The walk down Stockyard Spur to Garie Beach is an excellent way to take in coastal views before following the Coastal Track. This is great if you are with a driver who is happy to drop you and wait for you are Garie Beach, or if you can do a car shuffle. You can always just walk back up. There are plenty of opportunities to get your feet wet if you wish to cool down on the walk, and you can see some of the houses built during the depression at North Era and Little Garie.
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Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way
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The Squeeze way and Stockyard Gully Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 428 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -22 m
From the intersection, this walk heads away from Garie Rd and the gate towards the 'No parking along this road' sign and the 'No Stopping' signs. The walk then continues for approximately 200m along the relatively flat management trail, before heading downhill. The trail leads to the bottom of a small rise where there is an unmarked intersection with a bush track on the left. There is a round soccer ball-sized rock here.
(0.43 km)
The Squeeze way and Stockyard Gully Trk
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North Era Bush Campground Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.29 km
Time = 31 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -204 m
From the intersection, this walk heads away from the management trail, winding through the bush for approximately 50m before heading down the hill. The track follows the top of the ridge, winding down among many large rocks for approximately 100m, then continuing south-east down the hill to an area with an open, clear, forest floor. After approximately 100m, the forest floor becomes thick with grasses, and the walk continues through this to an open canopy, which overlooks houses to the right of the ridge. The walk then heads up through the open grass area to the intersection. From the top of the ridge, the walk crosses the headland and open grassy area, down towards the beach (keeping the ocean to the right), coming to a 'North Era Bush Campground' sign just before the beach.
North Era camping ground
Alt = m
North Era camping ground, Royal National Park, is a large dune area situated directly behind North Era Beach. This camping spot is popular with surfers, and it also has a toilet and a cleared area to pitch your tent. A maximum of 36 people (12 sites) can camp here, so there is plenty of room for everyone. Open fires are not permitted, you can carry a fuel stove for cooking. A camping permit is required from NPWS before arriving (Phone:(02) 9542 068). Water is often available from the creek (treat before drinking), If dry you can walk to Garie Beach for water, during a dry spell it is best to carry water in with you.
(1.71 km)
North Era Bush Campground
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Little Garie Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 863 m
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 74 m
Descent = -62 m
Keeping the ocean and the coast to the right, the walk heads north across the North Era Bush Campground to the base of the large grassy hill, which it climbs steeply to the top. Upon reaching the top, the walk continues down the other side of the hill, winding down the bush track and wooden steps, until reaching the Little Garie Community Hall at the base of the hill.
(2.58 km)
Little Garie
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Garie Beach Car Park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 754 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -59 m
From the Little Garie Community Hall, the walk heads down the hill, keeping the sea to the right of the track as it leads into the gully. The walk passes several old cabins as it approaches the bottom, where the track passes a 'Coast Walk' sign, providing information on erosion issues in this area. From here, the walk heads between the ocean on the right and the base of the large grassy hill on the left as the track narrows. This continues until arriving in the Garie Beach car park.
Garie Beach
Alt = 4 m
Garie Beach, Royal National Park, is a large, south-east facing, yellow sand beach. The beach is backed by steep headlands and gullies. There is a large car park at the end of Garie Rd for access to the beach. Garie Beach is popular for surfing, patrolled 9am-5pm from December to January. Facilities include toilets, kiosk, picnic tables, cold showers and Surf Life Saving Club. The water from the shower should be treated before drinking. More info
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 15 minutes ago) This walk passes Illawarra/Shoalhaven fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 15 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.