Fort Tomaree walk
Tomaree National Park
Overview
Fort Tomaree walk is an easy walk that runs just below Tomaree Head Summit walk and takes you to the World War II gun emplacements, used in the defence of east coast Australia during World War II.
- Where
- Tomaree National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Hard
- Distance
- 2.5km return
- Time suggested
- 1hr 30min - 2hrs
- Grade
- Grade 3
- Please note
- There are some steep sections and the pavement can become slippery when wet, so use caution when walking.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch or whalewatch
- Zenith Beach is a sanctuary zone, meaning no collecting or fishing is permitted.
This easy walk on a paved track around the lower slopes of Tomaree Head brings you face-to-face with local military heritage – World War II gun emplacements, built in 1941 to defend the east coast of Australia. Learn about Fort Tomaree from interpretive signs, or take a guided discovery tour for even more detail.
A further track takes you up elevated walkways on Tomaree Head Summit walk, which offers breathtaking lookout views over Port Stephens and nature reserves like Cabbage Tree Island. Humpbacks migrate past here in winter and spring, so you’ll want to bring your camera for whale watching.
Finish your visit by relaxing on the lovely sands of beautiful Zenith Beach, near where the walk begins. Or make your way to the nearby picnic area; an idyllic spot to unwind underneath the shade of angophora trees.
Take a virtual tour of Fort Tomaree walk captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Also see
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Tomaree Head Summit walk
Tomaree Head Summit walk offers a short but challenging hike and picturesque ocean views across Port Stephens and beyond. It's a must-see destination if you're in the area.
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World War II gun emplacements
Discover the military history of Port Stephens on a guided tour of the historic gun emplacements at Tomaree Head in Tomaree National Park on the north coast of NSW.
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/walking-tracks/fort-tomaree-walk/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Tomaree National Park in the North Coast region
Tomaree National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Fort Tomaree walk.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
2.5km return
Time
1hr 30min - 2hrs
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Steps
No steps
Gradient
Short steep hills: The track slopes uphill all the way along the walk. Some sections are steep and these sections have a handrail.
Quality of path
Formed track: The track is 1m wide and mostly paved along its length. At the point where you turn onto Gun Emplacement Road, the track becomes bitumen and may be worn in sections.
Accessible options
The first 700m of track (from the carpark at the end of Shoal Bay Road to the gun emplacement) is step-free and may be suitable for people with reduced mobility. After this point, the track has steep and narrow sections.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Fort Tomaree walk is at Tomaree Head within Tomaree National Park. To get there:
From Nelson Bay:
- Follow Shoal Bay Road to the lower Zenith Beach carpark
Parking
There's a bitumen carpark at lower Zenith Beach or upper Zenith beach at the start of the walk.
On busy days you may need to find a parking spot on Shoal Bay Road.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Tomaree National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
A fabulous time to experience Tomaree's wildflowers display.
Summer
Cool off with a dip at Shoal Bay or Box beach, or try snorkelling at Zenith beach; a gorgeous and protected marine sanctuary.
Winter
Fishermans Bay and Boat Harbour are the best places to spot humpback whales as they migrate north between May and July or you can take a guided tour.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
17°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
41.5°C
Winter temperature
Average
8°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded
1.1°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
May and June
Driest month
October and November
Facilities
Toilets
There's a toilet at the boat ramp, a 4 minute walk from the track entry back towards Shoal Bay.
Seats and resting points
There are benches without backrests or armrests at various points along the walk.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
- The first 700m of track (from the carpark at the end of Shoal Bay Road to the gun emplacement) is step-free and may be suitable for people with reduced mobility.
- After this point, the track has steep and narrow parts. The steep sections have a handrail.
- The track is mostly paved and 1m wide. At the point where it meets Gun Emplacement Road, the track becomes bitumen and may be worn in parts.
- There are seats without armrests or backrests at points along the track.
Prohibited
Fishing
The area along the shoreline between the northern end of Zenith Beach and the southern end of Wreck Beach is a marine sanctuary zone. Collecting or fishing is not permitted within this zone.
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
Fort Tomaree walk is in Tomaree National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal heritage
Tomaree National Park is the traditional land of Worimi People and provided a range of resources, including food, medicines and shelter. The ancient landscape of the park is part of the cultural knowledge and 'Dreaming' stories of the Worimi People and remains an important Aboriginal place today. The south end of the park includes Birubi Point, a declared Aboriginal Place. A walk along the beaches of Tomaree National Park are a walk along ancient travel routes used by Worimi to travel north and south through their Country.
- Aboriginal culture Bring your students to this unique excursion in Tomaree National Park, near Port Stephens. They’ll experience the park through the eyes of an Aboriginal person on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Aboriginal culture Geography excursion.
- Birubi Point Aboriginal Place Learn more about the culture of the Worimi People at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place in Tomaree National Park, near Anna Bay. Hear Worimi artist, Gerard Black, discuss his artwork titled Matjarr nguka biinba.
- Birubi Point to One Mile Beach walking track This 7.5 km one-way walk from Birubi Point to One Mile Beach offers ocean views and Aboriginal culture. Located in Tomaree National Park near Port Stephens, it winds through several coastal villages with convenient facilities.
