Palm Tree Circuit Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

20 mins

609 m Circuit

37 m

Moderate track

This circuit walk explores the valley of palm trees and the dry woodland on the ridge. Starting from the back of the Palms Picnic Area, this walk follows an arrow through a palm forest then across a small creek and up a hill. At the top of the hill is an information sign, where the walk turns left and heads down the ridge, passing more palms before heading back to the picnic area. A great walk before lunch at the picnic area.

Walking up this hill on the Palm Tree Circuit Track

sign halfway along the Palm Tree Circuit Track

Several information signs on the Palm Tree Circuit Track

The Palms Picnic Area

The Palms Picnic Area is found nestled among the palm trees[1], 140m along Frazer Beach Rd from Campbell Dr. From the small car park, a short path leads over a small arched timber bridge to the picnic area[2]. There are two BBQs[3] under a shelter[4] and a couple of picnic tables. There is also a garbage and recycling bin. A good spot to enjoy the cool shaded forest and the picnic facilities. A sign[5] also gives some information on the Palms Tree Circuit Track that starts here.

(0km) The Palms Picnic Area → Opening Up intersection

310 m

8 mins

33m

0m Moderate track

From the back of the Palms Picnic area[6] (140m along Frazer Beach Rd from Campbell Dr), this walk follows the arrow post[7] from behind the 'Palm Tree Circuit Track' information sign[8]. The narrow track goes between the fence posts and through a tall palm forest, passing a 'Closed Forest' information sign[9]. The walk crosses a small timber bridge[10] and turns left, soon crossing a small creek[11]. The track then starts to climb up the hill and leads to a three-way intersection marked with an 'Opening Up' information sign[12].

(0km) Opening Up intersection → The Palms Picnic Area

300 m

7 mins

-38m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, with the 'Opening Up' sign on the left[13], this walk follows the arrow post along the track and down the hill through the dry forest. As the track winds down the hill, it passes a 'Dinosaur Plants' sign (next to a good example of a Cycad)[14] then a sign pointing to 'The Palms Picnic Area'[15]. The track heads through the moister palm and fern forest to come to the back of the Palms Picnic Area a short time later[16].

Maps for the Palm Tree Circuit 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 Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	92314S CATHERINE HILL BAY	NSW-92314S
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Palm Tree Circuit Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Palm Tree Circuit Track

Altitude analysis for Palm Tree Circuit 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.

		Length	609 m
		Time	20 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally 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, 610m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 610m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 610m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 610m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 610m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 610m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Palm Tree Circuit Track walk.

Snapper Point

280 m Return, 10 mins

This short walk takes you from the great view of Snapper Point Sea Cave (at the end of Snapper Point Rd) along a management trail to Snapper Point. The area is very rocky and provides grand ocean views. The memorial on Snapper Point gives a good reminder to take care. There are views out over the

Total climbing: 5m

Moderate track

Snapper Point Beach

630 m Return, 15 mins

Snapper Point Beach is an informal name for the small beach between Frazer Beach and Snapper Point. This walk starts from the great views of the sea cave and leads out to Snapper Point. Here, the walk turns right and follows the shore to the lifebuoy, then across the rocks to the secluded beach. T

Total climbing: 24m

Experienced only

Timber Beach

768 m Return, 20 mins

Timber Beach is a secluded beach in Munmorah State Conservation Area. The walk starts from a short side road off Snapper Point Rd, at Timber Beach Lookout. From here, the walk follows an eroded track down the ridge, then bends left to cross a clearing and come to the back of Timber Beach. The bea

Total climbing: 67m

Hard track

Grass Tree Track

862 m One way, 30 mins

The Grass Tree Track links Wybung Head Rd with Frazer Beach via a ridge-top track. At the time of writing, this track was very overgrown (hence the high grade) and the trackhead difficult to find. Once on course, much of the track is clearer and quiet eroded in places. It is an interesting walk to

Total climbing: 4m

Experienced only

Wybung Head whale viewing area

142 m Return, 5 mins

This short walk starts at the end of Wybung Head Rd, leading along the top of the ridge to a fairly large clearing with sweeping ocean views. A large sign provides some information on Marine Mammals. This is a good spot to watch migrations - northern migration from June to July and southern migrati

Total climbing: 9m

Easy track

Wybung Head

804 m Return, 20 mins

Wybung Head is found at the end of Wybung Head Rd. This walk leads from the car park along a wide trail to the grand views up and down the coast from the end of the headland. A narrow track finishes the walk to the tip of Wybung Head, where there are 270-degree views of the ocean, up and down the c

Total climbing: 49m

Moderate track

Campbell Dr to Birdie Beach View (Geebung Track)

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk follows the Geebung Track to the sweeping views of Birdie Beach. From Campbell Dr, you will follow a management trail down to a creek where the Geebung Track narrows and winds through the heath to the top of the hill, where there is a view to Birdie Beach. The views south along Birdie Bea

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

Campbell Drive to Snapper Point

4.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk follows the Coast Track to Frazer Beach, along the Geebung and (overgrown) Grass Tree Tracks. From the northern end of Frazer Beach, the walk heads across the exposed rockshelf to Snapper Point Beach, then on to Snapper Point (consider tide and sea conditions before setting out). From Sna

Total climbing: 135m

Experienced only

Geebung Track

2.4 km One way, 1 Hr

The Geebung Track links Campbell Dr and Wybung Head Rd via a track through the heath. Forming part of a coastal walk, you will find occasional ocean views in addition to a great view of Birdie Beach about halfway. The Geebung Track is a great place to enjoy the wildflower display in spring and ear

Total climbing: 92m

Moderate track

Munmorah Coast Track

3.3 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

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 He

Total climbing: 96m

Experienced only

Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

1.2 km Return, 25 mins

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 n

Total climbing: 12m

Easy track

Tea Tree Picnic Area to Birdie Beach

444 m Return, 10 mins

Starting at Tea Tree Picnic Area, this short walk follows a beach access track to Birdie Beach. Along the way, the walk visits Bird Island Lookout, providing a great view of Bird Island, and up and down Birdie Beach. The walk continues down the timber path and steps, across the sand to the edge of

Total climbing: 18m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Palm Tree Circuit Track walk starts and ends at the The Palms Picnic Area (gps: -33.184725, 151.61718)

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

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.

Comments

Download PDF

Open in App

Short URL: http://wild.tl/ptct