Wyrrabalong National Park has some of the best short walks on the Central Coast. But there’s one thing to know before you go: the park is split into two sections.
The southern section sits between Forresters Beach and Bateau Bay. That’s where you’ll find the Coast walking track and Crackneck Point lookout.
The northern section, past The Entrance near Magenta, feels completely different. The Lillypilly Loop and Red Gum trails wind through rainforest and coastal forest near Tuggerah Lake.
I’ve walked all three, and each one offers something different.
If you want ocean views, choose the Coast walking track. If you’d like rainforest and a quieter bushwalk, I’d choose the Lillypilly Loop. The Red Gum trail is a good option for forest and views towards Tuggerah Lake.
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Wyrrabalong walks at a glance
1. The Coast Walking Track
If you only have time for one walk in Wyrrabalong National Park, choose this one.
The Coast walking track follows the clifftops between Forresters Beach and Bateau Bay for about 3 km.
For much of the walk, you’re up on the headlands with the ocean in view. You pass through coastal forest and open clearings. Lookouts give you wide views along the coast.
The track is Grade 3, with plenty of steps and some short steep sections. It won’t be a flat stroll, but you don’t need bushwalking experience.
You can walk the full 3 km one way. You can also return the same way for a walk of about 6 km, or do a shorter section.
Crackneck Point Lookout
Crackneck Point lookout is roughly in the middle of the Coast walking track. It’s one of the highlights.
It’s a wide, grassy lookout with big coastal views. There’s plenty of space to stop for a picnic or just sit and enjoy the scenery.
It’s also one of the best-known whale-watching spots on the Central Coast.
During one of our walks, we spotted whales from here.
If you visit during the northern whale migration, especially from around May to August, bring binoculars. Even if you don’t see a whale, the view alone is worth the visit.
There’s a carpark at Crackneck Point. You can start a shorter walk from here instead of doing the whole track.
From Crackneck, the track continues north for about 2 km to Bateau Bay Beach. Or you can head south towards Forresters Beach.
Walking towards Bateau Bay
From the lookout, the track slowly drops down towards Bateau Bay Beach.
This part of the park is a narrow strip of bushland between the ocean and Bateau Bay.
The beach is a good place to stop at the end.
Kids often enjoy exploring the rocks and rock pools.
Where to park for the Coast walking track
You can start from several points.
Bateau Bay: Start from Bateau Bay Beach picnic area on Reserve Drive.
Forresters Beach: You can reach the southern end from the Forresters Beach side of the park.
Crackneck Point lookout: Follow Hilltop Street in Bateau Bay to the lookout carpark. This is the easiest option if you only want to walk part of the track.
2. Lillypilly Loop Trail
The Lillypilly Loop is completely different from the Coast walking track.
Instead of clifftops and ocean views, you walk a 3.5 km loop through the largest remaining stand of littoral rainforest on the Central Coast.
You’ll see cabbage tree palms, tuckeroos, corkwoods, vines and dense bush.
As you move away from Wilfred Barrett Drive, the road noise fades. The walk becomes much more peaceful.
Eventually the trail leads to the wetlands beside Tuggerah Lake.
I found this the prettiest part of the walk.
If you don’t want to do the full loop, the lake section is still worth exploring. It’s a good option if you want a shorter bushwalk.
The official rating is Grade 3. The southern end starts with a steep uphill section of about 300 metres. There are also tree roots and some slippery surfaces along the way.
Wildlife on Lillypilly Loop
This is a good walk if you enjoy birdlife.
We saw a bush turkey when we walked here. The dense bush makes this part of the park feel more enclosed and wild than the Coast walking track.
Keep an eye on the trees and wetlands as you walk. Plenty of birds and butterflies live here.
Parking for Lillypilly Loop
The trail starts from Wilfred Barrett Drive in the northern section of the park.
Travelling north from The Entrance, continue along Wilfred Barrett Drive for about 7 km. The small parking area is on the left, around 1.5 km past Magenta Shores Golf Course.
It’s easy to miss, so watch for it as you approach.
3. Red Gum Trail
Red Gum trail is another good option in the northern section of the park.
The 3.4 km loop passes through coastal forest of mostly Sydney red gums, with banksias and other native plants.
The feel is quite different from Lillypilly.
Lillypilly feels lush and rainforest-like. Red Gum feels more open and distinctly Australian, with large twisting gums and sandy sections of track.
One highlight is the Red Gum trail lookout. You get views towards Tuggerah Lake and Toukley.
There are no steps on this trail, but one part of the loop has a fairly steep uphill section. Tree roots and slippery surfaces can make parts of the track uneven.
It’s officially Grade 3.
Parking for Red Gum Trail
Red Gum trail starts from Burrawang picnic area on Wilfred Barrett Drive.
From The Entrance, travel north for about 7.5 km. The small carpark is on the left.
You can also link Red Gum with the Lillypilly Loop for a longer walk.
Which Wyrrabalong walk should you choose?
For a first visit, I’d choose the Coast walking track.
It has the most dramatic scenery and some of the best coastal views in the park. You can also shorten the walk easily at Crackneck Point lookout.
Choose Lillypilly Loop if you prefer rainforest, birdlife and a quieter bush setting.
Choose Red Gum trail if you enjoy native forest and want views towards Tuggerah Lake.
Walking in Wyrrabalong with kids
The walks can work well with older children who are comfortable walking for more than an hour. But all three are officially Grade 3 tracks.
The Coast walking track has many steps and short steep sections.
Lillypilly has a steep section near the start and some uneven surfaces that can be slippery.
Red Gum has no steps, but it has tree roots and a steep section on part of the loop.
For an easier family outing, drive to Crackneck Point lookout. Walk a short section of the Coast track, then return.
When our kids were small, I liked the shorter section of Lillypilly towards Tuggerah Lake. We didn’t feel we had to finish the whole loop.
Whale watching at Wyrrabalong National Park
Crackneck Point lookout is one of the Central Coast’s best-known whale-watching spots.
You can often see whales heading north from the headland during the winter migration.
The lookout has a big, open view of the ocean.
You can combine whale watching with a short section of the Coast walking track, or drive straight to the lookout.
Pelican Beach
If you’re exploring the northern part of the park, Pelican Beach is nearby.
It feels far less developed than many Central Coast beaches. It makes a good addition to a walk through Lillypilly or Red Gum.
Keep in mind that the beach is unpatrolled and can have strong rips and currents.
Before you go
Conditions in national parks can change because of weather, track works, fire risk and temporary closures.
Before you head out, check the current alerts for Wyrrabalong National Park on the NSW National Parks website.
Take drinking water, sun protection and suitable walking shoes. I had no issues with mobile reception.
Dogs aren’t allowed in the park.
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