A walk through a national park is a great way to spend time in nature and away from crowds. It is also an excellent opportunity to get those steps in and indulge in some physical activity, depending on the length of the walking track you choose. The Central Coast has a few of these lovely walking tracks and one of the local favourites is the
Wyrrabalong Coastal Walk, accessed through either the Crackneck Lookout end at Hilltop Street, Bateau Bay, or Cromarty Hill Road in Forrester's Beach.
View of Bateau Bay beach from Crackneck Lookout
has a dedicated parking lot for visitors who want to picnic or take in the beautiful water views. Some park their vehicles facing the sea and enjoy vistas and flat whites from there. Tables and benches are scattered throughout the lookout, with couples or families packing a picnic lunch to enjoy. There are two options for walks from this point, heading north towards Bateau Bay Beach or south towards the Wyrrabalong Lookout. My family and I decided to try out the 1.5-kilometre coastal walk to the lookout.
Start of trail
The walk starts on a wide trail with flat terrain and slowly narrows to a single file rocky trail where you feel embraced by nature. There is a showcase of Australian flora and fauna which will delight enthusiasts. It is a good walk to do with friends or family if you are after a slower pace and someone to chat with but we have seen quite a few lone trekkers as well. There are a number of steep steps (with railings) to manage before getting to the lookout, so it can become a challenge for those who are only after a leisurely stroll. Bringing a water bottle is strongly recommended as one can easily run out of breath and need to take a rest. It is best to avoid a midday stroll (which we did) as the sun beating down on you can add to exhaustion.
Wyrrablong trail view
There are many clearings where one can pause to take in breathtaking views and take a breather. Photography buffs will likewise enjoy an array of nature and landscape subjects to snap. Upon arriving at the lookout, there is the whole expanse of the ocean to admire from every angle. We found the clearing just past the Wyrrabalong lookout to be a pleasant surprise, with the display of colourful paragliders over Forresters Beach.
Paragliders at Forresters Beach
We returned to Crackneck as our car was parked there, but fellow hikers proceeded to exit at Cromarty Hill Road exit. It took us over an hour to do the return walk, with a few stops in between.
Wyrrabalong coastal track
Just a few reminders:
Bring waterWear proper walking shoesDogs and bicycles are not allowed on the trackAs the track runs along the cliff's edge, children need to be supervisedSteep stairs are part of the trailBe ready with your camera if you want to capture some of the sights
