Bouddi National Park Walks: Coastal Walk, Maitland Bay And Box Head
Bouddi National Park is the reason the peninsula south of Daleys Point feels so different from the rest of the Central Coast. In a small area you get a clifftop coastal walk, a rainforest-backed bay with a shipwreck on its rocks, heathland headlands looking across Broken Bay to Sydney's northern beaches, and beaches from a patrolled village surf beach to walk-in coves. This guide covers each walk and beach with the distances, fees and rules as NSW National Parks lists them.
Key Takeaway
Bouddi National Park covers more than 1,500 hectares of coast and ridge, plus a 300-hectare Marine Extension that NSW National Parks describes as one of Australia's earliest marine protected areas. The 8.5 km Bouddi Coastal Walk is the headline, backed by short tracks to Maitland Bay, Gerrin Point, Box Head and Daleys Point.
Before You Walk
1Alerts: Check the NSW National Parks alerts page for Bouddi on the morning you go.
2Fees: Vehicle entry is $8 per day in the Putty Beach area, paid by card at the machines or through the Park'nPay app (as listed in September 2026).
3Tide: The Maitland shipwreck and the rock platforms are only worth the walk at low tide.
Match The Walk To The Group
The main Bouddi tracks are all listed as Grade 3; they differ in length and steps.
1Short and scenic: Putty Beach to Gerrin Point lookout, about 1.2 km each way.
2Half day: Maitland Bay track, or Box Head with the Flannel Flower track.
3Full day: The whole Bouddi Coastal Walk from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach, with a car shuffle.
Why Bouddi Is The Reason To Stay On This Side Of Brisbane Water
Daleys Point sits on the western edge of the Bouddi Peninsula, looking over Brisbane Water towards Ettalong and Booker Bay. Behind it, the ridge rises into Bouddi National Park, and on the far side of that ridge the land drops to the ocean at Killcare, Putty Beach and Maitland Bay.
The park itself is compact. NSW National Parks lists it at more than 1,500 hectares, and it lists Killcare as about a kilometre away. The walks start from a handful of carparks along The Scenic Road, Putty Beach Road and Hawke Head Drive, and several link up.
NPWS notes that Bouddi exists because local environmentalists lobbied for its declaration. More than 100 significant Aboriginal sites have been recorded across the park, including rock engravings, grinding grooves and middens.
On the Bouddi Peninsula the bay is the view, but the national park is the day.
Park Fees, Parking And The Maitland Bay Information Centre
NSW National Parks lists vehicle entry to Bouddi at $8 per vehicle per day, and the track pages note that the fee applies in the Putty Beach area. You pay at the machines, which accept cards, or through the Park'nPay app. Annual passes are also sold; NPWS listed the All Parks Pass at $190 for one year. Fees can change, so confirm before you travel.
The park itself is listed as always open, but NPWS notes it may close at times because of poor weather or fire danger. From the Daleys Point side you head up Wards Hill Road, turn right onto The Scenic Road at Killcare Heights and then left onto Putty Beach Road for the Putty Beach picnic area, which is the start of the Bouddi Coastal Walk.
The Maitland Bay Information Centre is at 174 The Scenic Road. It is run by community volunteers and, as listed in September 2026, opens on weekends and public holidays, with hours varying between 11am and 3pm. It has maps, displays and exhibits for children. Drinking water is listed at the centre, at Gerrin Point lookout and at Putty Beach campground.
Expect patchy phone receptionNPWS warns that mobile reception is limited in the park. Tell someone your plan for longer walks and install the Emergency Plus app, which gives your GPS location to triple zero.
The Park Rules That Catch Visitors Out
No pets. NPWS states that pets and domestic animals, other than certified assistance animals, are not permitted in Bouddi National Park. If you are travelling with a dog, plan the park walks as people-only outings and use council areas outside the park for the dog.
No smoking and no fires. NSW national parks are no-smoking areas. Campfires, solid fuel burners, firewood gathering and generators are all listed as not allowed.
No overnight vehicles. Sleeping in campervans or rooftop tents in the carparks is not permitted. Camping is only in the three booked campgrounds at Putty Beach, Little Beach and Tallow Beach.
Fishing closure in the Marine Extension. You can fish elsewhere in the park with a current NSW recreational fishing licence, but NPWS lists a closure for waters up to the mean high-water mark between Gerrin Point and Bombi Point, including Maitland Bay. Collecting worms, nippers, shellfish and crustaceans is also prohibited in the Marine Extension.
Leave it as you find it. The NPWS visitor guide asks visitors to leave dead wood and rocks where they are, not to feed wildlife, and to keep vehicles on formed public roads. Check the NPWS page for current rules.
