Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track

Pambula-Haycock area in Beowa National Park

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Overview

The walk from Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach in Beowa National Park takes in whale watching, scenic coastal views, wildlife and birdwatching opportunities.

Distance
3km one-way
Time suggested
1hr 30min - 2hrs 30min
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note

Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching or whale watching

This pleasant, moderate walk leads around Haycock Point, following the headland on the southern shore of the Pambula River estuary, all the way to Barmouth Beach. Offering spectacular views and whale watching opportunities along the pristine coastline of the NSW Far South Coast, it’s an easy walk for the whole family to enjoy.

Starting at either the Barmouth Beach carpark or Haycock Point picnic area, this gently undulating walk captures the remote beauty of Beowa National Park. You’ll pass through a range of landscapes, from windswept heath to woodlands, while taking in scenic coastal views of rugged rock formations and dramatic cliff lines.

It’s a great spot for whale watching out at sea during migration. On land, you’re likely to see echidnas, kangaroos and goannas in this area.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/haycock-point-to-barmouth-beach-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

3km one-way

Time

1hr 30min - 2hrs 30min

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Haycock Point is in the Haycock Point precinct of Beowa National Park (north). To get there:

    • Drive south from Pambula, 9km down Princes Highway.
    • Turn left at Haycock Road – Beowa National Park.
    • Drive 6km to either Barmouth Beach or Haycock Point picnic area

    Parking

    Parking is available at Barmouth Beach and Haycock Point.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Beowa National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    Camp at Bittangabee Beach campground and see lyrebirds performing their characteristic dance and tail display.

    Spring

    Visit Green Cape Lighthouse or Boyds Tower to spot whales migrating south to their Antarctic feeding grounds - you might even see females with young calves.

    Summer

    Plan a camping trip to Saltwater Creek - to enjoy the lagoons and beautiful surf beach.

    Winter

    Take the Light to Light walk when it's nice and cool and the banksias are in bloom.

    Facilities

    Drinking water is not available in this area.

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Beach safety

    Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    Prohibited

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Learn more

    Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track is in Pambula-Haycock area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Aboriginal culture

    Pambula River Mouth. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

    The Yuin People are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Beowa National Park and they have a long and complex relationship with the coastal environment. Some of the best preserved mounded middens on the east coast of Australia are found in the park along the Pambula River. These middens contain the shells of oysters, mussels and sometimes the bones of sea and land mammals—collected by Aboriginal people from the rock platforms, reefs and estuaries along the park’s coastline.

    • Severs Beach Severs Beach, in Beowa National Park in the whale watching town of Eden on NSW’s Sapphire Coast, offers Aboriginal heritage, fishing, beach walks and more.

    Rocks tell a story

    Rock platform at Barmouth Beach. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE

    The park’s stunning rock formations, inlets and headlands are the result of extensive geological folding. Most of Beowa National Park lies on red, brown and green shales, sandstones, siltstones and quartzites. These were formed in the Devonian period around 360 million years ago, before dinosaurs roamed the earth. You can see these rock types exposed along the cliffs and headlands. The Devonian period is known as The Age of Fishes and internationally-significant fish fossils have been found in several places along the park’s coastline.

    Refuge for threatened species

    Pied oystercatcher. Photo: Michael Jarman/DPIE

    Several threatened species take refuge in the Pambula-Haycock area. North of Pambula River there's an important population of yellow-bellied gliders—listen carefully for their trademark crackles and shrieks. Around 50 native mammals and nearly 150 species of birds have been recorded in Beowa National Park. This includes 1 critically endangered bird, 4 endangered animal species and 25 vulnerable species.

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Five pelicans stand at the beach shore in Bundjalung National Park as the sun rises. Photo: Nick Cubbin © DPE

      Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

      The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.

    • Australian fur seals, Montague Island Nature Reserve. Photo: OEH

      Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)

      The largest fur seal, Australian fur seals are found in isolated rocky outcrops and islands along the NSW coast. They come ashore to form breeding colonies and can often be seen at Barunguba Montague Island Nature Reserve.

    Environments in this area