Maitland Bay via Bouddi Coastal Walk

Details

2.7km one way

2 hours

Swimming

Short walk

Easy

This walk follows the Bouddi Coastal Walk, stopping by Putty Beach, The Tessellated Pavement, Bullimah Beach, Gerrin Point Lookout and finally, Maitland Bay, one of the most pristine beaches of the Central Coast. Although there are some graded parts, this walk is fairly short which makes it great for kids and adults of most fitness levels. There are three other tracks which lead to Maitland Bay, but this one is the easiest and quite possibly the most scenic. Please note: There is an $8 NPWS entry fee into the Putty Beach Campground where this walk starts.

The walk begins at the eastern end of Putty Beach Campground. From here, walk to the eastern side of Putty Beach where there is a staircase and a sign for the Bouddi Coastal Walk. About 150 metres along the track, you will reach the coastline where a boardwalk starts. Be sure not to miss the Tessellated Pavement which is 450 metres from the start of the boardwalk. A little bit further along, you will see some interesting wave-like sandstone formations, as well as a 50-metre optional side-track to the secluded Bullimah Beach. To proceed to Maitland Bay, take the left track at the fork. The walk continues over a number of steps until it reaches Gerrin Point Lookout. From here you can see Maitland Bay and Bouddi Point. Continue left from the lookout and be sure to spot the small sandstone cave on the left about 350 metres past the lookout. Walk along the track for another 1.3km, taking in the views of the sandstone escarpment to the left of you, until you reach the intersection of Bouddi Coastal Walk and the Maitland Bay Track. From here, turn right and continue along the walk for 210 metres until you reach Maitland Bay.

From here you can choose to retrace your steps and head back to Putty Beach or keep walking to the eastern side of the bay where the beach is sheltered from the swell, making it a nice swim spot in Summer with its crystal clear waters. An optional extension of the walk is to continue past Maitland Bay towards Bouddi Lookout, Little Beach and the beachside towns of MacMasters Beach and Copacabana.