Wallarah Coastal Walk

This walk starts at Caves Beach and travels south along the coastline, until reaching the Pinney’s Headland Lookout. There are many opportunities to stop, relax and swim if you would like. You will meander through coastal heath vegetation, which offers abundant wildflowers during springtime. There are spectacular views over the coast and the side trip to Spoon Rocks Spit offers a chance to look back at the attractive coastline. This walk takes you into a seldom visited part of Wallarah Pennisula.

Wallarah Pennisula

Wallarah Penisula, also referred to as the Swansea Pennisula, is surrounded by water and includes the Wallarah National Park. The Wallarah Pennisula stretches from Lake Macquarie in the west to the ocean in the east, from Swansea and Caves Beach in the north to Catherine Hill Bay and Lake Munmorah in the south. Within the Wallarah National Park, there are plenty of things to do, including walking, fishing, swimming and surfing. The coastal views are spectacular, and this is also a good whale watching spot. The Wallarah National Park co-operates with its park neighbours, including Stockland Wallarah Peninsula Pty Ltd, on a wide range of issues relating to the management of the Wallarah Peninsula through a joint management agreement.

Stuart Chalmers Park

Named after a cancer victim, Stuart Chalmers Park is a well established park close to Caves Beach. Stuart Chalmers Park has toilets[2], car parking[3], water, sheltered electric barbeques[4] and picnic tables[5]. The park has easy access to Caves Beach, the cafe Acquablu[6] and the Caves Beach SLSC.

Caves Beach SLSC

The Swansea-Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, south of Newcastle, was founded in 1929. The SLSC looks after Caves Beach, which runs from this southern end of the beach, for 300m to the northern Swansea (Hams) Beach. A road runs the length of the beach, with car parking along much of it. Though Caves Beach faces the south-east, it is afforded a moderate degree of wave protection by reefs in the centre and north and Spoon Rocks to the south-east. More info.

(0km) Cafe Acquablu on Caves Beach → Four way intersection (caves beach)

140 m
3 mins
6m
-2m

Hard track

From Cafe Acquablu[7], this walk leaves the concrete footpath and enters Caves Beach[8], turning to the right. This walk then follows the sandy beach, keeping the ocean on your left, and after about 80m, crosses a small creek[9] and comes to the bottom of timber steps[10].
Continue straight: From the bottom of the timber steps[11] on Caves Beach, this walk follows the steps up[12], leaving the beach behind. This walk continues for about 50m up the concrete and timber steps[13], until coming to a four-way intersection[14] (with uphill concrete steps[15] directly ahead).

(0.14km) Four way intersectin (Caves Beach) → Caves Beach Lookout

120 m
2 mins
1m
-6m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection[16][17], this walk follows the footpath gently uphill[18], while keeping the downhill concrete steps[19] and beach on your left. This walk continues for about 60m until coming to a three-way intersection[20][21] with a concrete footpath on the right.
Veer left: From the intersection[22][23], this walk follows the footpath gently downhill, while keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues for about 50m, undulating gently through coastal vegetation and crossing over a timber footbridge[24], until coming to the circular concrete structure[25] of Caves Beach Lookout[26].

Caves Beach Lookout

The Cave Beach Lookout, on the southern headland of Caves Beach, is easily accessible via wheelchair from the car park nearby. The lookout offers excellent views[27] over the caves of Caves Beach and also to the north and south. There are is a large stone viewing platform[28] on which to sit and enjoy the views.

(0.25km) Caves Beach Lookout → Int of Coastal Walk & Seacliff track

910 m
17 mins
27m
-22m

Hard track

Turn sharp right: From Caves Beach Lookout[29], this walk follows the gravel and grass track gently uphill[30], while keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues, undulating gently through coastal vegetation[31] for about 300m, until coming to Caves Beach Road[32].
Turn left: From the intersection[33][34], this walk follows the track beside Caves Beach Road gently downhill, while keeping the ocean on your left. This walk continues for about 110m, to find the track gently uphill[35][36] and moving away from Caves Beach Road. Then the walk continues for about 100m and passes between a metal posted fence[37]. This walk continues for about 400m, undulating through coastal vegetation[38] with views[39] on the left, until passing over a timber footbridge[40] and coming to a three-way intersection with a concrete footpath[41] on the right.