The Bouddi Coastal Walk: Putty Beach To MacMasters Beach
The Bouddi Coastal Walk is the park's signature track. NSW National Parks lists it as 8.5 km one way, 3.5 to 4.5 hours, Grade 3, running between Putty Beach in the south-west and MacMasters Beach in the north-east. It passes Gerrin Point lookout, Maitland Bay and the remains of the PS Maitland, Bullimah Beach and Little Beach.
Because it is one way, the full walk needs a plan for the return. The simplest options are two cars (leave one at MacMasters Beach and drive the other to Putty Beach), a pick-up arranged with someone who is not walking, or walking only part of the track and returning the way you came.
Section one: Putty Beach to Maitland Bay (3 km)
The walk starts roughly 300 metres from the Putty Beach picnic area, at the eastern end of the beach. It climbs to Gerrin Point lookout, then follows the coast around to Maitland Bay. It is the most rewarding section for a first visit.
Section two: Maitland Bay to Little Beach (3.5 km)
From the eastern end of Maitland Bay the track rounds Bouddi Point and continues past Bullimah Beach to Little Beach.
Section three: Little Beach to MacMasters Beach (1.7 km)
The last stretch climbs out of Little Beach and runs along the coast to MacMasters Beach. Little Beach has a campground with toilets, a sheltered barbecue and picnic tables, but no drinking water.
Carry more water than you thinkNPWS lists drinking water at the Putty Beach campground, Gerrin Point lookout and the Maitland Bay Information Centre, but not at Little Beach. Fill bottles before you start and carry enough for the whole walk, along with the sunscreen, hat and snacks NPWS recommends.
Gerrin Point Lookout: The Best Short Walk For Everyone
If your group only has an hour, or includes people who will not walk far, Gerrin Point is the place to start. NPWS describes it as about 1.2 km from Putty Beach along the Bouddi Coastal Walk, finishing with stairs and a boardwalk to a lookout platform with a bench built into the fence.
From the platform you look down over Maitland Bay and across the Bouddi National Park Marine Extension, with rainforest running down to the water behind you.
NPWS notes that the lookout can be windy, so bring a jacket even on a warm day, and insect repellent for the forest sections. During whale season it is also one of the better places on the peninsula to scan the water, and NPWS lists drinking water at the lookout.
Maitland Bay: Rainforest Track, Shipwreck And Protected Water
Maitland Bay is a crescent of sand backed by forest, with a shipwreck on the rocks at its eastern end. There are two ways in.
The direct route is the Maitland Bay track from the Maitland Bay Information Centre on The Scenic Road. NPWS lists it as 2 km return, Grade 3, and quite steep with some steps. Allow 15 to 20 minutes going down and 30 to 40 minutes climbing back up. On the way it passes the Bullimah Spur junction, rock landings, Hawkesbury sandstone gullies and the rainforest of the Bouddi Grand Deep. NPWS suggests insect repellent for the mosquitoes in the gullies.
The gentler route is the first section of the Bouddi Coastal Walk from Putty Beach, which NPWS describes as the flatter 3 km option.
The PS Maitland
According to the NPWS visitor guide, the paddle steamer Maitland was wrecked early on 6 May 1898 at Bouddi Point while travelling from Sydney to Newcastle. Thirty-six people were rescued, and around 15 passengers and 12 crew were lost. Its rusted remains lie on the rock platform at Bouddi Point and are visible at low tide.
Swimming and snorkelling
NPWS lists summer as the best season for swimming and snorkelling at Maitland Bay, and the water sits inside the Marine Extension, so fish life is protected. The bay is not patrolled. NPWS warns that there are no lifeguards on the park's beaches and that strong rip currents occur, so swim only when conditions are calm and you are confident, and never alone.
Bullimah Spur And Marie Byles Lookout: Views With Less Effort
The Bullimah Spur track is a quieter alternative from the same starting point as Maitland Bay. NPWS lists it as 2.4 km return, 40 to 45 minutes, Grade 3. You head down the Maitland Bay track and its stairs, then take the Bullimah Spur track that branches off to the right and follows the ridgeline.
The track runs through a forest of tall red gums with a fern understorey and opens to sweeping views over Putty Beach, the coast to the south and the Pacific, with Lion Island and Sydney visible on a clear day.
For anyone who cannot manage steps, NPWS notes that Marie Byles lookout, about 500 metres from the information centre, is wheelchair-accessible by car.
Box Head And The Flannel Flower Track: The Broken Bay End
The southern tip of the peninsula is open heath and angophora forest with big views across Broken Bay. Two tracks start from the end of Hawke Head Drive.
