beach: Music performances including multicultural and Aboriginal. Barbecues. Cafes & restaurants. Sculptures. Art exhibitions.
But you don’t have to walk the whole way…
If you get tired during the walk, hop in a shuttle bus. It will take you to the beaches ahead or back to the start. Shuttle buses circulate between 7.00 am - 5.00 pm.
The 5 Lands Walk also happens during the migration of whales. We saw 3 this year. You can be nearly one hundred percent sure to see whales.
If you live in Sydney, come to the Central Coast for the day. Take the Palm Beach Ferry to Ettalong, then hop in a free shuttle bus. Or take the scenic train ride to Woy Woy Station, hop on a bus to Ettalong wharf, and hop in the free shuttle bus.
Try to get there early and enjoy the sunrise...
The idea behind the 5 Lands Walk is to connect “people to people” and “people to land”. Hence the stunning location of the walk and the art and entertainment by Aboriginal, cultural and local communities.
Here it is from start to finish:
1. Macmasters Beach to Copacabana Beach
1.4 KM ON THE BEACH
There are things to see and do at Macmasters Beach before heading for the walk:
- Free breakfast - first 550 people
- Opening ceremony 8 am
- Art exhibition
- Sand sculptures
Here you can “Take a pebble of possibility, hold it on your journey, and when it feels right cast it into the ocean as your gift of energy and intention”.
Then start walking.
The first stretch on the beach is of course the easiest. Legs are rested and minds are oblivious of the 10 km and hills ahead.
Adults walk, children play.
There’s just something about walking alongside dozens of other people. I don’t know what it is, but it’s motivating.
There’s also something to look forward to: Music, art, whales, food and other fun things.
Here’s what we found at Copacabana Beach:
- Toilets
- Water refill station
- On-stage music performances
- Sausage / egg & bacon rolls
- Face painting
- Art exhibition
The music performance was superb. Kids were dancing.
Soon, adults were dancing, too.
The art exhibition from local high school students was excellent.
2. Copacabana Beach to Avoca Beach
4.6 KM OVER A HEADLAND
The walk is up and up the road to the top of the headland.
At the top is Captain Cook Lookout. It’s whale watching time.
Then the walk goes down to Winnie Bay through a lovely bush path.
Then it’s up again. It was the hardest hill for the girls. For other people, too, looking at how many were trying to catch their breath at the top.
Then it goes down and down to Avoca Beach.
There’s lots to see and do at Avoca Beach. This is what we found:
- Toilets
- Water refill station
- On-stage music performances
- Sausage / egg & bacon rolls
- Sculptures
- Art exhibition
- Restaurants and cafes
Many people decide to stop walking there – it’s been a long walk from Macmasters Beach. You can hop in a shuttle bus.
The girls were exhausted. But they were ready to hit the road again after a humongous milkshake.
3. Avoca Beach to North Avoca Beach
1.6 KM ON THE BEACH
This section is a nice flat stroll on the beach.
Kids like the middle section of the beach as there are lots of kites. They get to fly their own kite.
This is what we found at North Avoca Beach:
- Toilets
- Water refill station
- DJ and loud music
- Art exhibition
- Giant kites, kites for kids
4. North Avoca Beach to Terrigal beach
2.7 KM OVER A HEADLAND
The walk goes up the headland and down to Terrigal Beach.
There’s a killer of a hill to climb for those who are already tired. By this stage the girls had almost reached their limits. But if you’re fairly fit, the 5 Lands Walk is just a nice long stroll.
From the top of the headland, the walk goes down through back laneways. The ocean views in the background are beautiful.
There are more things to see and do at Terrigal Beach, if you’re still keen to walk around. This is what we found:
- Toilets
- Water refill station
- On-stage music performances
- Jumping castle
- Eateries and restaurants
When you’re ready to go, take the shuttle bus back to Macmasters Beach.
Walking Route
Getting There
By car: There’s limited parking at Macmasters Beach. They suggest you park at Terrigal and take the shuttle bus to Macmasters Beach to start walking. You’ll finish walking back at Terrigal, near your car. Parking at Terrigal is free at the Haven and at the Wilson Rd carpark. You can also park off-street at Copacabana Beach, Avoca Beach or North Avoca Beach.
By Palm Beach Ferry: There’s a free shuttle bus at Ettalong at each morning ferry arrival from Palm Beach. The shuttle bus will take you to the start at Macmasters Beach. Then the shuttle buses from Terrigal take you back to Ettalong in time for the ferries to Palm Beach. The last bus is at 5.30 pm.
By train: take the scenic train on the Sydney to Newcastle line. Alight at Woy Woy Station. Catch the Busways bus to Ettalong Ferry Wharf, then catch the free shuttle bus to the start of the walk at Macmasters Beach.
See the current information on transport.
More Information
Check out the official website for the 5 Lands Walk.
Find Out More About the 5 Lands Walk Beaches...
Do you want to find out more about the beaches you'll meet at the 5 Lands Walk? Read about things to see and do at Copacabana, Avoca and Terrigal in these pages below...