- Junior ranger: Tomaree coastal adventure tour Be guided by a NPWS Discovery ranger on this bush to beach adventure in Tomaree National Park.
- Ocean rockpool nature tour: Tomaree Discover the amazing world of rockpools along the rocky shores of Fishermans Bay on the Tomaree National Park coastline. See what you can find below the surface, not far from Nelson Bay.
Birdlife and koala country
The park's beaches and rocks support sooty oystercatchers and the swamps support active populations of wallum froglet populations of migratory shore birds including the eastern curlew and red-necked stint. See if you can spot the passing bar-tailed godwit - this long-beaked bird holds the record for the longest non-stop flight; 11,000km without a break. Visit in winter to see colourful lorikeets and honeyeaters feeding on wildflowers in the coastal heathland and in summer you'll see migratory tropical species including cuckoos and rainforest pigeons. Look close at the surrounding shoreline and you may find green turtles and dugongs. Tomaree National Park also offers the opportunity to see one of Australia's iconic animals up close. See koalas feasting on swamp mahogany in and around the park, or in the trees around One Mile Beach carpark.
- Fingal Island eco-walk and lighthouse tour Discover the captivating history of Point Stephens Lighthouse and Fingal Island on this tour with Aquamarine Adventures. Take in the incredible views and immerse yourself in this magical landscape in Tomaree National Park, near Nelson Bay.
- Junior ranger: Tomaree coastal adventure tour Be guided by a NPWS Discovery ranger on this bush to beach adventure in Tomaree National Park.
- Ocean rockpool nature tour: Tomaree Discover the amazing world of rockpools along the rocky shores of Fishermans Bay on the Tomaree National Park coastline. See what you can find below the surface, not far from Nelson Bay.
- The Earth's environment Join The Earth's environment Geography excursion for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) students at Tomaree National Park, near Port Stephens. They'll discover how NSW National Parks safeguards over 10 per cent of land in NSW.
- Tomaree 4WD tag-along and passenger tours Explore the fabulous sand dunes of Tomaree National Park safely with experienced guides from 4WD Tag-Along and Passenger Tours, near Nelson Bay and Port Stephens.
Ancient landscape
The northern section of Tomaree National Park has 4 peaks, the largest being Tomaree Head at 162m high. Overall, the landscape is the residual surface of a peneplain uplifted during the tertiary period (65 to 1.8 million years ago) and subsequently eroded, leaving the more resistant volcanic rocks as small hills. Port Stephens is a flooded river valley. The western sections of the park are sand deposits of fluvial and estuarine origin.
- Junior ranger: Tomaree coastal adventure tour Be guided by a NPWS Discovery ranger on this bush to beach adventure in Tomaree National Park.
- Ocean rockpool nature tour: Tomaree Discover the amazing world of rockpools along the rocky shores of Fishermans Bay on the Tomaree National Park coastline. See what you can find below the surface, not far from Nelson Bay.
- Tomaree 4WD tag-along and passenger tours Explore the fabulous sand dunes of Tomaree National Park safely with experienced guides from 4WD Tag-Along and Passenger Tours, near Nelson Bay and Port Stephens.
- Tomaree coastal walking tour Explore Tomaree National Park near Port Stephens and discover it's spectacular coastline and incredible Australian wildlife on this 2 hour guided walk.
- Tomaree Head Summit walk Tomaree Head Summit walk offers a short but challenging hike and picturesque ocean views across Port Stephens and beyond. It's a must-see destination if you're in the area.
Military history
Follow in the footsteps of Australian soldiers on the trail to Tomaree Head. The historic Fort Tomaree played an important role in the defence of Port Stephens during World War II, including Tomaree Head that was solidly armed with gun emplacements. You can take a guided Discovery tour of the gun emplacements to find out more about this historic site.
- Fingal Island eco-walk and lighthouse tour Discover the captivating history of Point Stephens Lighthouse and Fingal Island on this tour with Aquamarine Adventures. Take in the incredible views and immerse yourself in this magical landscape in Tomaree National Park, near Nelson Bay.
- Fingal Island historical lighthouse tour Take a step back in time with this tour of Point Stephens Lighthouse and Fingal Island in Tomaree National Park. Hear fascinating stories of the island's history from a passionate local guide on this engaging outing with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, near Nelson Bay.
- Fort Tomaree walk Fort Tomaree walk is an easy walk that runs just below Tomaree Head Summit walk and takes you to the World War II gun emplacements, used in the defence of east coast Australia during World War II.
- Point Stephens Lighthouse and Fingal Island Take a boat or a tour to Fingal Island and explore Point Stephens Lighthouse and historic ruins. Aquamarine Adventure run regular tours to Fingal Island. It's not safe to walk across the sand spit to the island as the tide and swell can change quickly.
- World War II gun emplacements Discover the military history of Port Stephens on a guided tour of the historic gun emplacements at Tomaree Head in Tomaree National Park on the north coast of NSW.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
One of the most renowned Australian animals, the tree-dwelling marsupial koala can be found in gum tree forests and woodlands across eastern NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as in isolated regions in South Australia. With a vice-like grip, this perhaps most iconic but endangered Australian animal lives in tall eucalypts within a home range of several hectares.
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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.
Plants
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Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)
Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.
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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.
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Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)
An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.