Box Head track
NPWS lists Box Head as 3.1 km return, 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, Grade 3. It alternates between rugged bushland and open heath, with rocky outcrops covered in moss and dwarfed plants. The views take in Tallow Beach, Little Tallow Beach, Broken Bay, Lion Island and Sydney's northern beaches.
Flannel Flower track
The Flannel Flower walking track runs between Tallow Beach and Lobster Beach through angophora forest. NPWS lists it as 2.9 km return, 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, Grade 3, with a lookout over Broken Bay and the beaches at Umina and Pearl Beach. As the name suggests, spring is when the flannel flowers bloom along it. One section crosses private property on a right-of-way, and NPWS asks walkers to stay on the track there.
Check the alert for this end of the parkWhen we checked on 24 September 2026, NPWS listed a 1080 fox-baiting program from 5 to 25 September 2026 affecting the Box Head track, the Flannel Flower walking track and the Little Beach and Tallow Beach campgrounds. 1080 is lethal to dogs and cats. Pets are already not permitted in the park, but check the alerts page for any extension or new program before you go.
Tallow Beach is reached from this end too. NPWS describes the access as a 1.2 km walk on a steep gravel management trail, not recommended for the elderly or very young.
Mount Bouddi And The Ridge Lookouts
The Mount Bouddi walking track starts at the Mount Bouddi (Dingeldei) picnic area, which NPWS lists with toilets and picnic tables. The track is 2.4 km return, 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, Grade 3, with some short steep sections. It passes through eucalypt woodland with grass trees and burrawangs, where parrots and kookaburras are common, before opening to coastal views towards Bouddi Point and the Maitland Bay bombora. Keen walkers can extend it by joining the Bouddi Coastal Walk and returning via the Maitland Bay track.
Allen Strom lookout sits on the ridge above Rocky Point and looks the other way, across Hardys Bay to Wagstaffe, Ettalong and on to Brisbane Water National Park. NPWS describes it as easy to reach on foot or by bike, via a trail that starts near the intersection of Wards Hill Road and Maitland Bay Road. It is named after a man who dedicated his life to establishing national parks and nature reserves, and in spring there can be flannel flowers along the way.
Daleys Point Walking Track: The Walk Closest To Home
If you are staying at Daleys Point, this is the walk to do first. NPWS lists the Daleys Point walking track as 3.2 km return, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, Grade 3. It starts near Wards Hill Road and follows the ridgetop through woodland, with a few short steep sections, to a lookout with wide views over Cockle Bay Nature Reserve and Brisbane Water.
The track's most important feature is cultural. Near the end is a sandstone rock shelter with Aboriginal engravings, also known as Milligans Cave or Fish Hook Shelter, which NPWS describes as an important Aboriginal site. Look, do not touch, and keep children and walking poles well clear of the engraved surfaces.
NPWS notes spring wildflowers along this track, and glossy black cockatoos are recorded in the area.
The Daleys Point track gives you engravings, spring wildflowers and a Brisbane Water view in under two hours, without a beach carpark in sight.
The Beaches Of Bouddi, One By One
The peninsula's beaches range from a patrolled surf beach to walk-in coves with basic facilities.
Killcare Beach
The village surf beach on Beach Drive, listed by Central Coast Council as patrolled by lifeguards in season, with Killcare Surf Life Saving Club on weekends and public holidays.
Putty Beach
The national park end of the same coastline, with the Bouddi Coastal Walk starting at its eastern end. NPWS lists toilets, drinking water, barbecues, an outdoor shower and picnic tables at the campground area, plus rock platforms to explore.
Maitland Bay
Walk-in only, backed by rainforest and inside the Marine Extension. Best for snorkelling on calm summer days and for the shipwreck at low tide. Not patrolled.
Little Beach
A 750 m walk on a gravel management trail from the gate at Grahame Drive, with short uphill sections. Toilets, a sheltered barbecue and picnic tables, but no drinking water.
Tallow Beach
A steep 1.2 km walk from the Box Head end. Secluded, suited to swimming, surfing and rock fishing in the right conditions, and not recommended for the very young or elderly.
Lobster Beach
A sheltered beach on the Broken Bay side, a short walk from the carpark or reached by boat. NPWS mentions swimming, snorkelling, dolphins and sea eagles, and lists toilets here.
NPWS also lists surfing between MacMasters Beach and Box Head as a summer highlight. For a change from the ocean beaches, Ettalong Beach on the Brisbane Water side is about five minutes' drive from the house, according to the listing.
