A good walk deserves a long leisurely brunch so we walked a section of the spectacular Bouddi National Park coastal track from Putty Beach, Killcare, to Maitland Bay, Killcare Heights, before heading down the road to beautiful Hardys Bay for breakfast at Hardy’s Bistro.
The Walk
The full Bouddi Coastal Walk is just over 8km one way and takes about 5 hours. Who has that much time to spare on a busy Saturday morning? The section we did takes a couple of hours depending on how often you stop to look at the beautiful views. We did a car shuffle, parking one car in the Maitland Bay Car Park on Scenic Road at Killcare Heights and then we piled into the other car and headed down the road toward Hard’s Bay. We turned left at the big Bouddi National Park sign, and followed the road to the very end of Putty Beach camping area. We started our walk at the northern end of the beach and ended it back at the top where we’d parked the car earlier. We collected the second car from Putty Beach later after breakfast. If you wanted to take just one car, it’s simply a matter of retracing your steps.
The degree of difficulty
This track is not a walk in the park- but neither is it an ultra-marathon. There are flat bits and hilly bits and steps here and there. By far the most challenging section of the entire walk comes at the end when you have to walk the steep path back up to the Maitland Bay car park. It’s up-hill for around 15-20 minutes (unless you’re a fitness nut) and you will definitely get your heart rate up.
Natural wonders
Before you start your walk, it’s definitely worth having a look at the rock platform at the northern end of Putty Beach. We got there for the sunrise which is always amazing, but if that kind of early start is not your cup of tea, still have a look at the spectacular rock formations there. The area is noted for its incredible beauty and unique geology. Minerals and weathering processes have created natural sculptures and formations that are as amazing as they are unusual. As you walk on along the coast, you will see more of these unusual colours, shapes and formations including Leisagang rings and tessellated pavements . Read more here
The views
This walk has so many wonderful views – a breathtaking vista around every corner. Sheer cliffs rise above while the ocean crashes on the rocks below. Boardwalks lead you right beside these cliffs from where you can see up and down the coast. The Gerrin Point Lookout marks about half way and has a viewing platform. From there you can look north to Maitland Bay which was named after a terrible shipwreck in 1898 which killed 27 people. The survivors of the wreck of the PS Maitland were washed ashore at the beach you can see far below. Here’s a postcard we made about that wreck earlier this year. Read more about the wreck.
The bush
The path strays inland away from the coast at different points where you’ll see ever changing types of vegetation and forest. Depending on the time of year there’ll be wildflowers as well. The last part of our journey up the steps to the car park is through tall eucalypt forest and every so often you will pass magnificent angophora tree’s twisted and gnarled into wonderful shapes with their distinctive salmon pink bark.
The brunch
After the early start and all the walking, we were more than ready for breakfast. We headed down Scenic Road to Hardy’s Bay, a lovely village on the shores of Brisbane Water with magnificent views to The Rip Bridge. It’s one the Central Coast’s prettiest spots. There are some pretty good eateries there – including The Fat Goose where we’ve eaten before many times. This day we opt for Hardy’s Bistro in the historic Killcare Store for the cool breeze and the view across the road to the bay. Our breakfast included coffees, mixed berry smoothie, pancakes with caramelised banana and maple syrup and poached eggs on toast with avocado. All great, and all guilt free thanks to the walk.
The Location
The NSW Central Coast lies between Sydney (about two hours) and Newcastle (about 1.5 hours). The popular holiday destination is noted for its fantastic beaches and its beautiful natural areas – including Bouddi National Park which was one of the first national parks established in the state. Killcare and Killcare Heights adjoin the park looking over the ocean while Hardy’s Bay is on Brisbane Water estuary – not far from where it opens to the sea.
