Page 96 - 80 Walks by 80 Leaders 2

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Date: 26 February 2019
Par�cipants: Kevin Yeats, Steven Sim, Rosemary MacDougal, Bruce Worthington, Rogo Owens, John
Hungerford, Jon Hestelow, Jane�e Allan Fiore, Bob Seibright and prospec�ve Walter Harris

mountain climber, as well as a promoter of Buddhism with 4 Due to time pressures the group forewent a side trip to Tallow
books to her credit. Beach, instead heading uphill to join the ridge trail heading
The programmed walk covered the length of the coastal part of generally north east, which becomes Hawke Head Drive. Time for
the park, with spectacular views of headlands, secluded beaches, morning tea - we were able to find spots near the gates that
rainforests and heathlands, as well as some challenging rocky satisfied the need for shade, views and breeze. Hawke Head Drive
climbs and mildly-exposed scrambles. eventually heads into Hardy Bay from where we followed
The walk was preceded by a Cook’s Tour of a bus trip from Woy Grandview Crescent and worked our way down to Killcare and
Woy to Wagstaffe Store, via Umina Beach, Rip Bridge, St Huberts Pu�y Beaches. At the north-eastern end of Pu�y Beach, is a
Island and Empire Bay. This particular trip did not require the stairway to the start of the formal ‘Bouddi Coastal Walk’ with its
usual stop to allow ducks and ducklings to cross at designated walkways, boardwalks and marked tracks. We followed the walk
spots. past theTessellated Pavement andBullimah Beach to GerrinPoint
From near the Wagstaffe Store, we set off up the hill and behind with its spectacular views over Maitland Bay.
the housesto joinup withthe FlannelFlower track.That trackwas Not far a�er Gerrin Point, beside some boulders, is the start of
developed by Parks to direct walkers away from encroaching on the connec�ng track to Bullimah Spur. This is a challenging climb
private holdings. This is fortuitous as the track offers spectacular with sections of rock scrambling and with an in situ rope at one
views over Broken Bay and towards the Northern Beaches of point. However, the climb is well worth theeffort with marvellous
Walk description: Sydney. It joins up with the Box Head track heading due south - views and interes�ng vegeta�on along the Bullimah Spur track -
Wagstaffe to Copacabana viaBox Head, Bullimah Spur & Maitland Box Head is the northern entrance to Broken Bay, and has orange-barked Angophoras, Burrawangs (cycads),
Bay: Wagstaffe, Flannel Flower Track, Box Head, Killcare & Pu�y panoramic views over the Tasman Sea, Barrenjoey Headland, Lion and Xanthorrhoeas (grass trees). A side track from the Bullimah
Beaches, Gerrin Pt, Bullimah Spur, Marie Byles Lookout, Maitland Island and Broken Bay. Spur track took us to Marie Byles Lookout, and our group photo
Bay, Coastal Walk to Li�le, MacMasters & Copacabana Beaches. From the west side of the lookout, there is a rough way down and shot. From there we made our way to the taps near the
Tracks, trails, beaches, some connec�ng roads - rock scrambling around the Head, used by rock fishermen, with some mild Informa�on Centre, to replenish our water, and then took the
and rope assist up Bullimah Spur, some mild exposure at Box exposure. Eventually you can work your way down to rela�vely Maitland Bay track to the bay for lunch.
Head. Spectacular coastal views, rainforests, heathlands. Paying flat rock shelves. These shelves can be aproblem at high tide - the After lunch it was a matter of following the coastal walk via a
tribute to one of the founders of The Bush Club. Bus to Gosford at walk was programmed for low tide at this point for this reason. number of “undulations” (including Cave Gully) to theLi�le Beach
the end. Map: Broken Bay & Gosford From the rock shelves a well-worn track heads through low heath camping area, and from there to the suburb of MacMasters
to Little Tallow Beach. This beach is a small 50m stretch of sand, Beach. From Beachview Esplanade beside Number 51, the
Report: wedged into a rocky outcrop and backed by a steep gully and MacMasters Beach WalkingTrack heads towards the coast to join
Bouddi Na�onal Park on the Central Coast was declared in 1935 rocky headwalls. Macmaster Parade, and from beside number 37, a walkway drops
a�er an active conserva�on campaign by bushwalkers and From Little Tallow Beach, the track climbs uphill through heath to down to Marine Parade and MacMasters Beach. Then beach
environmentalists, with The Bush Club’s joint founder MarieByles join a management trail heading down to Tallow Beach. A walking along MacMasters past Cockrone Lagoon and onto
taking a leading role. She is honoured in the park with the Marie “missing link” for a truly coastal walk in Bouddi is between Tallow Copacabana Beach.
Byles Lookoutwhere the group photo was taken. She was the first Beach and Pu�y Beach. While it is possible at low tide to rock hop We arrived early for the 5:20 pm bus to Gosford so walkers had
practising female solicitor in NSW, an active campaigner for around the headland, this has dangers with slippery rocks and time for ice-creams and/or cold drinks from the shops and in one
women’s rights and interests, a world traveller, trekker and certain spots subject to swell even at low tide. case a quick swim at the beach.
Report by: Kevin Yeats 86 Photo: taken by a bystander, submi�ed by Steven Sim