10 Best hikes and trails in Bouddi National Park

Best trails in Bouddi National Park

4.4(3,873 reviews)

Australia
:
#47 of 638 national parks

Bouddi National Park is located in the Central Coast region of New South Wales on Guringai land. Its landscape consists of beautiful white sand beaches, heath, Eucalyptus forest and grassy woodland. It is thus a great place to hike, camp, fish, swim and snorkel. Wildlife that can be found includes microbats, greater gliders, lace monitors, green tree snakes, water dragons and over 150 species of birds.

There are extensive facilities at many of the trailheads.

Top trails

#1 - Bouddi Coastal Walk

This is an incredible coastal walk within reach of Sydney along the central coast. This route can be done in either direction, but most people follow the route shown here. It can also be a point-to-point trail if you leave a car or find a ride from MacMasters Beach. From Putty Beach, head down along the coast towards Bullimah Beach and Gerrin Point, lookout where sweeping views beg for a quick photo stop. Continue along the coast past a cave and onto the idyllic sands of Maitland Bay beach...

#2 - Putty Beach to Maitland Bay

The Putty Beach to Maitland Bay trail is a beautiful journey that showcases the coastline's stunning natural beauty. The trail begins with a sandy path leading to Putty Beach. As you progress, you'll navigate wooden steps and a gravel path that winds through lush bushland. The trail features beautifully colored sands. A highlight is the wooden boardwalk, perched atop the cliffs and providing sweeping ocean views as you stroll along the coastline.

#3 - Bouddi Coastal Walk: Little Beach to Putty Beach

Explore the breathtaking Bouddi National Park in New South Wales. The Bouddi Coastal Walk is conveniently located near Sydney and can be completed in a day trip. This point-to-point walk starts at the end of Beachview Esplanade in Macmasters Beach and concludes at the Putty Beach Camping and Picnic Area. While the trail is typically traversed in the opposite direction from Putty Beach, it can also be followed as indicated here. Don't forget to pack your swimming gear for a dip in Maitland!

#4 - Maitland Bay and Mount Bouddi Loop

Starting near the Maitland Bay Information Centre, where there is a large car park on Scenic Road then take the Allen Strom Trail to Dingledi picnic area, this could be an alternate trailhead. Then follow Mount Boudi Track to Maitland Bay From this vantage point there are views across the South Pacific Ocean to Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands. Then walk along the beach and return to car park via Maitland Bay Track. Although the track is quite steep in places with lots of steps, it's a...

#5 - Gerrin Point Lookout and Bullimah Outlook

4.7(218)

•Moderate

•2.7 mi

This scenic circuit in Bouddi National Park combines views over Maitland Bay with a stop at the beach. Take the sign-posted track off the Maitland Bay Track to Bullimah Outlook. Continue past the rocky lookout on a narrow bush track, which descends the ridge to join the Bouddi Coastal Track. Turn left and follow the Coastal Track to the junction with the Maitland Bay Track. Turn right for Maitland Bay or left to return to the car park.

#6 - Bouddi Coastal Walk to Mount Bouddi Track

This scenic coastal walk stretches along the shores of Bouddi National Park and culminates with a trip to the summit of Mount Bouddi. Begin the walk from Putty Beach and pay the parking fee for access to the National Park. You are immediately treated to fantastic ocean views, incredible rock formations (the tessellated pavement) and a beautiful bushland setting. Keep your eyes open for wildlife like bush turkeys, hawks, finches, and goanna. This walk is an absolute must on the central coast.

#7 - Pretty Beach to Box Head

A lovely trail through the scenic Bouddi National Park, located in the Central Coast Region of New South Wales. The trail begins from Turo Reserve in Pretty Beach. The trail itself covers a variety of terrain including concrete paths, steps, dirt tracks and some rock hopping. Enjoy the beautiful views and stunning flora on your way out to Box Head and back again.