(1.16km) Int of Coastal Walk & Seacliff track → Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track

280 m
5 mins
6m
-10m

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection[42], this walk follows the bitumen track gently downhill[43], while keeping the concrete footpath on your right. This walk continues for about 120m through coastal vegetation[44] with views[45] of Spoon’s Rocks on the left, to pass through metal posts[46] and onto a sandy track[47]. Then the walk continues for about 160m, until climbing gently[48] up to the land end of Spoon Rocks Spit[49].

Spoon Rocks Beach

Spoon Rocks Beach, south of Caves Beach is a sheltered sandy beach[50]. Spoon Rocks breakwater[51] forms the southern end of the beach and has allowed sedimentation of sand to occur and created this attractive beach[52]. The beach is 300m long, faces north-east and is good for swimming. The Spoon Rocks Beach is worth the walk in to it.

(1.44km) Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track → End of Spoon Rocks Spit

470 m
8 mins
2m
-8m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection[53][54], this walk follows the rocky Spoon Rocks Spit out to its end, while moving directly away from the main coastline. This walk continues to follow the rocky spit (initially keeping to the Spoon Rocks Beach side[55][56] of the spit) for about 500m, until coming to the end of Spoon Rocks Spit[57][58]. This track is rocky and exposed to the ocean. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Spoon Rocks Spit

Spoon Rocks Spit is a wide breakwater[59] extending 500m out into the ocean. This breakwater was originally designed as a coal loading facility to offload coal mined from the nearby Wallarah seam. The rocks were cut from the cliff face below the spit. Over time, the force of the ocean waves have breached the breakwater. Sedimentation from these ocean forces has established a safe and protected swimming and beach[60] area to the north of the spit.

(1.44km) Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track → Int of Coastal Walk & Quarries Track

340 m
7 mins
20m
-3m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[61][62], this walk follows the track gently uphill[63], while leaving Spoon Rocks Spit and the ocean on your left. This walk continues for about 400m (ignoring side tracks[64]) through coastal vegetation and becoming moderately steep uphill[65], until coming to a three-way intersection with a bridged track[66] and ‘Wallarah Peninsula Coastal Walk’ sign[67] on the left.

(1.78km) Int of Coastal Walk AND Quarries Track → Pinneys Viewpoint

990 m
21 mins
36m
-49m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection[68], this walk crosses a footbridge and follows the moderately steep uphill track[69], while passing the ‘Wallarah Peninsula Coastal Walk’ sign[70] on your left. This walk continues for about 140m, then climbs up timber steps[71] to a viewing spot[72] over Spoon Rocks Spit. Then the walk continues for about 20m, to a three-way intersection[73]. This walk turns left, following the arrow marker on a timber post[74]. Then this walk continues for about 400m, as the track undulates gently downhill with views and a metal fence[75] on your left, to pass through a timber fenced opening[76]. The walk then continues moderately steeply downhill[77], initially with a timber fence on your right for about 80m to find blank information signs[78] at Split Rocks Headland. The walk continues gently downhill for about 300m, with a short section of timber boardwalk[79] and views of Pinney’s Beach[80], until coming to a timber viewing platform and Pinney’s Lookout[81].

Pinneys Lookout

Pinney’s Lookout[82] overlooks the northern side of Pinney’s Beach on the Wallarah Peninsula. From this timber platform, the whole of Pinney’s Beach can be seen, including Pinney’s Headland[83] to the south. Some of the timber on this lookout was missing[84] when visited, so take care.

(2.78km) Pinneys Viewpoint → Int of Coastal Walk & Pinneys Beach

180 m
3 mins
0m
-3m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Pinney’s Viewpoint[85], this walk follows the track gently downhill[86], while keeping Pinney’s Beach on your left. This walk continues for about 70m, including one section of timber boardwalk[87], until coming to a T-intersection[88] with a narrow management trail[89] and blank sign on the right.
Turn left: From the intersection[90], this walk follows Pinneys Trail gently downhill[91], while keeping the track with a blank sign on your left[92]. This walk continues for about 100m through coastal vegetation, until crossing Pinney’s Creek via a timber footbridge[93] and coming to a three-way intersection[94], with Pinney’s Beach on the left.

Pinneys Beach

Pinney’s Beach is a good beach for fishing, surfing and swimming. This beach is accessible on foot, via the coastal walk. This beach is not patrolled and rock platforms[95] can be dangerous, even when the seas appear calm. Personal fishing is permitted off all the coast in Wallarah National Park, although a licence is needed. A midden (dated to about 1200 years old), with about 20 stone artefacts, was discovered here in the 1960s, but unfortunately 4WD vehicles have caused erosion to this site. More info.

