Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

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Time 25 mins
Return 1.2 km Return
Climb 12 m
Grade 2 Easy track
Car
no_pets
A short walk to access the beach from Freemans camping area. This easy walk takes campers along a wide path to Birdie Beach car park, then to Birdie Beach. The campsite is far enough back from the beach to be protected from the sea breeze, so this walk saves the longer trip via the road. Further north on Birdie Beach is Red Ochre Beach (a nude beach) and also Birdie Lagoon. Birdie Beach is not patrolled.

Freemans camping ground

Freemans camping ground
A well establish campsite. There are 8 caravan sites and 28 tent based camping sites. Groups of more than 8 are required to fill in a group booking form which can be obtained through the booking office. There is a short walk along a footpath to Birdie Beach. The campsite is flat and in an open area, reasonably well protected from the sea breeze. There is some but limited shaded area. The amenities block and cooking shelter are in great condition and provide good facilities. There is an emergency only phone near the amenities block.

(0km) Freemans camping ground → Birdie Beach car park bridge

distance 410 m time 7 mins climb 2m descent -7m Very easy
From speed hump on the Men's side of the toilet block in Freemans Camping Ground[1], this walk follows the 'Birdie Beach Access' sign[2]. The walk follows the sealed path (old road) through the tall heath[3], passing a couple of glimpses of Red Ochre Beach[4] (on the left) before coming to timber foot bridge[5] in the middle of Birdie Beach car park.

Birdie Beach car park

Birdie Beach car park
Birdie Beach car park is a large parking area at the end of Birdie Beach Road. The are a few small grassy clearings, as well as garbage and recycling bins. Three tracks lead to Birdie Beach and another path leads to Freemans camping ground. There is a toilet[6] and hand washing basin[7] near the start of the car park, as well as a large information sign[8]. There is parking[9] and toilet facilities[10][11] for people with disabilities.

(0km) Birdie Beach car park bridge → North Birdie Beach

distance 200 m time 3 mins climb 0m descent -3m Easy track
Continue straight: From the bridge[12], this walk heads to the very end of the car park[13], then turns right to find the beach access track[14]. The walk follows this track a short distance, passing a 'Vehicles fire & camping prohibited on beaches' sign[15]. The track soon comes to a 'Y' intersection marked with a sign pointing to 'Unclad Bathing 150m'[16].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill along the timbered track and over the rise, in the opposite direction to the 'Unclad Bathing 150m' sign[17] (directly away from the car park). The sandy track then leads to another 'Unclad Bathing 150m' sign[18] (pointing left), then comes to the northern end of Birdie Beach[19].

Birdie Beach

Birdie Beach
Birdie Beach is a several kilometre long beach stretching from Budgewoi in the south to near Wybung Head in the north. The sandy beach faces south-east and Bird Island is found about 1.5km from the shore. There are several access points along this beach. The beach is not patrolled.

Maps for the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach 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.

Catherine Hill Bay1:25 000 Map Series92314S CATHERINE HILL BAYNSW-92314S
Lake Macquarie1:100 000 Map Series9231 LAKE MACQUARIE9231

Cross sectional view of the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

Altitude analysis for Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

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.

Length1.2 km
Time25 mins
.




Grade 2/6



Easy track
AS 2156.1GradientFlat, no steps (1/6)
Quality of trackClear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureGenerally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

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, 600m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 410m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 200m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 600m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 600m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 600m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 600m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach walk starts and ends at the Freemans camping ground (gps: -33.201138, 151.60383)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Munmorah State Conservation Area

Munmorah State Conservation Area is a coastal park south of Catherine Hill Bay at the northern end of the NSW Central Coast. The park is blessed with some wonderful beaches popular with swimmers and surfers. You can stay overnight in either of the two well established campsites, both a short walk from the beach. The park puts on a wonderful wildflower in spring and summer each year. The park entrance gates are locked overnight and are open 5:30am to 9:00p.m during daylight savings period, 6:00am to 6:00pm outside of daylight savings time.

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