BushwalkBushwalk
2 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min
| Start | (-33.1102789,151.6463063) |
| Mode | Bus Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Directions | From Pacific Highway, A43
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| Finish | (-33.1137147,151.6139985) |
| Mode (end) | Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.) |
| Turn map | Directions & comments |
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Stuart Chalmers Park (about 70 m back from the start).
 Named after a cancer victim, Stuart Chalmers Park is a well established park close to Caves Beach. Stuart Chalmers Park has toilets, car parking, water, sheltered electric barbeques and picnic tables. The park has easy access to Caves Beach, the cafe Acquablu and the Caves Beach SLSC.
Caves Beach SLSC (about 30 m back from the start).
 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.
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After another 70 m find the "Caves Beach Lookout" (on your left).
 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 over the caves of Caves Beach and also to the north and south. There are is a large stone viewing platform on which to sit and enjoy the views.
After another 60 m find the "Caves at Caves Beach" (50 m on your left).
 Caves Beach derives its name from the sea caves in the headland at it's southern end. The caves are only accessible at low tide. It is best to ask at the Caves Beach SLSC for local advice before attempting to visit the caves. The caves are roughly broken into two halves, with somewhat easier access to the first section of caves, while access to the second section (further to the south) is certainly restricted to low tide and light conditions. Allow time to return before the tide changes. These caves are pleasantly cool on a hot day and offer plenty of exploring potential.
After another 60 m find the "Wallarah Pennisula" (30 m on your right).
 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.
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After another 180 m find the "Spoon Rocks Beach" (85 m on your left).
 Spoon Rocks Beach, south of Caves Beach is a sheltered sandy beach. Spoon Rocks breakwater forms the southern end of the beach and has allowed sedimentation of sand to occur and created this attractive beach. The beach is 300m long, faces north-east and is good for swimming. The Spoon Rocks Beach is worth the walk in to it.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to End of Spoon Rocks Spit. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
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After another 50 m find the "Pinneys Lookout" (6 m on your left).
 Pinney's Lookout 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 to the south. Some of the timber on this lookout was missing when visited, so take care.
After another 10 m find the "Pinneys Beach" (145 m on your left).
 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 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.
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Int of Coastal Track & Pinneys Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
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After another 15 m (at the intersection of Jetty Point Drive & Lake Forest Drive) continue straight, to head along Jetty Point Drive (a residential road).
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The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to The Lake House Cafe. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 50 m (at the intersection of Shoreside Row & Jetty Point Drive) continue straight (a walking track).
After another 80 m find the "Murrays Beach" (60 m on your right).
 Murrays Beach is an idyllic residential development. Recently developed with the environment as a core philosophy, the developer, Stockland Murray Beach was awarded the Residential Lifestyle Development of the Year, 2008, by the HIA. Murrays Beach has a vibrant village green, jetty, kiosk, foreshore picnic area, children's playground, barbeque's and bush walking trails. With its magnificent natural setting and tasteful facilities a trip to Murrays Beach is well worth a visit.
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About 60 m past the end is "Murrays Beach Picnic Area".
 The Murrays Beach Picnic Area on the shores of Lake Macquarie provide a picturesque spot for picnics with family and friends. There are well maintained grasslands amongst open forest with a public jetty, a kiosk, a toilet, water, a children's playground and picnic tables. The kiosk is open 11am till 4pm on weekends, otherwise the Lake House Cafe can be used. Excellent easy walks are available to the north and south along the lake foreshore.
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Class 4/6 Hard track |
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| Length | 7.9 km |
| Time | 2 h 45 min to 3 h 30 min |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) |
| Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Signage | Minimal directional signs (4/6) |
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) |
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) |
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There is water tap (about 10 m back from the start).
After 105 m cross the ford.
Then head up the steps (about 15 m long)
After another 15 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 6 m long)
After another 10 m head through/around the gate.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 460 m to the main route.