This walk delivers one of the biggest rewards for the least effort, ending with spectacular panoramic views. From the lookout, you can see south across the mouth of the Hawkesbury River to Pittwater and Barrenjoey Headland. It's an easy, mostly flat walk following a fire trail through the bush. This is a fantastic coastal bushwalk for any time of year, with different things to see each season. The lookout is an excellent spot for whale watching, with the humpback migration occurring between...

#9 - Box Head and Tallow Beach

4.5(125)

•Hard

•3.1 mi

An enjoyable and adventurous walk exploring the beautiful Box Head on the east coast of NSW, not too far from Gosford. There are lots of lovely lookouts along the way with stunning views of the coastline. Expect some places where the trail isn't well marked and a few steep bits with the potential for being slippery after rain. Descending from Box Head and traversing the rocky shore is best timed with low-tide - if the tide is high it's recommended to return via the Box Head trail and take the...

#10 - Tessellated Pavement from Putty Beach Camping Area

A great short walk in Bouddi National Park, on the central coast of NSW. The trail begins from the Putty Beach Camping area, where parking and picnic facilities are available. A lovely mix of single track beach, boardwalk and surfaced tracks. The highlight is the interesting rock formations of the Tesselate Pavement. Well worth a visit, especially to take photos.

Showing results 1–10 of 42

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Trail reviews for Bouddi National Park

4,992 trailgoers Busiest in January

Sid Ni

Jun 7, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

This short loop hike starts and ends at the Little Beach car park. I did it anti-clockwise initially climbing up the Old Quarry trail and then exploring the 3 spurs out to the cliffs before descending down towards Little Beach. The extensive views from the clifftops are uplifting and well worth the climb down to the ends of the spurs and back up to join the main trail (Bouddi Coastal Walk). Highly recommended!

Parking: Free

Third Point Trail via 78 and 81 Trails

Matt Ryan

Jun 16, 2025•Hiking

Bouddi Coastal walk. Awesome

Putty Beach to Gerrin Point Lookout

Elizabeth Weir

Feb 23, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

I love the Bouddi NP coastal trail so it was a treat to find these additional loops. It’s a bit of a scramble up to the Bullimah lookout (approaching from the Putty Beach end), but very well worth it!

Mourawaring Point via Bouddi Coastal Walk and Stroms Trail

Mandy A

Feb 15, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Excellent trail. Lots of steps, up and down, so not an easy track. Fabulous coastal views. Very impressed with the Bouddi Coastal Walk - a great walking day out!

Difficulty: Hard

Bouddi Coastal Walk

TylerStar101 TM

Feb 11, 2025

Didn't do the full Loop, stopped at the bouddi viewpoint, absolutely incredible views, and when we reached the lookout natures aircon was turned to full blast which was a nice reward in the 30c weather

Maitland Bay and Mount Bouddi Loop

Sarah Molina

Jan 10, 2025

Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful hike up Mount Bouddi. Loved the gum trees along the way and at the top of Mount Bouddi especially. Just magical.

Bouddi Coastal Walk to Mount Bouddi Track

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Bouddi National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Bouddi National Park is Bouddi Coastal Walk, which has a 4.6 star rating from 568 reviews. This trail is 8.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,486 ft.

What is the longest trail in Bouddi National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Bouddi National Park is Bouddi Extended Circuit. This trail is estimated to be 18.4 mi long.

How many trails are in Bouddi National Park?

There are 42 trails in Bouddi National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 3,873 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Bouddi National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Bouddi National Park has you covered. Bouddi Extended Circuit boasts the most elevation gain with 2,870 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Mourawaring Point via Bouddi Coastal Walk and Stroms Trail, which will get you 2,378 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Bouddi National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 8 camping trails in Bouddi National Park and the most popular is Bouddi Coastal Walk with an average 4.6 star rating from 568 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Bouddi National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 13 running trails in Bouddi National Park and the most popular is Maitland Bay and Mount Bouddi Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 242 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Bouddi National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 biking trails in Bouddi National Park and the most popular is Daleys Ridge Circuit via Daleys Point Trail and Rocky Point Trail with an average 4.4 star rating from 133 community reviews.