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Tomaree Coastal Walk: 2 days self guided

Tomaree National Park

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Overview

Experience 27km of coastal hiking over 2 days along Tomaree Coastal Walk, near Port Stephens. Start on a high at Tomaree Head Summit, and stay overnight at a holiday park or accommodation of your choice at the coastal village of One Mile. Learn about Worimi culture at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place, and finish with a swim at the largest moving sand dune in the southern hemisphere.

Grey icon of a clock face, representing time or duration. Image: DPE  2 days 1 night

Grey icon of a walker on a map routeline, representing distance. Image: DPE  27km Grade 4 - Bushwalking experience recommended

Grey icon of a hut, representing accommodation. Image: DPE  Stay overnight at holiday park or accommodation at One Mile

 Grey icon of a calendar, representing availability. Image: DPE  Available all year round

Where to stay

Detailed itinerary

Is this walk right for you ?

This is a Grade 4 walk, mainly because of the length of the track. Most of the terrain is flat and gentle with some short steep hills in places. The 1 km climb up to Tomaree Head Summit is steep but short. In some sections you’ll be walking across sandy beaches and coastal rock platforms.

Check the weather forecast before you set out and be sure to pack clothes for all conditions. You'll be walking along sections of exposed coastline so if there's a summer storm or strong winter winds you need to be prepared.

You’ll also want to check the tide times because you might need to be prepared to walk across the top of beaches if it’s high tide.

This walk is suitable for first time multi-day walkers and families with older children. A moderate level of fitness is required because you'll be walking 4 to 7 hours a day carrying a backpack with water, some food, and safety supplies.

Wheelchair access

This experience is not wheelchair accessible, however there are several locations along the way that are:

Price

Free

What to bring

This is a 2 day self guided walk so you'll need to carry a backpack with water, some food, and safety supplies. If you choose to camp at One Mile, you might also be carrying your tent.

Drinking water is available along the way from amenities buildings at: Fingal Bay, Barry Park, One Mile Beach, Boat Harbour, Fishermans Bay, and Birubi Point.

You can buy lunch and snacks at Fingal Bay, One Mile Beach, and Birubi Point.

There are limited dinner options available year-round at One Mile so you might choose to get takeaway delivered from various restaurants in Anna Bay. Alternatively you could drive or catch a taxi or bus to Anna Bay, Nelson Bay or Shoal Bay for dinner.

Check our bushwalking safety tips to make sure you pack all the essentials and are wearing the right gear. Our beach safety tips will help you stay safe in the water, as well as on the sand and rock platforms.

Trip intention form

It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.

Maps

Download the map for Tomaree National Park in the NSW National Parks app before you leave home. This helps you geolocate yourself on the map, even when you're offline and have no mobile reception. You can also print and take a PDF map of the walk with you.

Weather and seasons

Autumn: The best time for walking and the ocean temperatures are still warm enough for swimming too.

Winter: Fishermans Bay, Boat Harbour and Birubi Point Aboriginal Place are the best places to spot humpback whales as they migrate north between May and November.

Spring: The track comes alive with wildflowers and birdlife. Daytime temperatures are ideal for walking.

Summer: The perfect time to cool off and take advantage of the patrolled beaches track. Average temperatures range between 17 and 27 degrees, although it can get much hotter. Be sure to drink lots of water, and wear sun protection and a hat.

See the Bureau of Meteorology website for more detailed information on the weather and tides.

Getting there and parking

The nearest town to the start point is Shoal Bay which is about 3 hours drive from Sydney and about 1 hour drive from Newcastle.

You’ll be starting the walk at Tomaree Head Summit near Shoal Bay. A combination of paid and free all-day parking is available along Shoal Bay Road, and at Zenith Beach upper and lower car parks. Refer to car park and road signage. Arrive early because this area is busy on weekends and in summer.

You could also catch a taxi or a bus from your location to the base of Tomaree Head Summit. Port Stephens Coaches run buses to Shoal Bay and Anna Bay. Route 130 stops at many locations along this walk including Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Fingal Bay, One Mile, Boat Harbour, Birubi Point and Anna Bay. Visit the Transport for NSW website for trip planning.

For more information

  • National Parks Contact Centre
  • 7am to 7pm daily
  • 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles

Fill in a trip intention form

Hikers with backpacks setting off on a bushwalk. Photo: Remy Brand/DCCEEW © Remy Brand
Hikers with backpacks setting off on a bushwalk. Photo: Remy Brand/DCCEEW © Remy Brand

Fill in a trip intention form

Hikers with backpacks setting off on a bushwalk. Photo: Remy Brand/DCCEEW © Remy Brand
Hikers with backpacks setting off on a bushwalk. Photo: Remy Brand/DCCEEW © Remy Brand

Fill in a trip intention form

Hikers with backpacks setting off on a bushwalk. Photo: Remy Brand/DCCEEW © Remy Brand
Hikers with backpacks setting off on a bushwalk. Photo: Remy Brand/DCCEEW © Remy Brand

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