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This NSW coastal walk traverses ancient volcanic terrain, rugged headlands and hidden beaches

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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?

three people standing on the Tomaree Coastal Walk summit
Spectacular views at the summit of the Tomaree Coastal Walk. (Image: DParsons DPE)

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 Slot Canyon lookout, Tomaree Coastal Walk
Slot Canyon lookout boasts unbeatable cliffside views. (Image: DParsons DPE)

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.

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What are the highlights along the Tomaree Coastal Walk?

exploring the Birubi Point Aboriginal Place, Tomaree Coastal Walk
Learn about the Worimi People at the Birubi Point Aboriginal Place. (Image: DParsons DPE)

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.

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Details

walking along a coastal forest at Boat Harbour, Tomaree Coastal Walk
Walk through a secluded coastal forest from Boat Harbour to Fishermans Bay. (Image: DParsons DPE)

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

Discover the best things to do in Port Stephens.

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is a freelance travel journalist. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love, Bed Threads and Australian Traveller/International Traveller. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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8 reasons it’s time to explore Lismore’s vibrant villages

(Image: Visit Lismore)

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
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    Think you know Lismore? Think again. From pop-up feasts to a buzzing nightlife to a thriving arts scene, discover a new side of the Northern Rivers.

    Scratch beneath the surface of Lismore and its surrounding villages and you’ll discover a side of the Northern Rivers many travellers don’t expect. Here lies a region bursting with creativity, where vibrant street art, innovative eateries and enriching cultural experiences shape everyday life. Best of all, it’s authentic, and can be enjoyed without the crowds. Here are eight reasons why it deserves a closer look.

    1. Nights come to life

    Lismore's vibrant villages have Patrons enjoying a night out at Eltham Hotel.
    Stay out a little longer and experience the vibrant nightlife. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    The Lismore region stirs after the sun sets, with wine bars, pub gigs, pop-up dinners and live music events at atmospheric country pubs and halls. The Eltham Hotel is a hinterland institution, its verandah regularly echoing with rootsy live music. Nimbin Bush Theatre’s Sonic Bloom nights bring pop-up dinners, films and DJ sets. The Channon Tavern hosts weekend sessions, while Il Carretto’s pizza nights fill Clunes Cafe on Thursday nights and Bexhill Hall on Fridays. Rider Taco Pop Up also brings a laid-back Mexican feast to Clunes, where guests spread out on the grass or gather in the old hall to share freshly made tacos.

    2. A thriving arts and culture scene

    Racing on Molesworth Steet, Lismore for the BBCC Lismore Cycling Festival. Lismore's vibrant villages is filled with murals.
    Follow the Art & Culture Trail. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    The Northern Rivers has long attracted artists, makers and free thinkers, and nowhere is that creative energy more evident than in Lismore and its neighbouring hamlets. The city’s Art & Culture Trail shines a spotlight on the city’s flourishing arts scene, linking galleries, studios and public art across the region. Start at the Lismore Regional Gallery, which has a dynamic mix of contemporary works and community-focused exhibitions. Also keep an eye out for events at The Quad, an open-air space that lights up with live music, projections and family-friendly events. Beyond the city, discover the colourful street murals of Nimbin, browse local art at Blue Knob Gallery or get your hands dirty during a clay workshop at Silt Studio.

    3. Boutique shopping

    Inside Two Ravens Antiques & Collectables in Lismore's vibrant villages.
    Uncover one-of-a-kind finds. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    For travellers who love discovering independent labels and one-of-a-kind finds, Lismore and its nearby villages offer a treasure trove of boutiques. Here, you’ll find everything from clothes and hand-crafted trinkets to books and homewares, each store reflecting the personality of its makers and curators. Highlights include Hanging Rock Flowers, where seasonal blooms meet beautifully chosen artisan gifts, and Two Ravens Antique and Vintage, where a collection of objects whisper stories of the past. Little Polli and the Blackbird offers whimsical fashion and homewares, while Folk Modern champions eclectic textiles and global finds and Valley of the Craftsmen showcases refined handmade artistry.

