Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs

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Time 1 hr 30 mins
Return 3.3 km Return
Climb 67 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Car
no_pets
This walk starts from Saltwater Creek camping area and heads north around the bay to the red cliffs. The walk gives an opportunity to explore the end of Saltwater Creek, the beach and the varied bushland on it's journey to the bald rock platform. From the rock platform, there are awesome views and sounds of the sea smashing against the red cliffs below. It is worth spending some time exploring the rocks, being careful to stay clear of the edge.

Saltwater Creek campground

Saltwater Creek campground
Salwater Creek campground is a nice place from which to access the coastal walking track -there is plenty of swimming, fishing and snorkeling to be done as well. There are some rainwater tanks on site, but be prepared for them to be empty.

(0km) Saltwater Creek Campsite Information Sign → Saltwater Creek Beach Nth

distance 180 m time 3 mins climb 0m descent -2m Moderate track
From the information signs at Saltwater Creek camping area, the walk heads through the 'Day use' parking area to the far left corner. The track then follows the track-marker through the fenced area and onto the beach between the creek and ocean. The track continues towards the bush on the other side, where there is a signposted intersection.

Saltwater Creek Beach

Saltwater Creek Beach
Saltwater Creek meets the South Pacific Ocean at a beautiful white sand beach in Ben Boyd National park. The beach looks north-east and has a rock shelf at either end. The wide Saltwater Creek forms a lagoon at the northern end, popular for swimming. Woodburn Creek also forms a lagoon on the southern end of the beach. Both creeks have a brown colouration from the tea tree, that forms a beautiful contrast with the white sand and blue ocean. The back of the beach is heavily wooded, providing some shade, and is home to the Saltwater Creek campsite. The beach can be accessed from the Saltwater Creek campsite at the end of the access road from Duck Hole Road.

(0km) Saltwater Creek Beach Nth → Red Rocks

distance 1.5 km time 27 mins climb 36m descent -29m Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill following the sign to 'Mowarry Point 5.4km'. The track heads up the hill into the heath, keeping the ocean on the right. The walk winds through the heath and Melaleuca trees surrounding the track. There are numerous fallen branches and trees hanging above the track, so walkers should take due care. The walk continues up through an old farm fence as it winds along the coastline, then heads down to a rock shelf above the ocean.

Red Cliffs

Red Cliffs
Red Cliffs - These fantastic red coastal cliffs are found about 1km north of saltwater creek in Ben Boyd National Park. The cliffs are made of a red siltstone. As the name suggests, this rock is made from deposited silt, making it much finer grain than sandstone. The red silt came from nearby volcanic eruptions long ago, and is clearly different from the other brown siltstone and sandstone in the region. The cliff is unfenced and provides views out to sea and into a few surrounding bays. More info.

Maps for the Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Kiah1:25 000 Map Series88231S KIAHNSW-88231S
Green Cape1:100 000 Map Series8923 GREEN CAPE8923

Cross sectional view of the Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs

Altitude analysis for Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length3.3 km
Time1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherStorms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

This whole walk, 1.7km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.7km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 1.5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 180m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs walk starts and ends at the Saltwater Creek Campsite Information Sign (gps: -37.169036, 150.00069)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the South Coast weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Ben Boyd National Park

Ben Boyd National park is on the NSW South Coast, near Eden. The park was named and established in 1971, in the honour of Benjamin Boyd (1801-1851). Ben Boyd National park protects a wonderful section of coast line from Pambula to Green Cape, split into two distinct sections, one north of Eden and the other south. The park is well known for its contrasting red rocks, whale sighting, Boyd Tower, Green Cape Lighthouse and associated history. Ben Boyd National park offers some great insights into recent European history, Indigenous occupation and natural history. The park provides two campsites some other great recreational experiences.

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