Bouddi National Park, NSW, Australia

You want a hike with spectacular ocean views? Visit Bouddi National Park in New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the Central Coast area, far enough away from the Pacific Highway not to be too touristy.

We took the Bouddi Coastal Walk from Maitland Bay to Putty Beach, almost 5 KM.

The uplifting laughter of the kookaburras greeted us as we pulled into the parking lot, perhaps because we got mooned.

Listed as a “medium difficulty” hike, this path would be much more difficult if not for the stairs, railings, bridges and boardwalks which have been installed in recent years.

The walk down to Maitland Bay beach, 195 metres is through rugged gullies, dry eucalypt forests, gum trees, emerging spring flowers, and bottle brush bushes of all types.

Just over 1KM straight down means you have to come up again! But the very steep climb was worth the effort.

A lovely deserted sandstone-coloured beach awaited us. A gentle breeze off the ocean helped me to cool off. Tessalations and sandstone formations abound. I could have spent hours photographing. Thanks to our Canadian-born guide, Rossanne Hyde, who pulled out morning tea on cue, just at the right spot!

The path continued along the ridge, up and down (quite literally) for a few kilometres, deaking in and out of cool forest and dry desert type vegetation. Stunning vistas at almost every lookout.

We passed beautiful flannel flowers, Actinotus helianthi. Soft furry-down daisy-like flowers, exactly the texture of flannelette.

Breathtaking views of Lion Island and North Sydney in the distance.

The path and boardwalk continues along the ridge at dizzying heights, looking down at least 50 metres to the crashing surf below.

I was just really glad there were railings along certain spots!  Apparently 30 years ago this trail had none.

Local brides climb all the way up here in their gowns to get photographs taken.

And more tessalations!This sandstone platform was probably one of the highlights of the hike near Gerrin Point lookout.

As we came down the final steepest incline Putty Beach greeted us. A wide expanse of sand and surf over 1KM long.

 

All in all a spectacular way to spend three hours in Australia!