10 Best Bouddi National Park Walks

Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast offers great bushwalks, secluded beaches and lookouts with stunning coastal views.

Enjoy whale watching, mountain biking and bushwalking.

All walking tracks lead to beautiful hidden beaches or scenic viewpoints, and the national park is located near popular beach towns, so it’s easily accessible.

Check out the best walks in Bouddi National Park, ranging between 1.5 and 8.5 kilometres. Some are great to walk with children.

If you fancy a longer walk, link up two or more trails together.

1. Coastal Walk

Distance: 8.5 Kilometres one-way

Duration: 1hr 40 min

Difficulty: Medium

The Coastal Walk was nominated as one of the 18 best day walks in Australia by Australian Geographic.

The track follows the coastline between Macmasters Beach and Putty Beach, along a boardwalk in parts. It passes the scenic Gerrin Point Lookout and the secluded Maitland Bay and Little Beach.

The coastal views are amazing. You'll find many opportunities to take great photos so remember to bring your camera. And pack your swimmers.

Park at the end of Putty Beach Road in Killcare Heights ($8 parking fee) if starting from the southern end or near MacMasters Beach SLSC if starting from the northern end.

Find out more about the Coastal Walk.

2. Maitland Bay Track

Bouddi National Park Walks - Maitland Bay

Bouddi National Park – Maitland Bay Walk Map

Distance: 1.8 kilometres return

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: Medium

Maitland Bay track is a short but steep walk through the Bouddi Grand Deep rainforest.

Walking down the steps, of course, means you have to climb them on the way back, but it’s worth it.

The walk is well-maintained and ends at Maitland Bay, a popular hidden beach in Bouddi National Park.

Park next to the Maitland Bay Information Centre on Scenic Road, corner Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare Heights.

Find out more about the Maitland Bay track.

3. Mount Bouddi Walking Track

Bouddi National Park – Mount Bouddi Walking Track

Bouddi National Park – Mount Bouddi Walking Track Map

Distance: 3.2 kilometres return

Duration: 1hr 30min

Difficulty: Medium

The walk starts in a dense forest with a closed canopy that keeps the hot sun out.

A little further are grass trees and burrawangs. Then the bush thins out and the sun rays start to infiltrate the canopy. The track begins to descend steeply.

As you walk down, the sound of the ocean becomes louder and louder, then you start getting filtered views of Maitland Bay.

The walk ends at Maitland Bay. Dip your toe in the ocean and get ready for the little workout.

The only difficult part is climbing stairs on the way back, which takes about 10 minutes.

Park at the end of Mount Bouddi Road, Killcare Heights.

4. Box Head Walking Track

Bouddi National Park Walks – Box Head Walking Track

Bouddi National Park – Box Head Walking Track Map

Distance: 3 kilometres return

Duration: 1hr 15min

Difficulty: Medium

This track follows the top of the cliff line on Box Head to the tip of the headland, where you get sweeping views of the ocean, Broken Bay, Palm Beach and the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.

Park at the end of Hawke Head Drive, Killcare. Walk past the fence and down the management trail. Follow the sign to Tallow Beach and take the fork indicated “Box Head”.

5. Bullimah Spur Track

Bouddi National Park – Bullimah Spur Walking Track

Bouddi National Park – Bullimah Spur Walking Track Map

Distance: 2 kilometres return

Duration: 45 min

Difficulty: Easy

Walk along a delightful forest filled with Angophora trees and cycads.

You can hear the sound of waves crashing to shore in the distance and get filtered views of the ocean.

At the end of the walk, you stand on a large rock where another stunning view awaits. There's no fencing at the lookout, so watch out with kids.

You can also do a loop walk. An unofficial track continues from the large rock down to the Coastal Walk, where you can turn left or right.

Park next to Maitland Bay Information Centre on Scenic Road, corner Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare Heights. Follow the walk to Maitland Bay and take the track that branches off indicated 'Bullimah Spur Track'.

6. Little Beach Trail

Bouddi National Park – Little Beach Trail

Bouddi National Park – Little Beach Trail Map

Distance: 1.5 kilometres return

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

A short easy walk through a beautiful remnant rainforest leading to Little Beach, a secluded cove with a barbecue and non-flush toilets.

The walk is so easy toddlers can walk there and back on their own, and you can even wheel an all-terrain pram.

Bring a picnic and chill out at the beach. It’s very relaxing.

Park on Grahame Drive in Macmasters Beach. Drive just past the houses. You’ll see signs for the walk.

Find out more about the Little Beach trail.

7. Flannel Flower Walking Track

Bouddi National Park – Flannel Flower Walking Track

Bouddi National Park – Flannel Flower Walking Track Map

Distance: 2.4 kilometres return

Duration: 1hr 15min

Difficulty: Medium

The walk starts at Box Head, passes flannel flowers sprinkled along the trail, and ends at Lobster Beach, a secluded beach in Broken Bay.

You get beautiful views of Pearl Beach and Ocean Beach near the beginning of the walk.

Walk past the 'Pedestrian give way to vehicles' fences, then follow the sign to Lobster Beach to the left. Climb the stairs up and down to Lobster Beach, the highlight of the walk.

Park at the end of Hawke Head Drive, Killcare. Walk past the fence to the end of the management trail and follow the track that indicates 'Lobster Beach and Flannel Flower Walking Track'.

If you'd like to take a shortcut to Lobster Beach, park on High View Road, corner Venice Road, Wagstaffe.

8. Tallow Beach

Bouddi National Park Walks – Tallow Beach Trail

Bouddi National Park – Tallow Beach Trail Map

Distance: 2.4 kilometres return

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: Medium

This walk follows a short but steep management trail. It begins on Box Head and ends at Tallow Beach, another isolated beach and camping ground.

You can even ride your mountain bike along that trail.

You get elevated views of Tallow Beach backed by sandstone escarpments along the walk.

Bring your surfboard if you like surfing.

Park at the end of Hawke Head Drive, Killcare. Walk past the fence to the end of the management trail and take the left track indicated 'Tallow Beach'.

Find out more about the Tallow Beach trail.

9. Allen Strom Lookout

Bouddi National Park Walks – Allen Strom Lookout

Bouddi National Park – Allen Strom Lookout Walking Track Map

Distance: 2 kilometres return

Duration: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Although I don’t find this management trail through dry woodland alluring, it ends at a beautiful lookout. And it’s an easy walk for children.

The lookout overlooks Hardys Bay, dotted with sailing boats.

You can also ride to the lookout on a mountain bike.

Park on Wards Hill Road, corner Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare Heights. The start begins a couple of metres down the street.

10. Daleys Point Trail

Bouddi National Park Walks – Dalleys Point Trail

Bouddi National Park – Dalleys Point Trail Map

Distance: 3.4 kilometres return

Duration: 1hr 45min

Difficulty: Medium

Daleys Point Trail leads to an Aboriginal engraving site and a great view of St-Hubert’s Island and Brisbane Water.

The walk is along a management trail through dry woodland, which you can also ride on a mountain bike.

There are a couple of intersections along the trail. Continue straight past the Fishermen’s Trail intersection and take a left to the Aboriginal engraving site or a right to the viewpoint at the next Y-intersection.

The highlight of the walk is the Aboriginal engraving site. The drawings on the large flat rock are fascinating.

Park in the carpark on Wards Hill Road, corner Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare Heights.