Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

5.8 km Return

254 m

Experienced only

A great walk along the boulder strewn shoreline to the unnamed beach below Crackneck Lookout. Much of this walk is very exposed to the ocean and should not be attempted at high tide or during rough seas. Plenty of rock hopping over the boulders makes the walking harder but also makes the scenery more interesting. The shapes and textures in the rock, combined with the imposing hills and low cliffs of the coastline give quite dramatic scenery and atmosphere for the walk.

* 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 South Scenic Rd and Henrys Rd → Bottom of Henrys Rd beach access

80 m

2 mins

-18m Moderate track

From the top of the beach access track, this walk goes over the low gate and follows the management trail steeply down the hill. The walk passes a shower area, to the right, and continues a short distance down the boarded trail to Forresters Beach.

Forresters Beach

Forresters Beach is the name of a township and beach on the Central Coast of NSW. There are public toilets and a beach access path near the intersection of Crystal St and Kalakau Ave, and a beach access path near the bottom of Henrys Rd.

(0km) Bottom of Henrys Rd beach access → Northern end of Forresters Beach

800 m

15 mins

16m

-21m Hard track

Turn left: From the bottom of the Henrys Rd beach access trail, this walk goes north along the beach, keeping the ocean to the right. After a while, the walk reaches the end of the sandy beach where the rocky shoreline starts.

(1km) Northern end of Forresters Beach → Crackneck beach

2 km

45 mins

104m

-95m Experienced only

Continue straight: From the northern end of Forresters Beach, this walk follows the coast north, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk travels over the rocky, boulder-covered shoreline for quite a while, with a lot of rock-hopping involved. There is only a narrow strip between the water and the steep hills, to the left, and great care should be exercised. The imposing hills, interesting textures and shapes in the rocks, and the crashing waves all combine to provide fantastic scenery and atmosphere. A fair number of old engine blocks and other car parts are lying in the rocks, rusting away slowly. The walk eventually reaches the unnamed beach beneath Crackneck Lookout, covered in rounded fist-sized rocks. Note: This section of the walk may be impassible at high tide or during high seas.

Crackneck Beach

This unnamed beach is below Crackneck Lookout and can be reached with some difficulty by walking along the very rocky shoreline from Forresters Beach, to the south, or from Bateau Bay beach, to the north. The beach is covered in rounded rocks about the size of a fist.

Maps for the Forresters Beach to Crackneck 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.

Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach

Altitude analysis for Forresters Beach to Crackneck 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.

		Length	5.8 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 5/6 Experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
		Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 2.1km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 800m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2km of this walk follows a rough unclear track and another 800m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (80m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.8km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 80m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 2km of this walk requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 880m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 2km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 880m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

2km of this walk has no facilities provided and another 800m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (80m) 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 Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach walk.

Wyrrabalong Shoreline walk

4.6 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk runs along the shoreline from Bateau Bay to Forresters Beach, in the southern section of Wyrrabalong National Park. The walk is very exposed to the ocean and should not be done at high tide or during rough seas. Much of the shoreline is strewn with boulders, which makes the walking harder

Total climbing: 183m

Experienced only

Wyrrabalong Coast Walk circuit

9.1 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

A fairly tough but fantastic walk in the southern section of Wyrrabalong National Park. This walk runs through a long, thin strip of beautiful coastal forest, with fantastic views of the coastline from many vantage points along the way, and returns via the boulder-strewn shoreline and beaches. There

Total climbing: 348m

Experienced only

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach walk.

Wyrrabalong lookout

382 m Return, 15 mins

A short walk to Wyrrabalong Lookout, at the top of Cromarty Hill, with stunning views along the coastline near Forresters Beach. There are picnic tables and plenty of grassy area. Hang gliders and paragliders using the adjacent launch point, when the weather permits, add some interest.

