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Tomaree Head Summit walk

Tomaree National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Upgrades in Tomaree National Park

Construction of Tomaree Costal Walk is underway and will be completed in June 2023. Works will be focused at Tomaree Summit walking track and Birubi Point between March and May. Find out more about the investment being made to upgrade infrastructure in Tomaree National Park.

Tomaree Head Summit walk offers a short but challenging hike and picturesque ocean views across Port Stephens and beyond. Enjoy a well-earned lunch at the summit on the bench by the lookout.

Where
Tomaree National Park in North Coast
Distance
2.2km return
Time suggested
1hr 30min - 2hrs
Grade
Grade 5
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, sturdy shoes
Please note
  • Take care along the steep sections on this walk as well as paved areas that can become slippery when wet.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to whale watch – the best time of year is between May and October.
  • Zenith Beach is a sanctuary zone, meaning no collecting or fishing is permitted.

Take the invigorating short walk to the summit of Tomaree Head, 161m above the Port Stephens entrance. As you hike the track, you’ll enjoy unparalleled views of idyllic Port Stephens and its coastline. From the top, you can even see as far as Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands – these nature reserves are the world’s only nesting sites for the endangered Gould's petrel.

When you reach the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree, Boondelbah and Broughton Islands from the north platform. From the south platform, views of Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches, Fingal Island and Point Stephens Lighthouse will be sure to impress. Be sure to check out the historic World War II gun emplacements. Take your binoculars as you might be lucky to see some dolphins.

There’s a picnic table at the lookout, so if you have time, take a picnic lunch or some morning tea to enjoy as you take in the view. On the way back down, don’t forget to try Fort Tomaree walk.

Take a virtual tour of Tomaree Head Summit walk captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • A Gould's petrel chick, Cabbage Tree Island. Photo: John Spencer © DPIE

    Gould's petrel immersive story Tomaree Head

    See the amazing journey of the Gould’s petrel come to life with our augmented reality immersive story. Enjoy this mobile experience at Tomaree National Park, or without leaving home.

  • Young couple on Fort Tomaree walk in Tomaree National Park. Photo: John Spencer © OEH

    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.

  • Visitors at the World War II gun emplacement at Fort Tomaree. Photo: J Spencer/OEH

    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.

 

Google Street View Trekker

Using Google Street View Trekker, we've captured imagery across a range of NSW national parks and attractions. Get a bird's eye view of these incredible landscapes before setting off on your own adventure.

Google Trekker at Cape Byron State Conservation Area. Photo: J Spencer/OEH.

 

Download our app

The free NSW National Parks app lets you download maps and explore parks, things to do and places to stay—all without mobile reception.

Hand holding a phone with NSW National Parks app on screen. Photo: Branden Bodman/DPIE

General enquiries

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