Last verified 04/26
The Bouddi Coastal Walk is known as the best coastal walk on the Central Coast and after doing it many times, I completely agree.
The Bouddi Coastal Walk is an 8.5 km one-way track between Macmasters Beach and Putty Beach in Bouddi National Park. It stands out for its uninterrupted ocean views and a string of secluded beaches.
For most of the walk, you don’t see any signs of development. Instead, you find sandstone cliffs, native bush and the Pacific Ocean reaching out to the horizon.
My favourite part is the boardwalk between Maitland Bay and Putty Beach. It runs along the top of the cliff by the ocean, offering clear views of the coastline. This section is also quite flat, so you can pause and enjoy the scenery without worrying about your footing.
Quick Facts – Bouddi Coastal Walk
Key Things to Know Before You Go
Since this is a one-way walk, you’ll need to arrange transport at the other end or leave a second car.
There aren’t any food or drink stops along the track, so bring everything you’ll need for the full walk.
Parts of the track are exposed with little shade, so bring sun protection, especially on warmer days.
Is It Worth Doing?
The Bouddi Coastal Walk always exceeds expectations. The ocean views are uninterrupted for much of the way, and the feeling of being surrounded by bush with no visible development is rare this close to Sydney.
It suits walkers with a moderate level of fitness. The section between Little Beach and Maitland Bay is the most demanding, with steep and uneven ground, while the rest of the walk is manageable.
If you can, do the walk on a weekday. It feels completely different when the track is quiet.
Getting There and Parking
The walk is about 1 hour 30 minutes north of Sydney and 1 hour 45 minutes south of Newcastle via the M1 Pacific Motorway. Exit at Gosford and follow the signs toward Killcare or Macmasters Beach.
If you start at Macmasters Beach, park near the Surf Life Saving Club on Marine Parade. Enter 100 Marine Parade in your GPS. Parking here is free.
If you start at Putty Beach, park at the end of Putty Beach Road in Killcare Heights. Enter 65 Putty Beach Drive in your GPS and drive to the end. Parking costs $8 (national park fees apply).
I suggest starting at Macmasters Beach so you end at Putty Beach, saving the easiest and most scenic part for last. The boardwalk section is a great way to finish.
You’ll need to arrange return transport or a second car at the other end, as the walk is one way.
Visitor Information
The track is well maintained and clearly signposted. You don’t need to carry a map. Just follow the Coastal Walk signs and skip the side trails along the way.
You can also complete the walk in sections if you don’t want to do the full distance. Each section is described below with its own distance and difficulty rating.
Section 1: Macmasters Beach to Little Beach
* Distance: 1.7 km
* Duration: about 30 minutes
* Difficulty: Easy
From Marine Parade in Macmasters Beach, go up the stairs between houses 85 and 87. Follow the path, turn left onto Macmaster Parade, and the track starts at the end of the road.
This part of the walk follows the Mourawaring Moor fire trail, which is wide and easy, with occasional views of the ocean through the trees. It’s a gentle introduction to the rest of the walk.
At the end of the fire trail, the path becomes narrow and drops steeply over uneven ground and boulders down to Little Beach. Take your time going down, as the footing can be tricky.
Little Beach is a small, secluded cove you can’t reach by road. There’s a quiet campground with BBQs and composting toilets. It’s a great place to rest before moving on.
If you’d like to exit or join the walk at Little Beach, a trail leads back to Grahame Drive in Macmasters Beach.
Section 2: Little Beach to Maitland Bay
* Distance: 3.5 km
* Duration: about 1 hour
* Difficulty: Medium to hard
This is the most demanding section of the walk and also one of the most rewarding.
From Little Beach, look for the signpost on the left and follow it onto the Bombi Moor Fire Trail, which goes for 1.2 kilometres. After that, the path gets narrower and more challenging. You’ll head down to Caves Bay, then up and over several headlands and into bays, with lots of ups and downs.
The views along this section are spectacular. The ocean appears constantly through the bush and from the clifftops, and the effort of the climbs is quickly forgotten when you stop to look out to sea.
The section ends at Maitland Bay, a 600-metre isolated beach backed by dense bush with clear water on a calm day. It’s one of the best hidden beaches on the Central Coast and can only be reached on foot or via the Maitland Bay track from The Scenic Road.
At low tide you may be able to spot rusted remains of an old shipwreck on the rocks at the eastern end of the beach. Have a swim before continuing — you’ve earned it.
If you want to exit the walk at Maitland Bay, follow the path to the Maitland Bay Information Centre on The Scenic Road.
Section 3: Maitland Bay to Putty Beach
* Distance: 3 km
* Duration: about 50 minutes
* Difficulty: Easy
This is my favourite section and, in my opinion, the most beautiful part of the walk.
From Maitland Bay, the track climbs up to Gerrin Point Lookout, where you get impressive views over Maitland Bay and the open ocean. On clear days, you can see the tessellated pavement below, which are geometric patterns in the rock made by centuries of erosion, and even Sydney’s skyline far in the distance.
From Gerrin Point the path passes the small and isolated Bullimah Beach, which you can access via a short side trail, before joining the elevated boardwalk that follows the cliff edge all the way toward Putty Beach.
This boardwalk is the best part of the walk. It sits above the ocean, is mostly flat, and gives you open views. There’s nothing between you and the horizon, so walk slowly and enjoy every moment.
The walk ends at Putty Beach, a calm, sheltered spot with a campground and toilets behind the sand. Go for a swim here—the water is usually calm and clear.
What to Bring
- Water: drinking water is available at Macmasters Beach and Putty Beach, but carry enough for the full walk
- Swimmers and a towel: Little Beach, Maitland Bay, and Putty Beach are all great for a swim.
- Sunscreen and a hat: exposed sections offer no shade
- Sturdy footwear: trail shoes or walking boots for the uneven terrain in section 2
- Snacks or a picnic: there are no food options on the track itself
- Cash or card for parking at Putty Beach ($8)
Facilities
Macmasters Beach: Public toilets, drinking water, BBQ facilities, free parking near the surf club.
Little Beach: Composting toilet and BBQ facilities. There’s no running water, so bring your own.
Maitland Bay: There are no facilities at the beach itself. Toilets are available at the Maitland Bay Information Centre if you leave the walk here.
Putty Beach: Public toilets, drinking water, campground with facilities, paid parking ($8).
Nearby Cafes After the Walk
After 8.5 kilometres, you’ll be ready for a good coffee and a meal.
If you finish at Putty Beach, the nearest places to eat are in Killcare and Hardys Bay, just a short drive along Araluen Drive. Hardy’s Bistro at 54 Araluen Drive is a local favourite for breakfast and lunch, with views over Brisbane Water.
If you finish at Macmasters Beach, Macs Beach Cafe is a nice place for coffee and food, with views of the beach.
What to Do Nearby
You can combine this walk with other nearby spots:
- Swim at Maitland Bay
- Visit Killcare and Hardys Bay
- Relax at Macmasters Beach
Discover More Nearby
Little Beach
A small bay reached by a short bushwalk, popular for picnics and camping.
Putty Beach
A beautiful beach known for camping and coastal walks.
Lobster Beach
A secluded beach on Broken Bay, best explored by walking track.
Bouddi National Park walks
Discover scenic coastal walks through Bouddi National Park.
Tallow Beach
A secluded beach reached by a steep bushwalk through Bouddi National Park.
Maitland Bay
A secluded beach known for its natural beauty and bushwalk access.