National park · Australia
Bouddi National Park
Go for a half day: park at Putty Beach, walk the Box Head Track to the headland (1.5–2 h return) or take the Maitland Bay Track down to the beach from the Scenic Road (1–1.5 h return); for the long coast route, walk the Bouddi Coastal Walk from Putty Beach east to Macmasters Beach (check the official distance and time).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
Mar–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²)
- Land area is small; the park also has a marine extension protecting the reef and rock platforms offshore (check).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- Mar–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Sydney
Bouddi National Park is a small, narrow strip of coast on the Central Coast of New South Wales, about 1.5 h north of Sydney, between Wagstaffe in the west and Macmasters Beach in the east. It packs three beaches, two headlands and a marine extension into roughly 15 km² of land, so a half day on foot covers the best of it. The Bouddi Coastal Walk links Putty Beach, Maitland Bay and the eastern beaches; Box Head and Gerrin Point are the winter whale-watching lookouts. There is no lodge or shop inside the park: you camp at Putty Beach, Little Beach or Tallow Beach, or sleep in Killcare, Hardy's Bay or Woy Woy and drive in. Walking in is free; driving to the Putty Beach car park carries a vehicle fee, and camping must be booked with NSW National Parks before arrival.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1967.
Size and age
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (15 km²) · national park since 1967
Land area is small; the park also has a marine extension protecting the reef and rock platforms offshore (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sydney.
Why go
- A coastal walk with beaches, cliffs and eucalypt forest in one short day, 1.5 h north of Sydney.
- Maitland Bay is a sheltered swimming beach reached only on foot or by boat.
- Box Head and Gerrin Point lookouts are land-based whale-watching spots in winter.
- The marine extension protects reef and rock-platform life close to shore.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot; swim early, walk before 10:00Hot; swim early, walk before 10:00 AM
- FebWarm; afternoon storms possible
- MarMild, settled, fewer people
- AprClear and comfortable for walking
- MayCool, dry; whales start passing
- JunWhale season; bring a jacket
- JulPeak humpback migration offshore
- AugWhales still moving; crisp days
- SepWarming; wildflowers on the heath
- OctPleasant, but weekend crowds return
- NovWarm; watch for snakes on tracks
- DecHot and busy; beaches packed at midday
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whales offshoreMay–Sep · Watch from Box Head and Gerrin Point; bring binoculars. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Birds, including sea eagles and honeyeatersAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers on the heathAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Snakes and ticks on the tracksOct–Mar · Stay on the track and wear covered shoes. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sydney
M1 motorway north to Gosford, then Avoca Drive and Empire Bay Drive to Killcare; park at Putty Beach.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Woy Woy
Train from Sydney to Woy Woy, then a taxi or bus toward Killcare; the last stretch is not walkable with gear.
1.5–2 h
From Palm Beach or Ettalong
Ferry to Wagstaffe, then walk into the park from the west end.
30–60 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Putty Beach and Box Head | Main car park, campground, beach and the track out to Box Head lookout. | Open; vehicle fee at the entry. |
| Maitland Bay | Sheltered beach below the cliffs, reached on foot from Putty Beach or Little Beach. | Open; no vehicle access. |
| Little Beach and Tallow Beach | Quieter eastern beaches with campgrounds. | Open; steep steps down to the sand. |
| Marine extension | Reef and rock platforms offshore, including the Maitland Bay area. | No fishing or collecting; snorkelling and diving allowed. |
Sketch map
- 1Putty Beach car park and campground · Gate≈-33.517, 151.361Map ↗
- 2Box Head lookout · Viewpoint≈-33.528, 151.381Map ↗
- 3Gerrin Point lookout · Viewpoint≈-33.531, 151.383Map ↗
- 4Maitland Bay · Beach≈-33.523, 151.381Map ↗
- 5Little Beach campground · Sleep≈-33.498, 151.418Map ↗
- 6Wagstaffe ferry wharf · Ranger station≈-33.510, 151.340Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the coast from Wagstaffe to Little Beach, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for walk-in visitors. |
| Vehicle entry at Putty Beach | Free | vehicle per day | NSW national parks charge a vehicle fee at some car parks; the current Bouddi rate is check — confirm on the NSW National Parks page before you drive in. |
| Camping at Putty Beach, Little Beach or Tallow Beach | AUD 12–25 (≈ US$8–17) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; book online before you go (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Aboriginal heritage tour permit or guide
Park rules
- Fishing in the marine extension
- Fishing rules follow the mapped marine sanctuary and habitat protection zones; check the zone map at the entry or the NSW marine park rules before you fish.
- Bikes
- Ride only on the Bouddi Ridge Explorer; walking tracks are off limits.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the national park, including the beaches.
- Fires
- No fires outside the provided campground fireplaces; total fire bans apply in summer.
- Camping
- Only at Putty Beach, Little Beach and Tallow Beach campgrounds, with a booking.
Where to stay
In the park
Putty Beach Campground
Behind the beach at the main car park; walk-in sites, book ahead.
In the park
Little Beach and Tallow Beach campgrounds
Smaller sites on the eastern beaches, reached on foot.
Near the park
Killcare and Hardy's Bay
Holiday houses and a few small places 10 min from the park.
Near the park
Woy Woy or Gosford
Motels and hotels with shops and restaurants, 20–30 min away.
Safety
Cliff edges and loose rock medium
Swimming at unpatrolled beaches medium
Heat and lack of water medium
Bushfire high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Putty Beach car park, beach and campground are close to the road with firm ground.
- The coastal walk, Maitland Bay steps and Bullimah Spur are steep and sandy; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on formed tracks; the heath and cliff-top vegetation is fragile.
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins in the park.
- Keep distance from whales and dolphins; do not approach by boat or drone.
- Use the campground water and toilet facilities rather than the bush.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bouddi National Park?
Walking in is free. Driving to the Putty Beach car park may carry a NSW national parks vehicle fee — the current rate is check, so confirm it on the official park page before you go. Camping is extra and must be booked.
What are the best hikes in Bouddi National Park?
The Bouddi Coastal Walk from Putty Beach to Macmasters Beach is the long one, through Maitland Bay (check the official distance and time). For something shorter, the Box Head Track (1.5–2 h return) gives the best lookout, and the Maitland Bay Track is a steep 1–1.5 h return to the beach.
When is the best time to visit Bouddi National Park?
March to August: mild walking weather and the humpback migration offshore from May to August. December to February is hot and busy, so start before 10:00 and carry water.
Can I camp in Bouddi National Park?
Yes, at Putty Beach, Little Beach and Tallow Beach campgrounds. Book online with NSW National Parks first; sites are small and fill in school holidays.
Can I get there without a car?
Partly. Train to Woy Woy, then a taxi or bus toward Killcare, or ferry to Wagstaffe and walk in from the west. The park itself is best covered on foot.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Dogs are not allowed anywhere in the national park, including the beaches.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go