A great walk along the beach and rocky shoreline near Bateau Bay. The unnamed, rocky beach below Crackneck Lookout is a beautiful spot and there are plenty of interesting shapes and textures in the rocks and rockshelf along the way. There is a bit of rockhopping, but much less than when approaching 'Crackneck' beach from the south. Parts of the walk are very exposed to the ocean and should not be attempted at high tides or during high seas. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darkinjung & Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Views along Bateau Bay beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.The stairs down to the beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.Stormwater outflow. | Photo by admin, 2009.Beach scenery. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nice rock edge along the beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.Nice beach walking. | Photo by admin, 2009.A small patch of Mangroves. | Photo by admin, 2009.Sandy track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Shapes in the rock. | Photo by admin, 2009.Looking for waves. | Photo by admin, 2009.Texture and salt crust on the rocks. | Photo by admin, 2009.Rockshelf. | Photo by admin, 2009.Narrow rocky shoreline. | Photo by admin, 2009.On Crackneck beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.The beach below Crackneck lookout. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Warning This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills. Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 3.6 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 710 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 1.6 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Enterence Road, A49 and drive for another 100 m
Continue onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 870 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 2 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 540 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto The Entrance Road, A49 and drive for another 340 m
Turn right onto Bateau Bay Road and drive for another 1.3 km
Turn right onto Harbour Street and drive for another 170 m
Turn left onto Reserve Drive and drive for another 60 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the intersection, this walk goes down the timber steps, towards the beach. The walk follows the boardwalk and timber steps down the hill until reaching Bateau Bay Beach.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout (about 25 m back from the start).
Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout
Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout
This unnamed picnic area and lookout is within Wyrrabalong National Park, at the intersection of Reserve Dr and Harbour St, Bateau Bay. The picnic area overlooks Bateau Bay and the beach. There are large grass areas, plenty of shade and facilities including picnic tables, garbage bins, and beach access steps. There are beautiful views along the coast and out to sea from the picnic area. There are free electric BBQs at Sutton Reserve, a block further south along Reserve Drive. Takeaway food is available at a small shopping centre near the intersection of Harbour St and Bateau Bay Rd, one block from the picnic area.
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This unnamed picnic area and lookout is within Wyrrabalong National Park, at the intersection of Reserve Dr and Harbour St, Bateau Bay. The picnic area overlooks Bateau Bay and the beach. There are large grass areas, plenty of shade and facilities including picnic tables, garbage bins, and beach access steps. There are beautiful views along the coast and out to sea from the picnic area. There are free electric BBQs at Sutton Reserve, a block further south along Reserve Drive. Takeaway food is available at a small shopping centre near the intersection of Harbour St and Bateau Bay Rd, one block from the picnic area.
After another 370 m turn left.
Continue another 1.3 km to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.7 km to get back to the start.
"Crackneck Beach".
Crackneck Beach
Crackneck Beach
This unnamed beach is below Crackneck Lookout and can be reached with some difficulty by walking along the very rocky shoreline from Forresters Beach, to the south, or from Bateau Bay beach, to the north. The beach is covered in rounded rocks about the size of a fist.
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This unnamed beach is below Crackneck Lookout and can be reached with some difficulty by walking along the very rocky shoreline from Forresters Beach, to the south, or from Bateau Bay beach, to the north. The beach is covered in rounded rocks about the size of a fist.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Bateau Bay Beach to Crackneck Beach
Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length
3.3 km
Time
1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min
Quality of track
Rough unclear track (5/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
Bushwalk
1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min
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Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout (about 25 m back from the start).