Beach Safety: Patrols, Rips And Rock Platforms
The most important thing to know about Bouddi's beaches is that most of them are not patrolled. NPWS states that no lifeguards patrol the park's beaches and that strong rip currents are present. Killcare Beach, a council beach with lifeguards and a surf club in season, is the exception. When a patrol is on, swim between the red and yellow flags.
Central Coast Council's 2025-26 patrol season ran from Saturday 27 September 2025 to Sunday 26 April 2026 and included Killcare Beach and Ocean Beach at Umina, with council lifeguards on duty 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and Surf Life Saving volunteers on weekends and public holidays. When we checked on 24 September 2026, the council had not yet published its 2026-27 season dates, so confirm current patrol days on the council website or the Beachsafe app before planning a swim.
Rock platforms are part of the appeal at Putty Beach, Maitland Bay and Bouddi Point, but they can be dangerous when swell or tide is up. Explore them at low tide, in calm seas, and never turn your back on the ocean.
A beach wheelchair at KillcareLove Central Coast lists a Sand Cruiser beach wheelchair that can be booked through Killcare Surf Club on 02 4360 2123. Call ahead to confirm it is available on your dates.
Whales, Wildlife And Aboriginal Heritage
Spring visitors are in luck with whales. NPWS says humpback whales can be seen off Bouddi between May and July and again in September and October, as they head back south, and southern right whales from late July. Gerrin Point, the Bullimah Spur views and the Box Head heath are all good spots to scan the water. Sightings are never guaranteed.
On land, NPWS lists white-bellied sea eagles, superb fairy-wrens, sugar gliders, echidnas and tree frogs among the park's wildlife, with wonga wonga vine and smooth-barked apple among its signature plants. Lobster Beach is noted for dolphins and sea eagles.
The park's Aboriginal heritage runs deep. NPWS records more than 100 significant sites, including rock shelters with engravings and art, grinding grooves and middens. The Daleys Point engravings are the most accessible. For a guided perspective, NPWS lists three-hour Aboriginal heritage tours in Bouddi run by Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences; check with the operator for current dates and prices.
Choosing A Walk For Your Group
Young children
Putty Beach to Gerrin Point and back, then a swim at patrolled Killcare Beach.
Older relatives
Marie Byles lookout by car, the Maitland Bay Information Centre displays, and a picnic at Putty Beach. Skip the Maitland Bay stairs.
Keen walkers
The full Bouddi Coastal Walk with a car shuffle, or Mount Bouddi linked to the coastal walk and Maitland Bay track.
Photographers
Box Head for Broken Bay and Lion Island, Gerrin Point over Maitland Bay, and Daleys Point for late light over Brisbane Water.
Why Carinya Coastal Escapes Suits A Bouddi Walking Stay
A walking holiday depends on the base you come back to, and Carinya Coastal Escapes at Daleys Point suits this kind of trip well. The listing describes direct access to Bouddi National Park bushland, and the Daleys Point track, the ridge lookouts and the Putty Beach and Maitland Bay trailheads are all short drives away.
After a day on the tracks, the private water-view balcony is the place to be. It has a four-burner barbecue and outdoor dining for ten, facing west across Brisbane Water for sunset. Inside, the kitchen has granite benchtops, a dishwasher, oven and cooktop, a Thermomix with a family recipe book and a De'Longhi espresso machine for the early start.
There is also a private laundry with a washer and dryer for sandy, sweaty gear, an upstairs bathroom with a deep spa bath for tired legs, and a second bathroom downstairs. The house sleeps up to 10 guests across four bedrooms plus a sofa bed, with onsite parking for three cars, which makes a two-car shuffle for the full Bouddi Coastal Walk easy to organise.
Keep in mind that the home is spread over several levels connected by stairs, including a stairway down to the garage and driveway parking, so it suits groups who are comfortable with steps.
About this stay
Where Carinya Coastal Escapes fits a Bouddi walking stay
Carinya Coastal Escapes sits beside Bouddi National Park bushland at Daleys Point, so the Daleys Point track, Putty Beach, Maitland Bay and Box Head are all a short drive away. After a day on the tracks, the west-facing balcony has a four-burner barbecue and outdoor dining for ten, with sunset over Brisbane Water.
The house sleeps up to 10 guests across four bedrooms plus a sofa bed, with a spa bath, a laundry for sandy gear and parking for three cars, which makes a car shuffle for the full Coastal Walk easy. Up to two pets are welcome by approval, though pets are not permitted in the national park.
Who A Bouddi Walking Stay Suits, And How To Share The Days
A Bouddi stay works especially well for groups where not everyone wants the same day. Keen walkers can leave early for the full coastal walk while others take the short Gerrin Point walk, swim at Killcare and meet everyone back at the house for a barbecue on the balcony.
