Lace up your hiking boots for the incredible Tomaree Coastal Walk.

Warm weather calls for long days by the water, and the Tomaree Coastal Walk gives hikers the chance to soak up the best of what Australia’s East Coast has to offer. 

Across 27 kilometres, a landscape of volcanic headlands, pristine beaches and coastal heathland unfolds against a spectacular oceanic backdrop. Here’s everything you need to know before you lace up your hiking boots this summer.

Where is the Tomaree Coastal Walk?

The Tomaree Coastal Walk can be found in Tomaree National Park in Port Stephens on the traditional land of the Worimi Aboriginal people. It’s approximately 220 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD and an approximate two-hour and 45-minute drive away.

The coastal national park spans 2318 hectares and is abundant with coastal vegetation and wildlife, including some of Australia’s most iconic species like the koala.

How long is the Tomaree Coastal Walk?

The entire self-guided Grade 4 walk from Tomaree Head Summit to Birubi Point stretches 27 kilometres. It takes approximately two to three days to complete, but hikers can undertake shorter sections of the trail:

• Tomaree Head Summit walk: A Grade 5, 2.2-kilometre return walk rewarding hikers with spectacular views across Port Stephens and the surrounding coastline. 
• Boat Harbour to Fishermans Bay: An easy to moderate six-kilometre (one-way) walk with coastal forest, secluded beaches and coastal headlands.
• One Mile to Birubi Point: A nine-kilometre (one-way) easy to moderate walk with sandy beaches and coastal headlands.
• Shoal Bay to Fingal Bay walking track: A Grade 3, five-kilometre (one-way) walk guiding hikers to the picturesque Fingal Bay.

What are the highlights along the Tomaree Coastal Walk?

Hikers are spoilt with 10 idyllic beaches along the Tomaree Coastal Walk, including Fingal Bay, One Mile Beach, Boat Harbour, Fishermans Bay and Birubi Point.

The Tomaree Head Summit is a standout location, as it offers sweeping views across Port Stephens and Stockton Beach, while the Slot Canyon lookout reveals stunning cliffside views. 

There are plenty of flora and fauna spotting opportunities on the trail, with bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, comorants, blue-tongued lizards, coastal wildflowers and banksia being found in the area.

If you’re exploring the trail between April and November, the elevated headlands provide excellent vantage points to spot breaching humpback whales as they make their yearly migration up to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Birubi Point Aboriginal Place – located near Anna Bay – is a significant site in which to learn about the Worimi People and their connection to Country. You can find Worimi artist Gerard Black’s artwork titled Matjarr nguka biinba here.

The Stockton Sand Dunes make for a spectacular finish to the walk. 

Is there accommodation along the way?

Official camping along the track is limited. The Samurai Beach campground is only accessible if you have a 4WD, so staying at nearby accommodations such as Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach is recommended.

Details

Distance: 27 kilometres

Parking: Parking can be found at Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay, One Mile Beach, Boat Harbour, Fishermans Bay, Birubi Point and Anna Bay. 

What to pack: Sturdy walking shoes, sun protection, sufficient water and snacks, swimmers and a towel. Drinking water can be found at Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay, Barry Park, One Mile Beach, Boat Harbour, Fishermans Bay and Birubi Point.

Grade: 4

Entry fee: None

Accessibility: This walk is not wheelchair friendly

For updates on the Tomaree Coastal Walk, visit the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website

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