Wyrrabalong National Park: Between the lakes and the ocean

Surrounded by water-loving suburbs, Wyrrabalong National Park is the place to be

Situated on the northern end of the Central Coast, Wyrrabalong National Park is split across the beautiful beaches and lakes of the Central Coast, from the golden sands of Forresters Beach, to the calm waters of Tuggerah Lake.

With this national park being spread across our water-loving suburbs, you can imagine there’s so much to see and do, so here’s our top five suggestions:

A couple standing amongst the grass of a lookout
Wyrrabalong Lookout
Image by @crottison
A group of friends enjoying lunch at a picnic table that overlooks a coastline
Crackneck Point Lookout
Destination Central Coast x James Vodicka

Wyrrabalong Lookout

At the top of Cromarty Hill Road in Forresters Beach, Wyrrabalong Lookout is a great spot to start your adventure of this coastal wonderland. From this vantage point, you can see Forresters Beach, Wamberal and all the way to The Skillion at Terrigal!

Crackneck Point Lookout

Crackneck Point Lookout should be added to your bucket list if you’ve ever wanted to see whales migrating. It’s a great spot overlooking The Entrance, Shelly Beach and Norah Head.

A wooden staircase leading to a secluded beach
The Coast Walking Track
Destination Central Coast x James Vodicka
A lady with a yellow helmet and green jersey on a bicycle riding on a shared pathway through bushland
Magenta Shared Pathway
Destination Central Coast x @wherestheway

The Coast Walking Track

If you’re keen to visit both Wyrrabalong Lookout and Crackneck Lookout, take on the Coast Walking Track. This 3-kilometre one-way walking track runs through a narrow strip of forest between Forresters and Bateau Bay, offering incredible views of the northern end of the coast, with glimpses of migrating whales from May to November.

Magenta Shared Pathway

For those looking for a longer adventure on foot or by bike, the brand-new Magenta Shared Pathway is ideal. Stretching 6.3 kilometres from The Entrance North toward Toukley, this smooth, scenic trail is perfect for walking or cycling. Along the way, take a break at the elevated viewing platform to soak up uninterrupted views of the surrounding waterways and wetlands.

A couple walking through an unmarked trail in bushland
Red Gum trail
Image by David Ross
A wooden sandy boardwalk leading to a calm beach
Pelican Beach
Image by John Spencer/DPE

Red Gum and Lillypilly loop trail

To dive a little deeper into the heart of the National Park, go off the beaten path and explore the Red Gum & Lillypilly loop trail. This peaceful circuit is a great addition if you’re completing the Magenta Shared Pathway walk, and looking to be taken through some of the park’s most diverse bushland, from towering red gums to lush patches of native lilly pilly.

Pelican Beach

This is the last stop along your exploration of Wyrrabalong National Park, and boy is it a beauty. Pelican Beach is a long stretch of beach, with a small viewing platform offering panoramic views all the way back to The Entrance. This spot is popular amongst the locals for surfers and swimmers, so make sure to pack your swimmers with you during your visit!

PLEASE NOTE – Pelican Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards.

Avid National Park visitor?
Check out the annual NSW All Parks Pass that will give you vehicle entry to all of the National parks on the Central Coast, and the rest of New South Wales including Kosciuszko National Park!
 

To stay up to date on any closures or safety alerts for each activity within Wyrrabalong National Park, please check NSW National Park’s website ahead of your visit.