Maitland Bay Information Centre
Bouddi National Park
Overview
Start your Bouddi National Park adventure at historic Maitland Bay Information Centre, Killcare. It features terrific educational displays and visitor information.
- Type
- Visitor centres
- Where
- 174 The Scenic Road, Bouddi, NSW, 2251 - in Bouddi National Park in Sydney and surrounds
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Entry fees
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Park entry fees don't apply at the visitor centre.
- Opening times
- Maitland Bay Information Centre is open weekends and public holidays only.
- Hours vary between 11am and 3pm.
- Please note
NSW National Parks annual park passes are not available to buy at Maitland Bay Information Centre.
Nestled amongst eucalyptus trees in the middle of the park, Maitland Bay Information Centre is the ideal spot to begin exploring Bouddi.
Visit the centre to collect maps and brochures and chat with the friendly community volunteers who staff the centre on weekends and public holidays. The kids can get hands-on with the interactive displays, while the centre’s large mural and other artworks are sure to capture everyone’s attention.
Built in 1945, the centre commenced its life as a family home. Another part of the building was built in 1950, and used as a shop that became famous for its Devonshire teas.
Maitland Bay Information Centre is also a great place to begin your exploration of Bouddi National Park, with Maitland Bay track, Bullimah Spur track and Bouddi Ridge explorer beginning closeby.
Map
Map
Map legend
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/visitor-centres/maitland-bay-information-centre/local-alerts
Park info
- in Bouddi National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Bouddi National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay machines that accept both card and coins, or you can pay via the Park'nPay app.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Maitland Bay Information Centre.
Getting there and parking
Maitland Bay Information Centre is in the Maitland Bay precinct of Bouddi National Park.
To get there from Gosford:
- Follow the Central Coast Highway towards Erina
- Turn right onto Avoca Drive and continue through Kincumber
- Turn right at Empire Bay Drive
- Turn left into Cochrone Street and then right onto The Scenic Road
- The centre is located opposite the intersection of Maitland Bay Drive and The Scenic Road in Maitland
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
There's a small asphalt carpark and a larger gravel carpark at the information centre.
Best times to visit
Spring
Take the Bouddi Coastal walk to be amazed by the colourful wildflowers on display in spring.
Summer
Cool off with a dip at one the park's gorgeous beaches or try snorkelling at Maitland Bay Surf the popular coastline between MacMasters Beach and Box Head .
Winter
Grab the camera and spot humpback whales as they migrate north between May and July.
Facilities
Carpark
Drinking water
There is a drinking fountain next to the information sign.
Public phone
Step-free access
There's step-free access to the information centre via a concrete pathway from the carpark. The area outside the information centre is mostly flat.
Inside the building, the street-level section of the information centre is step-free. However there's also a lower level that's located down a flight of 5 stairs.
Accessible doorways
The doors have lever handles, aren't heavy and the width of the doorway is 850mm or wider when open.
- Accessible doorways, at least 850mm wide, with lever handles
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- There's step-free access from the carpark to the building entrance and around the street-level section of the building.
- Access from the carpark to the information centre is via a flat concrete path.
- Doorways at the information centre are accessible with lever handles.
- There's a lower level at the information centre that's located down a flight of 5 stairs. People with reduced mobility may need assistance to reach the lower level.
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.
Visitor centre
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Maitland Bay Information Centre
174 The Scenic Road, Bouddi NSW 2251 - Weekends and public holidays only, 11am to 3pm
- 02 4320 4200 Girrakool office
Learn more
Maitland Bay Information Centre is in Bouddi National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A coastal gem
Located south-east of Gosford, the park spans over 1,500 hectares, including the fully-protected Bouddi National Park Marine Extension area. As well as offering pristine beaches and marine habitat, the park's coastal position boasts million-dollar ocean views, which are best enjoyed from one of its lookouts.
