Bateau Bay Picnic Area to Crackneck Lookout

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-33.3820128,151.4840427)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From The Entrance Road, A49 Turn on to Bateau Bay Road then drive for 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
Finish	(-33.3940339,151.4829664)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
Starting from the track intersection beside the beach access steps, this walk follows the faint track a very short distance across the picnic area, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. The walk soon arrives at some seats and an open viewing area, to the left, with stunning views across the water.
From the viewpoint, this walk goes south across the picnic area, keeping Reserve Dr to the right. The walk passes a fenced viewing area just before reaching an intersection at the end of the picnic area, with a concrete beach-access track to the left.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 65 m find the "Bateau Bay Beach picnic area and lookout" (on your left). 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. After another 15 m pass a seat (10 m on your left). After another 175 m head into the park. After another 70 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right). After another 25 m find the "Southern Bateau Bay beach picnic area" (9 m on your right). Southern Bateau Bay beach picnic area This picnic area, near the intersection of Reserve Dr and Rushby St, Bateau Bay, overlooks the southern end of Bateau Bay and the beach. The facilities include toilets, picnic tables, garbage bins and some slides for the kids. There are great views along the coast and out to sea. There is plenty of shade.
	After another 4 m continue straight.
	After another 370 m veer left, to head along The Coast Track. After another 115 m pass a seat (6 m on your left).
	After another 135 m turn left, to head along The Coast Track.
	After another 235 m veer left, to head along The Coast Track. After another 330 m head into the park.
	After another 45 m come to the end. A picnic table. About 15 m past the end is a seat. About 20 m past the end is "Crackneck Lookout". Crackneck Lookout This lookout, at the end of Hilltop St, Bateau Bay, has stunning views up and down the coastline, and out to sea. There are picnic tables and an information board about marine mammals. There is a hangliding launch spot beside the lookout. About 40 m past the end is a seat. About 45 m past the end is a sign.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bateau Bay Picnic Area to Crackneck Lookout

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	1.6 km
Time	40 min to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There is one 325 m from the start.

Seat: There are 4 on route, on average they are 350 m apart with the largest gap of 830 m.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	85 m	[seat]
Toilet	325 m	[toilet]
Seat	840 m	[seat]
Seat	1.7 km	[seat]
Seat	1.7 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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.

Southern Bateau Bay beach picnic area
This picnic area, near the intersection of Reserve Dr and Rushby St, Bateau Bay, overlooks the southern end of Bateau Bay and the beach. The facilities include toilets, picnic tables, garbage bins and some slides for the kids. There are great views along the coast and out to sea. There is plenty of shade.

Crackneck Lookout
This lookout, at the end of Hilltop St, Bateau Bay, has stunning views up and down the coastline, and out to sea. There are picnic tables and an information board about marine mammals. There is a hangliding launch spot beside the lookout.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- The Entrance Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
  
  Wednesday 21 May
  
  21°C
  Showers.
  90% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. Heavy falls possible. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the late evening. Daytime maximum temperatures between 15 and 19.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:30am to 1:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Thursday 22 May
  
  15°C → 21°C
  Rain.
  95% chance of rain
  15 → 50mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Lower Hunter. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching between 16 and 20.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Friday 23 May
  
  16°C → 23°C
  Rain easing.
  90% chance of rain
  3 → 20mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm near the coast. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 22.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Saturday 24 May
  
  14°C → 22°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning. Sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 21.
  
  Sunday 25 May
  
  12°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Monday 26 May
  
  14°C → 23°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 27 May
  
  12°C → 20°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Wyrrabalong National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Crackneck Point Lookout and Crackneck Carpark CLOSED for Helicopter Operations for Wyrrabalong Coast Track maintenance
  Helicopter Operations and Truck Deliveries will be carried out at Crackneck Point Lookout in Wyrrabalong National Park from 29th May to 6th June. During this time, the following areas will be closed for the following periods:
  
  Hilltop Street south from the Yaruga st intersection (29th-30th May)
  
  Crackneck Point Lookout (3rd and 5th June)
  
  Crackneck Point Lookout Carpark (29th-30th May, and 3rd-5th June)
  
  These dates are subject to weather and may change.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office 4972 9000.
  
  Safety alerts: Flood risk warning
  Forecast heavy rainfall may cause flooding of areas in Watagans, Brisbane Water and Wyrrabalong National Parks and Munmorah and Jilliby State Conservation Areas.
  Creek crossings may become impassable with fast flowing water and increased water levels following heavy rainfall.
  People planning to visit these parks are urged to check for closures, emergency warnings and severe weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and State Emergency Service before heading out.
  Remember, it’s never safe to walk, ride or drive through flood waters, so you’ll need to reschedule your visit and avoid travel through areas in this park. Check Live Traffic NSW for up-to-date information about road closures. For assistance during severe weather visit the NSW SES website. In life-threatening situations call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local park office on 02 4320 4200.
  
  Closed areas: Track Repairs and Temporary Closures
  The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be undertaking repairs to The Coast Track between Crackneck Point Lookout and Wyrrabalong Lookout between the 28th April 2025 to 2nd July 2025.
  The track will need to be closed to the public for a period between these dates while works are undertaken to ensure the safety of visitors.
  The track repairs will focus on eroded sections of the track by repairing the track surface, demolishing and replacing retaining walls, and improving drainage to enhance visitor safety, reduce maintenance, and minimise erosional impacts on the surrounding environment.
  For further information please contact the NPWS Central Coast Area Office on 4972 9000.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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