Total climbing: 20m

Moderate track

Wyrrabalong Lookout to Crackneck Lookout

1.6 km One way, 45 mins

The fantastic scenic walk includes some of the highlights of the longer Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track. The walk passes through a variety of beautiful forest landscapes, and there are excellent views of the coastline from many spots along the way, including the lookouts at the start and finish of t

Total climbing: 56m

Moderate track

Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout

646 m One way, 15 mins

A great short walk through some beautiful coastal forest, with some brilliant coastal views along the way. Crackneck Lookout, at the end of the walk, is a great spot for a picnic lunch, enjoying the views and atmosphere of this part of Wyrrabalong National Park. If you are doing this as a return wal

Total climbing: 17m

Moderate track

Bateau Bay Picnic Area to Crackneck lookout

1.7 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

A short version of the Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track, this walk covers some of the highlights through this long thin strip of beautiful coastal forest, with fantastic views of the coastline from many vantage points along the way. Crackneck Lookout, at the end of the walk, has stunning views and wo

Total climbing: 99m

Moderate track

Bateau Bay Beach loop

892 m Circuit, 30 mins

A short and very scenic walk around the beautiful Bateau Bay, taking in the stunning views from the hilltop picnic areas, as well as a walk along the beach. There are well-built steps and paths to make the beach access easier. Lunch at one of the picnic areas would really enhance this walk and its s

Total climbing: 25m

Hard track

Bateau Bay Beach to Crackneck Beach

3.4 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

A great walk along the beach and rocky shoreline near Bateau Bay. The unnamed, rocky beach below Crackneck Lookout is a beautiful spot and there are plenty of interesting shapes and textures in the rocks and rockshelf along the way. There is a bit of rockhopping, but much less than when approaching

Total climbing: 99m

Experienced only

Strangler Fig Walk

2 km Return, 1 Hr

Starting from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area, you will head past Seymour Pond and along Toomey Walk to the Strangler Fig platform. You will see two magnificent examples of Strangler Fig trees - one growing on a large rock and the other forming a knotted tubular structure. A lovely walk through the den

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Seymour Pond

890 m Return, 30 mins

This short walk takes you from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area to Seymour Pond. The pond was made to support a farm that was once in the area, and now the pond support many water birds. There is a simple picnic area and plenty of shady spots at the pond, making a nice place to sit and enjoy the birds.

Total climbing: 45m

Easy track

Watermans Walk

1.6 km Circuit, 45 mins

This lovely walk start from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area and circumnavigates Seymour Pond. On this walk, you will head through a few palm-filled valleys, discover a Strangler Fig Tube (on a side trip) and are likely to see a few water birds. Take some snacks and enjoy one of the resting areas - sit q

Total climbing: 67m

Easy track

Katandra Reserve Explorer

5.3 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the many highlights of Katandra Reserve. Starting at the lower picnic area, you circumnavigate Seymour Pond via the Waterman Walk, then discover some wonderful Strangler Fig trees in the rainforest. As the walk climbs, the forest dries out a little, which opens u

Total climbing: 350m

Moderate track

Matcham to Gosford

8.5 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts at the bottom of Katandra Reserve and heads up the hill, exploring the ridge on the way to Gosford Station. You will visit a wide variety of plant communities and some lovely vistas over the surrounding towns and water. Along some of the secluded sections, you may forget that you

Total climbing: 381m

Hard track

Guringai Walk

1.2 km Circuit, 45 mins

This is a surprisingly spectacular walk, following the base of the cliff below St Johns Lookout. From the car park, you will follow a gentle track through the bush before heading down some stairs to the cliff face. Handrails and timber walkways have been installed to make this walk more accessible.

Total climbing: 80m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach walk starts and ends at the Int of South Scenic Rd and Henrys Rd (gps: -33.410960, 151.46547)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Wyrrabalong National Park

Wyrrabalong National park on the NSW Central Coast is divided into two main sections. The northern section sits between the South Pacific Ocean and Tuggerah Lake (with the Central Coast Hwy cutting up the middle) south of Norah Head. The south section covers a coastal strip from Forresters Beach to Bateau Bay. The park is rich with great views, sandy beaches and the last significant coastal rainforest in the area. A great place for walking, swimming, fishing and relaxing.

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