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 Wed
  
  Wednesday 4 December
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Thursday 5 December
  
  19°C → 24°C
  Cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Upper Hunter in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 16 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:30am to 4:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Friday 6 December
  
  20°C → 26°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Saturday 7 December
  
  20°C → 29°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 4mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to around 20 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
  
  Sunday 8 December
  
  21°C → 26°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to the low 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Monday 9 December
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Tuesday 10 December
  
  18°C → 26°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Wednesday 11 December
  
  19°C → 27°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Wyrrabalong National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Areas closed for hazard reduction burning
  Some parts of Wyrrabalong National Park are closed for hazard reduction burning from Thursday 5 December to Friday 6 December 2024. The closed areas are:
  
  Red Gum Trail Carpark
  
  Wetlands Fire Trail
  
  Red Gum Trail
  
  Magenta Pathway between Red Gum Trail Carpark and Wetland Trail/Evans Road
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. This burn is called NPWS HR Firebreak Trail. For more information, contact the local NPWS office or visit the Rural Fire Service website.
  
  Other planned events: Wyrrabalong 1080 Ground Baiting Program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a ground baiting program in Wyrrabalong National Park from the 13th of November 2024 to the 4th of December 2024.
  The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of foxes. The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species.
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Please contact the local Munmorah NPWS area office for more information on 02 4972 9000.
  
  Closed areas: Wyrrabalong National Park closure for fox control shooting operation
  Parts of Wyrrabalong National Park will be closed within a date range of 0630 (6:30am) Monday 14th October 2024 to 2300pm Friday 20th December 2024 for fox control shoot operations preventing localised economic impacts and protecting biodiversity assets within the park.
  
  When active the shoot operation area will be delignated by signage advising visitors “do not enter” at any time during the night-time operation.
  
  Penalties apply for non-compliance.
  
  For more information, call the local park office on 024972 9000 or email [email protected].
  
  Other planned events: Construction Works Adjacent to Wyrrabalong National Park
  Construction of the Magenta Shared Walkway on behalf of Central Coast Council is being undertaken adjacent to Wilfred Barret Drive, Magenta. These works are not within Wyrrabalong National Park and no clearing of Park Estate is planned to occur as part of these works. National Parks and Wildlife would encourage park visitors to follow any safety signage installed as part of these works. Further information regarding this project can be found at here at Magenta Shared Path Construction (continuation) | Central Coast Council (nsw.gov.au.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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