- Bouddi coastal walk Located near Gosford, Bouddi coastal walk is known for its beaches, boardwalk and birdlife. Go whale watching, picnic or swim at Maitland Bay, or simply absorb the ocean views.
- Bouddi group trail running sessions Ignite your passion for running with these guided trail sessions by RunFit 2260. You’ll get fit, get out in nature and enjoy the company of others who love to run.
- Gerrin Point lookout Experience stunning views at Gerrin Point Lookout, a short walk from Putty Beach in Bouddi National Park on the NSW central coast. Enjoy whale watching during the winter months, birdwatching or just absorb the view.
- Guided bushwalks in Bouddi National Park Enjoy a gentle guided walk in Bouddi National Park with Bells at Killcare. You’ll trek through lush rainforest bordered by spectacular ocean views on scenic coastal tracks near Gosford.
A natural paradise
A variety of animals and birds live in Bouddi National Park, enjoying its quiet beaches and native vegetation as much as its visitors do. Remember to take your camera as you may be lucky enough to spot a resident sea-eagle, echidna or tree frog. Plus, photos of the park's fascinating rock formations provide excellent memories of your visit. The 300-hectare Bouddi National Park Marine Extension protects the park’s diverse marine life and is one of Australia’s earliest Marine Protected Areas. The park also offers great whale watching opportunities from one of its many lookouts– spot humpback whales between May and July and again in September and October and southern right whales from late July.
- Box Head track This easy walk winds through bushland to the Box Head lookout, offering scenic views across the Hawkesbury River and cross Broken Bay and Lion Island to Sydney.
- Gerrin Point lookout Experience stunning views at Gerrin Point Lookout, a short walk from Putty Beach in Bouddi National Park on the NSW central coast. Enjoy whale watching during the winter months, birdwatching or just absorb the view.
Culturally fascinating
The park and surrounding area contain numerous Aboriginal sites, more than 100 significant sites have been recorded, with more still likely to be found. Rock shelters adorned with engravings and Aboriginal art, grinding grooves, middens and other archaeological deposits are fascinating to behold, and make a visit to Bouddi National Park a very special experience.
- Bouddi guided Aboriginal heritage tours Join Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences for a fascinating 3hr tour. You'll discover timeless Aboriginal culture and heritage in beautiful Central Coast landscapes near Gosford.
- Daleys Point walking track Daleys Point walking track offers easy walking, spectacular views and a place to take in the natural beauty and unique Aboriginal cultural heritage of Bouddi National Park.
So many outdoor activities
Bouddi National Park is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors – both in water and on land. From abundant walking tracks, mountain biking trails, fishing spots, campsites, picnic areas and beaches just waiting for swimmers, surfers and snorkellers, this park really does have it all. You can even join an adventure tour.
- Bouddi coastal walk Located near Gosford, Bouddi coastal walk is known for its beaches, boardwalk and birdlife. Go whale watching, picnic or swim at Maitland Bay, or simply absorb the ocean views.
- Bouddi Ridge explorer Try the awesome Bouddi Ridge Explorer mountain biking trail in Bouddi National Park near Gosford. Looping several smaller track the 10km trail offers great variety and scenery.
- Maitland Bay track Maitland Bay track is one of the central coast's most popular bushwalks. This short, steep walk takes you downhill to the beautiful Maitland Bay and its shipwreck.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.
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Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.
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Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps)
The sugar glider is a tree-dwelling Australian native marsupial, found in tall eucalypt forests and woodlands along eastern NSW. The nocturnal sugar glider feeds on insects and birds, and satisfies its sweet tooth with nectar and pollens.
Plants
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Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)
The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.
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Smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata)
Smooth-barked apple gums, also known as Sydney red gum or rusty gum trees, are Australian native plants found along the NSW coast, and in the Sydney basin and parts of Queensland. Growing to heights of 15-30m, the russet-coloured angophoras shed their bark in spring to reveal spectacular new salmon-coloured bark.