Families with children have enough short, rewarding tracks for several days, and the patrolled beach at Killcare provides a safer swimming option in season. The upstairs sitting area with a daybed and desk, and the fast Wi-Fi, suit anyone who needs to work for part of the stay.
Carinya Coastal Escapes welcomes up to two pets by approval, but remember that dogs are not allowed anywhere in Bouddi National Park. The house rules also ask guests not to leave pets locked up inside while the property is unattended. So take turns: some walk the park while others stay with the dog.
A Three-Day Bouddi Walking Weekend From Daleys Point
Day One: Settle In And Walk The Ridge
Arrive, unpack and check the NPWS alerts page for the weekend. In the afternoon, walk the Daleys Point track to the engravings and the Brisbane Water lookout. Be back for sunset on the balcony.
Day Two: Putty Beach, Gerrin Point And Maitland Bay
Check the tide times and aim to reach Maitland Bay near low tide. Park at Putty Beach, pay the vehicle fee and walk the first section of the Bouddi Coastal Walk via Gerrin Point to Maitland Bay. Swim or snorkel if conditions are calm, look for the PS Maitland remains, then either walk back or climb the Maitland Bay track to a pre-arranged pick-up at the information centre.
Day Three: Box Head And Broken Bay
Drive to the end of Hawke Head Drive and walk the Box Head track, then add the Flannel Flower track towards Lobster Beach if legs allow. In spring, watch for whales from the heath and flannel flowers beside the track.
Staying longer? Add the full coastal walk or a Mount Bouddi afternoon.
What To Pack And What To Check Before You Go
NPWS recommends sunscreen, a hat, snacks, drinking water and suitable clothing for the Bouddi Coastal Walk, and the same list works for every track here. Add sturdy shoes with grip for the stairs and sandstone, a light windproof layer for the lookouts, and insect repellent for the rainforest gullies around Maitland Bay.
For beach days, bring swimmers, towels, reef shoes for rock platforms and snorkel gear for calm days at Maitland Bay or Lobster Beach.
A small first aid kit, a torch for late walks and a charged phone with Emergency Plus installed complete the kit. Then run through this quick check before you go.
1Park alerts: Check the NPWS alerts page for Bouddi.
2Fees: Confirm the current vehicle entry fee and have a card or the Park'nPay app ready.
3Tides: Plan Maitland Bay and the rock platforms around low tide.
4Patrols: Check Killcare Beach patrol days before relying on a patrolled swim.
5Weather: Check the forecast and fire danger rating.
6Pets: Plan dog care separately, because pets are not permitted in the national park.
Plan Your Bouddi Stay
Bouddi National Park rewards visitors who take it one walk and one beach at a time. With a base on the peninsula, you can choose each morning based on the tide, the wind and the group's energy, and still be back for sunset over Brisbane Water.
NSW National Parks lists the Bouddi Coastal Walk as 8.5 km one way from Putty Beach to MacMasters Beach, taking 3.5 to 4.5 hours at Grade 3. It splits into three shorter sections.
Do you have to pay to enter Bouddi National Park?
Yes, in the Putty Beach area. NPWS listed vehicle entry at $8 per vehicle per day in September 2026, payable at card machines or through the Park'nPay app. Check current fees before you go.
Are dogs allowed in Bouddi National Park?
No. NPWS states that pets and domestic animals, other than certified assistance animals, are not permitted in the park.
How hard is the walk down to Maitland Bay?
The Maitland Bay track from the information centre is 2 km return and Grade 3, but it is quite steep with steps. NPWS estimates 15 to 20 minutes down and 30 to 40 minutes back up. The flatter option is the 3 km coastal walk section from Putty Beach.
Can you see the Maitland shipwreck?
Yes, at low tide. The remains of the PS Maitland, wrecked on 6 May 1898, sit on the rock platform at Bouddi Point at the eastern end of Maitland Bay.
Is Maitland Bay good for swimming and snorkelling?
NPWS lists summer as the best time for swimming and snorkelling at Maitland Bay, which sits inside the protected Marine Extension. The beach is not patrolled and rips can occur, so swim only in calm conditions and never alone.
Which beaches near Bouddi are patrolled?
Killcare Beach is patrolled in season by council lifeguards on weekdays and Killcare Surf Life Saving Club volunteers on weekends and public holidays. The beaches inside Bouddi National Park are not patrolled. Confirm 2026-27 patrol dates with the council or Beachsafe.
When can you see whales from Bouddi?
NPWS says humpback whales pass between May and July and again in September and October, and southern right whales can be seen from late July.
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