| Time: | 3 hrs |
| Distance: | 9km |
| Fitness: | EM |
| Skill: | EM |
| Ascent: | 140m |
| Maps: | LPI Broken Bay 9130-1N 1:25000 |
Introduction
Maitland Bay in Bouddi National Park is a secluded beach, accessible only by walking. It is a great spot for a swim in summer. This walk visits Maitland Bay and Putty Beach, in the central part of Bouddi. While summer is best to take advantage of swimming opportunities, other times of the year are good as long as a southerly wind is not blowing.
Access
If coming by car from Sydney, take the Gosford exit off the M1 Motorway, and make your way to the Maitland Bay Centre, opposite Maitland Bay Drive on the The Scenic Road at Killcare Heights. This is about a 30 minute drive from the motorway exit, via Woy Woy Rd, Empire Bay Dr and Wards Hill Rd.
Public transport - other than say a taxi from Woy Woy Station - is not practical as bus services are too infrequent during the week, and don't run on weekends.
Track notes
From 17 Jul 2004, last checked 20 Oct 2018
From the car park at the Maitland Bay Centre, walk south and then east along the Scenic Road, stopping at the Marie Byles Lookout after 350m. Look for an old fire trail turn off to the left just over 400m past the lookout, and follow it for about 200m to the end of Jacqueline St. Turn right into Jacqueline St and follow the road for 300m to the T intersection between Babs Rd, Macdonald Rd and Jacqueline St. You will see a foot track marked with a sign to your left here.
Follow this track down to Putty Beach. It is a bit indistinct at times, but generally the track tends down to the right. At the reserve at the bottom, make your way down to the beach and head for the rocks at the east end. The patterns in the sandstone here are fantastic.
Locate the stairs at the north end of the beach which lead to the Bouddi Coastal Walk, and follow them. The path winds its way along the cliff top for the next kilometre to Gerrin Point, with good views down on to the rock platforms below. If you feel inclined, there is a short detour down to the secluded Bullimah Beach about 500m along this trail. Otherwise continue on to the lookout at Gerrin Point, with views of Maitland Bay and the marine reserve.
Continue along the track for a further kilometre to a T intersection. Take a right turn here and head down for a short distance to Maitland Bay. The bay is an excellent spot for a swim in summer, and a nice spot for a leisurely lunch at other times of the year. Note that the beach is unpatrolled, so you should be extra careful if you are swimming.
You should take the time to wander out to Bouddi Pt at the east end of the beach. Take care along the rocks with the tides. There are more spectacular patterns and formations in the sandstone here, and at low tide you pass some remains of the SS Maitland, wrecked on the Maitland Bombora off the point in 1898.
When you are ready to go, walk back along the beach to the track you came down on and head up, passing the track from Gerrin Point. Towards the top there is a good lookout on your right, on a large rock platform, out over Maitland Bay.
A little further on, take the track on your left to Bullimah Lookout. This winds its way along the ridge through open forest for about a kilometre to another good lookout, this time over Putty Beach and Broken Bay. After admiring the views, return to the main track and head up to the car park.