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NATIONAL
PARKS OF THE CENTRAL COAST
Introduction:
This
page provides an overview of the most popular national parks of the Central
Coast region; Bouddi,
Brisbane Water and Wyrrabalong National Parks, as well as Munmorah State
Conservation Area.
For
additional information, you will find a link to (1) the National Parks and
Wildlife Service home page for each park and (2) its plan of management. The
plans of
management contain a lot of information on the natural environments (geology,
soils, flora and fauna etc.), Aboriginal
heritage, history, and recreational opportunities in a particular park.
Please
note that if you are intending to do any walking through the bush, even if it is
only for 500 metres, you should always wear appropriate clothing and footwear,
and read the National Parks and Wildlife Service's safety tips before you go: General
Safety Information. The cooler months (May-September) are definitely
much more preferable for bushwalking. During late-spring and summer you
obviously need to be on the lookout for snakes but, for me, the biggest problems
are the heat, the flies and aggressive wasps.
Bouddi National Park:
Bouddi National Park lies along the northern shore of
Broken Bay flanking the entrance to the Hawkesbury River and the
Brisbane Water and covers an area of approximately 1,532 hectares, of
which some 300 hectares constitutes the marine extension of the park.
The
heart of Bouddi National Park is Maitland Bay. Getting there, from the
car park on The Scenic Road, involves a one kilometre walk down a
steep but well-maintained track. However, be aware that there are many
steps and the walk will take at least 20 minutes going down and 40
minutes coming back up. An easier alternative is to proceed down the track for about 75
metres until you pass the sign marking the turn-off to the Bullimah
Spur Track (on your right). About another 75 metres further along you
will see a short path on your left, which leads to a rock platform with
a superb view of Maitland Bay. This spot is known as Point Panorama.
Maitland
Bay, Bouddi National Park, from Point Panorama
There
are other walks in Bouddi, including a spectacular coastal walk from Putty Beach
to MacMasters Beach via Maitland Bay (around 8 kilometres each way). However, since this web site is primarily aimed at
casual sightseers, I won't go into details. On weekends the Maitland
Bay Information Centre (next to the Maitland Bay car park) is staffed
by volunteers who can offer more information. Alternatively, contact
the Gosford
office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (during business
hours) on (02) 43204200.
If
you are sightseeing by car only you will have to be content with the
view from Marie Byles Lookout, located about 700 metres further along
The Scenic Road from the Maitland Bay Information Centre. The lookout
offers a great
panoramic view across Broken Bay. On clear days the view extends down
the coastline to Long Reef, and if you have binoculars you'll be able
to see the tall buildings of Sydney's Central Business District.
Bouddi
National Park - Home Page
Bouddi
National Park - Plan of Management
Brisbane Water
National Park:
Brisbane
Water National Park lies to the west of the townships of Pearl Beach,
Umina, Woy Woy, Koolewong, Tascott and Point Clare and
to the south of Kariong and covers an area of 11,473 hectares.
Generally,
Brisbane Water National Park is more suited to experienced bush
walkers. However, there are a number of nice spots that are accessible to
the average sightseer, including Somersby Falls (located
on Somersby Falls Road, off Wisemans Ferry Road) and Girrakool Picnic
Area (off the Pacific Highway near Kariong). A $7 vehicle entry
fee applies to both these spots.
There
are some other reasonbly accessible spots of interest, such as the
Bulgandry and Warrah Trig.
The
Bulgandry Aboriginal Engraving Site is on Woy Woy Road about 2
kilometres south of Kariong. However, you will need to walk through the
bush for about half a kilometre to reach the site.
Warrah
Trig (reached by car via a fire trail from Patonga Drive) has a great view
across the Hawkesbury River and up Cowan Creek. Both sides of the fire
trail are a carpet of wildflowers in spring and it is one of the best
wildflower spots on the Central Coast. From the trig you can walk 500
metres down to Warrah Lookout via the Tony Doyle Track. This lookout has
superb panoramic views across Broken Bay and is worth the effort of a fairly steep
walk.
Brisbane
Water National Park - Home Page
Brisbane
Water National Park - Plan of Management
Wyrrabalong
National Park:
Wyrrabalong
National Park is in several parts.
North Wyrrabalong covers a substantial area of the North Entrance
Peninsula, between the towns of North Entrance and Norah Head, while
South Wyrrabalong is located on the coast between Shelly Beach and
Forresters Beach. The Park also includes Terilbah and Pelican Islands within Tuggerah Lake.
The total area of the Park is 597 hectares.
The
major attractions of North Wyrrabalong is the Red Gum Forest and a
substantial area of littoral rainforest, while
South Wyrrabalong features excellent coastal views and whale watching
vantage points from both Crackneck Lookout and Wyrrabalong Lookout
(which, at 132 metres, is the highest point on the coast between
Sydney and Newcastle). The Coast Walking Track, between Crackneck
Lookout and Wyrrabalong Lookout has spectacular wildflower displays in
spring and is noted for its flannel flowers.
Looking
north from Crackneck Lookout at dawn
Wyrrabalong
National Park - Home Page
Wyrrabalong
National Park - Plan
of Management
Munmorah State
Conservation Area:
Munmorah
State Conservation Area is located on the coast between Budgewoi and Catherine
Hill Bay and covers a total area of 1,515 hectares. It features 12 km of rugged
coastline, magnificent ocean views and wildflower displays in spring, as well as
some excellent surfing beaches.
A
major advantage of Munmorah State Conservation Area is that many of its main
attractions can be accessed by car. Note
that a $7 vehicle entry fee applies.
Definitely not to be missed is a drive along
Snapper Point Road, taking in the two brilliant lookouts on your way down to the
Snapper Point sea cave at the end of the road. Walk down the track from the car
park at the Snapper Point cave for 100 metres and you will come across great
views of Wybung Head and Frazer Beach.
Also
not to be missed is a drive along Wybung Head Road. There are superb views from both Wybung Trig and Wybung
Head car park. You can walk from the car park down to Wybung Head for even
better scenery. Take note of the warning sign at the gate which points out that
the cliffs are unfenced and the edges could be unstable. The section of Wybung
Head Road, from the trig to the car park at Wybung Head also has one of the best
spring wildflower displays on the Central Coast. See the Wildflowers
page for more details.
Snapper
Point Road and Wybung Head Road are unsealed
but are easily accessible for ordinary cars if you drive sensibly.
Other
spots of note are The Palms Picnic Area and Frazer Beach (on Frazer Beach Road)
and Birdie Beach and the Tea Tree Picnic Area (on Birdie Beach Drive).
See
the Best Scenic Spots page for images of Munmorah
State Conservation Area.
Munmorah
State Conservation Area - Home Page
Munmorah
State Conservation Area - Plan
of Management
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