Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

646 m One way

17 m

Moderate track

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 walk, the alternative exit to Stephenson Rd, through some beautiful forest scenery, is a nice way to finish.

(0km) End of Stephenson Rd → Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track

130 m

2 mins

-1m Moderate track

From the end of Stephenson Rd, Bateau Bay, this walk passes around the gate and follows the management trail up the hill. The trail passes a house and then several large water tanks, to the left, before narrowing and going a short distance further to an intersection with a sandy track.

(0km) Int of Coast Track and southern Stephenson Rd access track → Int of Coast Track and northern Stephenson Rd access track

220 m

5 mins

-17m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy bush track north, keeping the ocean to the right. The track passes through lovely bush with plenty of grass trees for a short distance before reaching an intersection with another sandy bush track, to the left, marked with several wooden posts and a signpost (indicating walkers are permitted but no dogs or motorbikes).

(0km) Int of Coast Track and northern Stephenson Rd access track → 14 Stephenson Rd

210 m

4 mins

-6m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy bush track away from the ocean, past the wooden posts and track signpost. The walk meanders through a beautiful patch of forest and emerges at a vacant block at 14 Stephenson Rd, Bateau Bay.

(0km) Int of Coast Track and northern Stephenson Rd access track → Crackneck Lookout

300 m

6 mins

11m

-8m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy bush track north, leaving the signpost behind on the left. After a very short distance, the walk arrives at a junction with the end of a sandy management trail, marked with some timber posts.
Veer left: From the junction at the end of the management trail, this walk follows the management trail north. Ignoring numerous side tracks (some of which lead to clifftop viewpoints), the walk continues along the trail for a while before passing a National Park information board, to the right, then passing around a gate and arriving at Crackneck Lookout.

Crackneck Lookout

This lookout, at the end of Hilltop St, Bateau Bay, has stunning views up and down the coastline, and out to sea. There are picnic tables and an information board about marine mammals. There is a hangliding launch spot beside the lookout.

Maps for the Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout 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 Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout

Altitude analysis for Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout

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	646 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited 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

Around 620m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 25m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 400m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 240m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 370m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 270m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 650m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 650m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 370m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 270m 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 Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout walk.

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

Wyrrabalong Coast Walking Track

3.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

An excellent 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. The two main lookouts along the way, Crackneck and Wyrrabalong, have stunning vi

Total climbing: 178m

Moderate track

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 Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout 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

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

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

Forresters Beach to Crackneck Beach

5.8 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

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 mor

Total climbing: 254m

Experienced only

St Johns Lookout

166 m Return, 10 mins

This is a very short walk across the picnic area to the lookout - you can see the end of the walk from the start. The council has installed a sandstone footpath that arcs around the picnic area and leads to St Johns Lookout. The path also leads to picnic tables and accessible toilets. You will als

Total climbing: 13m

Very easy

Katandra Circuit

4.8 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

This walk explores many highlights in Katandra Reserve. Starting from St Johns Lookout, this walk winds down the hill into the much denser forest of the valley, enjoy many interesting rock formations on the way. Once in the valley, you walk past some fantastic examples of strangler figs before hea

Total climbing: 308m

Moderate track

Toomeys Walk

2.9 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the diverse forests of Katandra Reserve. Starting with the views from St Johns Lookout, this walk heads through the open forest, past many mossy rocks, then heads into the valley and rainforest. On the valley floor, the walk gently meanders past some great examp

Total climbing: 135m

Moderate 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

Graves Walk

1.5 km One way, 45 mins

On this walk, you follow the signposted Graves Walk between the two main picnic area in Katandra Reserve. Starting near St Johns Lookout, this walk follows Graves Walking track down the ridge. You will see some valley views, open drier forest, some faint Aboriginal markings and plenty of interesti

Total climbing: 13m

Moderate track

Mouat Trail (Katandra to Rumbalara)

4.1 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk follows a series of tracks and management trails along the top of the ridge between Katandra and Rumbalara Reserves. You will at times think you are a million miles from anywhere and other times enjoy views across the suburbs of the Central Coast and out to sea. In spring and early summe

Total climbing: 139m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout walk starts at the End of Stephenson Rd (gps: -33.397800, 151.47933)

Bus. (get details)

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

The Stephenson Rd to Crackneck Lookout ends at the Crackneck Lookout (gps: -33.394205, 151.48302)

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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