Five Breathtaking Winter Warming Walks on the Central Coast

Terrigal Beach

The Central Coast of NSW Australia welcomes the start of winter as it is an ideal time to take a deep breath and go for a hearty walk in the crisp air.  What a way to enjoy a mid-year commune with nature, something most people only think about in summer.  Boasting seven National Parks and a number of State Recreation Areas, where should you start?  With the following five favourites of course:

1.    5 Lands Walk - 9 km - MacMasters Beach to Terrigal

Over the past six years, the 5 Lands Walk has been connecting people to people and people to place.  The event has grown and developed quite a substantial following with over 10,000 people participating in the 2011 event.  Originally inspired by Italy's Cinque Terre, the 9km walk from MacMasters Beach to Terrigal has been greatly enriched by the local community spirit.  Five different cultures: Latino, Greek, Filipino, Chinese and African, will be showcased this year through art, music, dance and food en route.

The 5 Lands Walk is a wallet-free event and will take place on Saturday, 23 June 2012.  Participants have the option to undertake the entire 9 km length of the walk, complete part of the distance or drop in on any of the lands and absorb the colourful atmosphere.

The 5 Lands Walk has been designated a State Flagship Event by Destination NSW reflecting the importance to the local community and economy, tourism potential, and the character and culture of the region.

For more Information about the other activities connected with the 5 Lands walk, refer to these previous articles in The Holiday and Travel Magazine:

- Land Art on the Skillion, Terrigal, Australia   6/4/12

- A Taste of Avoca - Music and Food Festival at Avoc...   6/3/12

- Enjoy The 5 Lands Walk 6/2/12

- The 5 Lands Walk - The Awakening Ceremony   6/1/12

- Aboriginal and African Cultures Forge Spiritual Li...  5/31/12

- 5 Lands Walk Photographic Competition 2012  5/6/12

- Connections - 5 Lands Walk Art Exhibition Avoca Be...  5/3/12

- 5 Lands Walk Avoca Beach Ephemeral Sculpture Exhib...  5/1/12

For more information or to register:  http://www.5landswalk.com.au/  

2.    UNESCO World Heritage Listed, Old Great North Road, Dharug National Park

Dharug National Park, Wisemans Ferry, contains part of the 43km stretch of the convict-built, UNESCO Heritage Listed, Old Great North Road.  Built between 1826 and 1836, it contains the oldest surviving stone bridges in mainland Australia.  Allow two to three days if you plan to walk the entire length.  Basic camping facilities can be found at Ten Mile Hollow and Mogo.  Remember to take plenty of water because there is no permanent water supply along the road.

Dharug National Park

Shorter sections of the walk can also be undertaken including Devines Hill, approx seven kilometres one way.  This gradual ascent provides an insight into the hardships the convicts faced as they toiled to build the Great North Road, considered one of the most important engineering feats of the early years of the colony.  Interpretative signs are set out along the walk explaining the methods used during construction.   Add Finches Line descent on to Devines Hill ascent to create a loop walk.  Finches Line is the original ascent of the Old Great North Road which was abandoned because it was too steep. As you climb you have spectacular views over the Hawkesbury River and you can see some of the original convict built walls and culverts. The majority of this section, approx five kilometres, is along the ridge top. For more information, maps and directions:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/dharug-national-park/devines-hill-loop/walking

3.    Bouddi Coastal Walk - 8 km - Bouddi National Park

The eight kilometre one-way Bouddi Coastal walk runs from Putty Beach, Killcare to MacMasters Beach.  Boasting beautiful beaches, meandering boardwalks and colourful birdlife, this is one of the most beautiful Central Coast walks. This relatively easy hike is characterised by sweeping views, shady rainforest and inviting picnic spots.  Allow four hours to complete but if you bring your camera factor in extra time as there is a photo opportunity around every corner including snapping whales on their northern migration.  

Prefer a shorter walk?  Break the walk into shorter sections:  Putty Beach to Maitland Bay (3km), Maitland Bay to Little Beach (3.5km) or Little Beach to MacMasters Beach (1.7km) - all one way walks. For more information, map and directions: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/bouddi-national-park/bouddi-coastal-walk/walking

4.    Coast Walking Track - 3.5 km - Wyrrabalong National Park (South) 

The Coast Walking Track is three and half kilometres long linking Blue Lagoon with Wyrrabalong Lookout via Bateau Bay Beach and spectacular Crackneck Lookout - a hot spot for whale watching and sunset picnics.  Walkers will navigate through blackbutt woodlands and a spotted gum forest.  However this walks comes with a warning, walkers should watch their step during the 1.6 kilometre section between Crackneck and Wyrrabalong as it is easy to be distracted by the spectacular Pacific Ocean views.   Adventurous walkers can also test their agility along the rocks from Bateau Bay to Forresters Beach when the seas are calm and the tide is low. This return journey of approximately six kilometre passes over boulders and close to a unique grey mangrove colony growing on the rock platform.

For more information, map and directions:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wyrrabalong-national-park/the-coast-walking-track/walking  

5.    Moonee Beach Trail - 3 km - Munmorah State Conservation Area



Moonee Beach Trail



Dotted with grass trees and a myriad of birds winging across your path, this three kilometre one way walk through coastal heathland at Lake Munmorah is a delight.  The paths are wide and easy to follow and offer sweeping views over Timber, Ghosties and Moonee Beaches. In late winter and early spring, walkers will also witness a blaze of colour as wildflowers bloom across the heath.  But the real highlight of this walk reveals itself as walkers descend onto spectacular Moonee Beach.  This private sandy shoreline will have walkers feeling far from madding crowds.  Don't forget to factor in time to explore the protected rock pool area. For more information, map and directions:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/munmorah-state-conservation-area/moonee-beach-trail/walking

As detailed in the visitor statistics released by Destination NSW for the year ending December 2011, the Central Coast has outperformed the State's regional average with domestic overnight visitation increasing by 4.5% (State's regional average increased 2.6%).  No wonder with the diverse range of experiences the destination has to offer not only for walkers but for all types of visitors.  For more information on the Central Coast and to view the latest accommodation deals, go to http://www.visitcentralcoast.com.au/