Munmorah Coast Track

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Time 1 hr 30 mins
One way 3.3 km One way
Climb 96 m
Grade 5 Experienced only
Car
no_pets
Starting from Campbell Dr, this walk follows the Geebung and Grass Tree tracks to Frazer Beach, with an optional sidetrip to Wybung Head. Geebung Track leads you through the low heath and past a few sweeping ocean views, and great wildflower displays in spring and summer. The side trip to Wybung Head follows a dirt road, and the views are well worth the detour. Grass Tree Track is overgrown and unclear in places, making its way down to Frazer Beach.

* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

(0km) Int of Geebung Track and Campbell Dr → Birdie Beach View

distance 1.7 km time 29 mins climb 60m descent -5m Moderate track
From Campbell Dr (800m east of the intersection with Blue Wren Dr)[1], this walk heads south around the locked gate[2], though a clearing then follows the 'Coast Track' sign[3] along the management trail. After about 350m, the management trail ends, and the walk crosses a small creek using a timber boardwalk[4]. The walk heads up a series of timber steps (where the track is now lined with timber) and across a small clearing[5], then back through tall dense heath for about 200m. Here, the track is no longer lined with timber edging[6], but is still clear as it soon bends left and heads up the wide ridge through the low heath, with great district views behind[7]. The track continues up the hill as Birdie Beach comes into view[8] (on the right) and, just after a significant left-hand bend, the track comes to the top of the hill with a great view down Birdie Beach (now behind)[9].

Birdie Beach View

Birdie Beach View
Birdie Beach View is an informal lookout found on a sweeping bend[10] along the Geebung Track, north of Birdie Beach. The view south over Red Ochre Beach and along Birdie Beach is fantastic. Norah Head can be seen in the distance, past Bird Island. Since the re-vegetation of the track to Birdie Beach Lookout[11] this is the best point from which to enjoy the view. A great spot to enjoy the coast.

(2km) Birdie Beach View → Int of Geebung Track and Wybung Head Rd

distance 690 m time 12 mins climb 32m descent -5m Moderate track
Continue straight: From Birdie Beach View, this walk heads north directly away from Birdie Beach[12], following the wide track into the taller heath[13]. The track leads past a view down to an un-named bay[14] (on the right) and continues through the tall heath for a while. Not long before Wybung Head Rd, the track comes to a 'Y' intersection[15], this walk follows the right branch (however the left branch also goes to the same point), skirting around to a clearing[16]. The walk then heads around the locked gate[17] and comes to a turning area and car park on Wybung Head Rd[18] (120m south-west of Wybung Trig).

(2km) Int of Geebung Track and Wybung Head Rd → Upper end of Grass Tree Track

distance 50 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent 0m Very easy
Veer right: From the car park and turning circle, this walk heads north-east (towards the ocean) along the road[19]. After 60m, just before the right-hand bend, this walk comes to an intersection with the faint 'Grass Tree Track' on the left[20], just as the heath becomes taller.

(2km) Upper end of Grass Tree Track → Tip of Wybung Head

distance 790 m time 15 mins climb 1m descent -74m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill, towards the ocean along Wybung Head Rd. Soon after passing a sweeping right-hand bend, the walk come to a car park and the end of Wybung Head Rd, signposted 'Wybung Head'[21].
Continue straight: From the locked gate at the car park[22] (at the end of Wybung Head Rd), this walk heads downhill along the management trail. The trail soon passes a track (on the left, that leads to the whale watching area), and continues downhill along the wide trail to find the grand ocean views[23]. The trail then bends left and passes along the top of an unfenced cliff[24]. As the trail flattens out, it passes a grassy clearing and ends on the narrow saddle[25], with views up and down the coast.
Continue straight: From the narrow saddle, this walk follows the narrower track towards the ocean along middle of the headland[26]. The track leads up a small rise and through some heath, to then suddenly open up at the top of an unfenced cliff and view across the ocean[27]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Wybung Head

Wybung Head
Wybung Head is distinct headland found at the end of Wybung Head Rd, and provides great views up[28] and down[29] the coast. Wybung is a local Aboriginal word meaning 'Dangerous Sea'. The narrow headland has sheer unfenced cliffs all around, and sweeping views of the ocean. There is no shade, or protection from the wind. A great spot to enjoy the pounding sea.

(2km) Upper end of Grass Tree Track → Bongon Lagoon

distance 740 m time 16 mins climb 1m descent -89m Experienced only
Veer left: From the intersection (60m east of the turning area at the top of Geebung Trail[31]), this walk follows the faint Grass Tree track north over a small rise and through the dense vegetation[32]. Soon the vegetation become shorter and the distant ocean views return[33]. The track is flat for a while, then starts to head down the ridge. In places, the track is quiet eroded[34] and a few parallel tracks have formed (please try to follows the main track). As the track approaches the beach, it enters a forest of taller trees[35] and then leads to the sandy Frazer Beach, just at the bottom end of Bongon Lagoon (on the left)[36].

Frazer Beach

Frazer Beach
Frazer Beach is a 650m-wide sandy beach, facing south-east. The beach is a popular swimming area with a patrol service provided during Christmas, Easter and April School Holidays. The back of the beach is home to Bongon Lagoon[38]. Up the hill near the road is a large car park[39], several picnic tables[40], an amenities block[41] (with shower[42] and toilets[43]), an emergency phone[44] and Frazer camping ground. There is limited natural shade, but the beach is a interesting place to explore and relax.

(3km) Bongon Lagoon → Frazer Beach Picnic Area

distance 130 m time 2 mins climb 3m descent 0m Unknow grade
Veer left: From the beach, this walk heads inland across the sand, keeping Bongon Lagoon to the left. The walk soon tends right up to the lower car park, then continues uphill along the grass to the turning loop of Frazer Beach Road (on the left) and the picnic tables and shelter on the right[46].

Frazer Beach Picnic Area

Frazer Beach Picnic Area
Frazer Beach Picnic Area is found at the end of Frazer Beach Rd. There is a great view[47] over the the beach and out to sea. There are a couple of sheltered tables[48] and more unsheltered tables, as well as direct access to the beach down the stairs. An amenities block[49] is just above the upper car park, as well as an emergency telephone[50].

Maps for the Munmorah Coast Track 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 Munmorah Coast Track bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Munmorah Coast Track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Munmorah Coast Track

Altitude analysis for Munmorah Coast Track

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 5/6



Experienced only
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackRough unclear track (5/6)
SignsNo directional signs (5/6)
Experience RequiredModerate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
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

2.5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 740m has short steep hills. The remaining (55m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.5km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 740m follows a rough unclear track. The remaining (55m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

2.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 740m Has no directional signs. The remaining (180m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

2.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 740m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (180m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 2.4km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 740m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 3.1km 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 Munmorah Coast Track walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Munmorah Coast Track walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Munmorah Coast Track walk starts at the Int of Geebung Track and Campbell Dr (gps: -33.195424, 151.60157)

The Munmorah Coast Track ends at the Frazer Beach Picnic Area (gps: -33.187821, 151.62196)

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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