(2.96km) Int of Coastal Walk AND Pinneys Beach → Int of Coastal Walk AND Wallarah Walk

320 m
5 mins
1m
0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[96][97], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while leaving the bridge and creek on your right. This walk continues for about 160m, passing around a locked gate[98]. Then this walk continues through coastal bush for about 150m, until coming to a three-way intersection[99], with a ‘Coastal Walk’ sign[100].

(3.28km) Int of Coastal Walk & Wallarah Walk → Int of Coastal Walk & Shark Bay Trail

540 m
12 mins
34m
-4m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection[101], this walk follows the ‘Coastal Walk’ sign[102] gently uphill. This walk continues moderately steeply uphill[103] for about 400m, and comes to a three-way intersection[104]. Then this walk tends left, following an arrow marker on a timber post, and after about 40m, comes to a three-way intersection. This walk tends left, following an arrow marker on a timber post, for about 80m, coming to a three-way intersection with the gently downhill Shark Bay trail on the right.

(3.82km) Int of Coastal Walk & Shark Bay Track → Int of Coastal Track & Southern Loop Junction

120 m
2 mins
0m
-5m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection[105], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[106] to the left, while keeping the gently downhill[107] Sharks Bay trail on your right. This walk continues, undulating gently for about 110m, until coming to a three-way intersection[108], with a arrow marker[109] on the left.

(3.94km) Int of Coastal Track & Southern Loop Junction → Int of Coastal Track & Pinneys Lookout

190 m
3 mins
0m
-12m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection[110], this walk turns left on the trail and follows the timber arrow marker gently downhill. This walk continues, undulating gently[111] for about 180m, until coming to a timber fence[112] and Pinney’s Lookout[113] on the left (just as the trail turns right[114]).

Pinney’s Headland Lookout

There are magnificent vistas from Pinney’s Headland Lookout[115], particularly to the north. The headland is accessed on foot via the Wallarah Peninsula coastal walk[116], and the headland itself has a loop walking trail on it. At the southernmost point of this walking loop, there are unfenced rock platforms forming the ocean shoreline – take care. More info.

Maps for the Wallarah Coastal Walk walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Catherine Hill Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	92314S CATHERINE HILL BAY	NSW-92314S
Swansea	1:25 000 Map Series	92314N SWANSEA	NSW-92314N
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Wallarah Coastal Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallarah Coastal Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	8.3 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (40m) is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 880m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.2km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 1.9km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 3.1km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 760m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (280m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Wallarah Coastal Walk walk starts and ends at the Cafe Acquablu on Caves Beach (gps: -33.110225, 151.64631)
Your transport options to Cafe Acquablu on Caves Beach are by;

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Wallarah Coastal Walk

Wallarah Pennisula

Stuart Chalmers Park

Caves Beach SLSC

(0km) Cafe Acquablu on Caves Beach → Four way intersection (caves beach)

Hard track

(0.14km) Four way intersectin (Caves Beach) → Caves Beach Lookout

Moderate track

Caves Beach Lookout

(0.25km) Caves Beach Lookout → Int of Coastal Walk & Seacliff track

Hard track

(1.16km) Int of Coastal Walk & Seacliff track → Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track

Hard track

Spoon Rocks Beach

(1.44km) Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track → End of Spoon Rocks Spit

Hard track

Spoon Rocks Spit

(1.44km) Int of Coastal Walk & Spoon Rocks Track → Int of Coastal Walk & Quarries Track

Moderate track

(1.78km) Int of Coastal Walk AND Quarries Track → Pinneys Viewpoint

Hard track

Pinneys Lookout

(2.78km) Pinneys Viewpoint → Int of Coastal Walk & Pinneys Beach

Moderate track

Pinneys Beach

(2.96km) Int of Coastal Walk AND Pinneys Beach → Int of Coastal Walk AND Wallarah Walk

Moderate track

(3.28km) Int of Coastal Walk & Wallarah Walk → Int of Coastal Walk & Shark Bay Trail

Moderate track

(3.82km) Int of Coastal Walk & Shark Bay Track → Int of Coastal Track & Southern Loop Junction

Moderate track

(3.94km) Int of Coastal Track & Southern Loop Junction → Int of Coastal Track & Pinneys Lookout

Moderate track

Pinney’s Headland Lookout

Maps for the Wallarah Coastal Walk walk

Cross sectional view of the Wallarah Coastal Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallarah Coastal Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

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