    4. Diverse food offerings

    Bartenders at the The Levee Lounge and Bar, Lismore
    Settle in for an evening of great drinks and live tunes. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    Lismore’s dining scene is celebrated for its paddock-to-plate produce, global cuisines and cafe culture. At Two Mates Brewing small-batch beers are crafted for easy afternoons, often best enjoyed with a food truck bite, while The Levee Lounge and Bar brings a touch of Melbourne-style polish to town, with cocktails and wine served against the hum of live music.

    Heritage bones meet a modern buzz at The Bank Cafe & Espresso, while smoked meats and fried chicken take centre stage at The Stockpot Kitchen. Housed in a former butter factory, Channon Tavern is the ideal place to while away the day on the grass by Terania Creek, and the The Eltham Hotel offers an upscale food menu with old school charm.

    Find Annies Country Bakery in Modanville on Lismore’s Great Pie Trail, serving award-winning pies, open every day, it’s a great stop on a scenic drive on route to nearby national parks and Rocky Creek Dam. Or pop into Clunes Cafe for regular hosted dinners, each with its own unique flair. Listen to live music while you’re there, and maybe even join in a line dance.

    5. Alternative lifestyles reign

    Streetscape of Nimbin with buskers, Northern Rivers
    Discover a place where freedom, art and community are part of everyday life. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)

    This area has long been a free-spirited community, where counterculture values and creative expression shape everyday life. Its roots trace back to the 1973 Aquarius Festival, when thousands gathered in the hills near Nimbin and the one-time dairy town’s once-quiet streets were painted in kaleidoscopic colour. Many never left, establishing communes and laying the foundations of a community built on sustainability and freedom. Events such as the annual Nimbin MardiGrass festival keep its activist, grassroots spirit alive, while continuing to welcome diverse travellers in search of something a little different.

    6. Breathtaking nature on the doorstep

    Person enjoying a walk through the rainforest in Nightcap National Park.
    Step into a world of ancient forests. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    Lismore acts as the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular ancient Gondwana rainforests and untouched wilderness. Nearby Nightcap National Park offers UNESCO-listed rainforest walks and waterfalls, while Rocky Creek Dam is a tranquil spot for picnics and birdlife – and you may even spot a platypus if your timing is right. Whian Whian State Conservation Area reveals lush subtropical trails and hidden swimming holes, while the Northern Rivers Rail Trail winds through farmland and forest, passing historic railway bridges along the way.

    7. Boutique stays

    Contained in Nimbin Accommodation.
    Experience award-winning eco stays. (Image: Contained in Nimbin)

    Accommodation in the Lismore region tends to favour character over gloss, with stays that trade uniform luxury for a stronger sense of place and personality. Lismore Gateway Motel and Invercauld House offer easy comfort close to Lismore CBD, while The Eltham Hotel pairs a lively pub atmosphere with individually designed rooms that reflect the building’s heritage character. Nightcap Ridge secluded luxury eco retreat and Rummery Park Campground in Whian Whian State Conservation Area, and Contained in Nimbin’s award-winning eco cabins, all bring you closer to nature.

    8. Form community connections

    Crowds enjoying the Lismore Lantern Parade on the North Coast.
    Celebrate winter solstice at the Lismore Lantern Parade. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    If you are wanting to immerse yourself more in the community, there are some standout events that embrace Lismore’s individuality. Lismore is known for its markets, so they’re a great place to start. The fire twirling at Lismore’s weekly Thursday produce markets makes for a particularly fun spectacle.

    Friday Meet and Make offers relaxed crafting at The Artisans Table, while Fire Twirling in The Quad delivers a high energy evening spectacle. The legendary Tropical Fruits New Years Eve Festival is a bold celebration of inclusion; Lismore Lantern Parade glows through streets with handmade lanterns on the winter solstice and Italian festival LisAmore! brings music and romance to the town.

    Start planning the ultimate getaway at visitlismore.com.au