Last verified 05/26
Bouddi National Park has some of my favourite walks on the Central Coast.
Bouddi is compact, easy to reach and simple to explore. Many tracks connect, so you can choose a short walk or combine several into a longer hike. Most lead to ocean views, clifftop lookouts or beaches you can’t reach by car.
You can enjoy the park in a couple of hours or spend half a day exploring.
I’ve walked these tracks many times with my family. These are my picks for the best walks in Bouddi National Park.
Quick Picks
- Best walk overall: Bouddi Coastal Walk
- Best walk for families: Little Beach Trail
- Best loop walk: Mount Bouddi walk
Map: Bouddi National Park Walking Tracks
1. Bouddi Coastal Walk
The Bouddi Coastal Walk is one of the best walks on the Central Coast. The 8km track follows the coast between Putty Beach and Macmasters Beach, with clifftop boardwalks, ocean views and secluded beaches. You can walk the full track or choose a shorter section. Between May and November, keep an eye out for migrating whales.
- Distance: 8km one way
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: End of Putty Beach Road, Killcare Heights, or end of Macmaster Parade, Macmasters Beach
2. Maitland Bay Track
The Maitland Bay Track is the shortest way to reach secluded Maitland Bay. The track descends through rainforest gullies and down a series of well-maintained steps to the beach. It takes about 20 minutes to walk down, but allow closer to 50 minutes for the return walk.
- Distance: 2km return
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: 174 The Scenic Rd, Bouddi
3. Mount Bouddi Walking Track
The Mount Bouddi Track is a quiet, shady walk with more bush and fewer people. The track descends through dense forest before opening into grass trees and burrawangs. As you near Maitland Bay, you’ll hear the ocean and catch views through the trees. For a longer loop, return via the Maitland Bay Track.
- Distance: 3.2km return
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: End of Mount Bouddi Road, Bouddi
4. Bullimah Spur Track
This short walk gives you some of the best views in Bouddi National Park with little effort. The track passes through angophora trees and cycads to a large rock lookout over Maitland Bay and Putty Beach. There’s no fence, so watch young children. An unmarked track also connects the lookout to the Bouddi Coastal Walk.
- Distance: 2km return
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: 174 The Scenic Rd, Bouddi
5. Little Beach Trail
The Little Beach Trail is the easiest walk in Bouddi and a great choice for families with young children. The gentle track passes through rainforest to secluded Little Beach. All-terrain prams can manage most of the trail. With a campground, barbecues and toilets by the beach, it’s a lovely spot for a family picnic.
- Distance: 1.5km return
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Grahame Drive, Macmasters Beach
6. Box Head Walking Track
The Box Head Walking Track leads to a clifftop lookout with sweeping views over Broken Bay, Palm Beach, Lion Island and the Hawkesbury River. The trail passes through open heath before reaching the tip of the headland. This part of Bouddi National Park feels different from the rest of the park, with fewer trees and wide coastal views.
- Distance: 3km return
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: End of Hawke Head Drive, Killcare
7. Flannel Flower Walking Track
The Flannel Flower Walking Track is one of the best places to see flannel flowers on the Central Coast, especially in spring. The trail also offers views over Pearl Beach and Ocean Beach before finishing at secluded Lobster Beach on Broken Bay. It’s a lovely walk when the flowers are in bloom.
- Distance: 2.4km return
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: End of Hawke Head Drive, Killcare
8. Tallow Beach Track
The Tallow Beach Track is a steep walk down to one of the most isolated beaches in Bouddi National Park. You’ll get great views of the beach and sandstone cliffs as you descend. It’s popular with surfers and mountain bikers and is often very quiet. Strong rips can occur, so take care if swimming.
- Distance: 2.4km return
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: End of Hawke Head Drive, Killcare
9. Allen Strom Lookout
This easy, flat walk passes through dry woodland to a lookout over Hardys Bay. The lookout is the highlight, with sweeping views across the bay and sailing boats moored below. It’s a good low-effort walk for older children, and you can also ride the trail on a mountain bike.
- Distance: 2km return
- Duration: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Wards Hill Road, cnr Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare Heights
10. Daleys Point Trail
The Daleys Point Trail leads to a well-preserved Aboriginal engraving site with more than 20 carvings, including whales, fish and human figures. The large whale engravings are the highlight. The trail follows a management track through dry woodland and also offers views over Brisbane Water. You can walk or mountain bike the trail.
- Distance: 3.4km return
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: Wards Hill Road, cnr Maitland Bay Drive, Killcare Heights
Practical Information
Parking and access: Most car parks in Bouddi National Park are free. The only paid carpark is at Putty Beach ($8 per day, payable on arrival or via the NSW Park’nPay app).
Best time to visit: The walks are good year round but Spring and Autumn are most comfortable. Summer can be hot and exposed on the management trails. Winter brings whale watching from Gerrin Point Lookout between May and November.
Dogs: Dogs are not permitted in Bouddi National Park.
Camping: Three campgrounds operate in the park – Putty Beach (drive-in), Little Beach (walk-in 700m) and Tallow Beach (walk-in 1.2km steep trail). All require booking through NSW National Parks.
Where to eat afterwards: Hardys Bistro at Hardys Bay is about 5 minutes from the Killcare carparks. Macs Beach Cafe is at Macmasters Beach. Killcare Beach has a kiosk at the surf club.
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