Saltwater Creek to Hegartys Bay

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 30 mins

9.8 km Return

213 m

Hard track

This return walk, from Saltwater Creek camping area, heads south along the coast and around the headlands to Hegartys Bay. The walk passes over a large expanse of low heath along the headland between the bays, providing great panoramic views of the coast. There is a small campsite at Hegartys Bay with some shade and a fascinating red rock platform on the waters edge.

Day use parking area sign Saltwater Creek camping area

First foot prints of the morning Saltwater Creek Beach

Information sign just above Saltwater Creek Beach

Drift wood seats north of Hegartys Bay camping area

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

180 m

3 mins

-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 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 → Saltwater Creek Beach Sth

490 m

8 mins

-2m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Bittangabee Bay' heading to the far end of the beach, keeping the ocean on the left. This walk tends right, towards the dunes, to meet a signposted intersection just in the bush, on the hill above the creek.

(1km) Saltwater Creek Beach Sth → Hegartys Bay Camp

4.2 km

1 hr 18 mins climb

104m

-100m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Green Cape Lighthouse' across the hill, keeping the creek below on the right. The track soon turns left up the hill, away from the beach and creek, and then heads up the hill to an open grassland. The track meanders for a considerable time through different vegetation types - grasslands then heath, then melaleuca, and eucalypts/scrub, before reversing the order up the hill to continue around the flat of the grassy headland. The track continues in this way, passing views of Green Cape Lighthouse to the south and the cliffs, to wind down the hill onto Hegartys Bay beach.
Continue straight: From the beach, this walk heads along the rock platform following the arrow markers. The walk winds around the rock features, then turns away from the ocean and lead up stairs into the bush behind the bay. The track winds above the bay (below on the left) for a short time, to then pass a fireplace and seats, before coming to a signposted clearing 'Hegartys Bay Camping Area' with bench seats and a fireplace.

Hegartys Bay camping area

Hegartys Bay camping area is a basic bush campsite on the Light to Light walk, about 2km north of Bittangabee. The campsite is signposted and is just north of a small creek that leads to Hegartys Bay. There is another, smaller campsite that is not signposted, about 50m north. The creek is very unreliable and other than some impromptu chairs made from driftwood, there are no facilities provided. The campsite is nestled in a clearing among the tall, dense bush, providing some shade and shelter from winds.

Hegartys Bay

Hegartys Bay is a north-east facing bay, about 2km north of Bittangabee in Ben Boyd National Park. The bay has many small boulders at the apex that then fade to rock shelves at each end. The bay is walled by red cliffs at the entrance and the northern wall has some spectacular examples of rock folding. The bay can be accessed along the Light to Light track and is home to a bush campsite.

Maps for the Saltwater Creek to Hegartys Bay 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.

Kiah	1:25 000 Map Series	88231S KIAH	NSW-88231S
Green Cape	1:100 000 Map Series	8923 GREEN CAPE	8923

Cross sectional view of the Saltwater Creek to Hegartys Bay bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Saltwater Creek to Hegartys Bay

Altitude analysis for Saltwater Creek to Hegartys Bay

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.

		Length	9.8 km
		Time	3 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 4.4km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 490m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 4.2km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 670m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 3.9km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 990m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 4.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 4.7km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 180m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 4.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 670m 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 Creek to Hegartys Bay walk.

Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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

Total climbing: 67m

Moderate track

Saltwater Creek campsite to Mowarry Point

8.5 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon out from Saltwater Creek camping area. The walk passes the red cliffs that create a dramatic contrast against the intense blue of the sea and green of the heath. The walk also passes through a bay with a large red rock platform which is a grea

Total climbing: 193m

Hard track

Saltwater Creek to Mowarry Point

8.5 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk starts from the Saltwater Creek camping area, passing through some varied vegetation groups on its way to Mowarry Point Lookout. The walk passes the great view from the red cliffs before heading into a red platform bay, with an opportunity to see the rock formations up close. This great wa

Total climbing: 193m

Hard track

Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay

9.1 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the second main section of the Light to Light walk. The walk joins the two main camping areas of Ben Boyd National Park, by walking along the coast from Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay. The walk explores a few bays, beaches and stunning rock formations on its journey. About hal

Total climbing: 223m

Hard track

Bittangabee Bay to Hegartys Bay

9.1 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This is a pleasant walk which wanders around the coast from Bittangabee Bay to the rocky Hegartys Bay. The walk is an excellent outing from Bittangabee Bay camping and picnic areas, and it passes a few good places for a swim. The walk is well marked and explores the coast north of Bittangabee Bay.

Total climbing: 248m

Hard track

Boyd Tower to Saltwater Creek

13.4 km One way, 5 hrs

This is the first of the three main sections that form the Light to Light walk. You can start the walk with an optional sidetrip to the historic and interesting Boyd Tower. From here, the walk starts its southward journey to Saltwater Creek. The walk explores a number of picturesque bays with bri

Total climbing: 382m

Hard track

Light to Light Walk 2 days

30.9 km One way, 2 Days

Over two days, this classic walk explores the coast from Boyd Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse in the south. Hegartys Bay Camp is over halfway and is the quietest campsite in the park (alternative camp at Saltwater creek). The walk explores many of the scenic and historic highlights of Ben Boyd Na

Total climbing: 794m

Hard track

Light to Light Walk 3 days

30.9 km One way, 3 Days

This classic walk explores the coast from Boyd Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse in the south, with overnight stops at the well established Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay campsites (bookings required). The walk explores many of the scenic and historic highlights of Ben Boyd National Park. It

Total climbing: 794m

Hard track

This is a very short walk to a spectacular lookout. If you are in the area heading to Green Cape, then you really must stop off and soak up the view. Disaster Bay is named in memory of all the ships that have run aground in the region. On a sunny day, the views of the ocean, long beach and Nadgee Na

Total climbing: 11m

Easy track

Pulpit Rock

110 m Return, 10 mins

This is a fantastic short walk, with views of the waves crashing into the spectacular red rock of the coast. The short walk down to Pulpit Rock goes straight down stairs onto the rock platform. The rock platform is popular with fishermen with fixed rod holders near the seas edge.

Total climbing: 15m

Hard track

Boyd Tower

582 m Return, 15 mins

This walk in Ben Boyd National Park is a magnificent way to explore the heritage of Boyd Tower. There are plenty of information signs that enrich the story of the stunning structure and history of the area. Boyd Tower is the centre piece of this walk and is well worth a visit. The bottom of the tow

Total climbing: 15m

Very easy

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

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

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

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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