Tomaree Coastal Walk in Port Stephens offers a multi-day experience like no other over 27 km. Where else can you climb a summit for sunrise, discover secluded beaches, and explore picturesque rock platforms on a journey connecting coastal villages?
Choose your own adventure and explore the walk your way over 2 or 3 days. The track retraces ancient routes used by the Worimi People and you’ll finish at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place where you can learn the stories of this land through cultural artwork. If you're keen to stay longer and explore the largest moving sand dune in the southern hemisphere visit Worimi Conservation Lands and try guided camel rides, quad biking, sandboarding, and more.
Take a short, invigorating walk 161 m up to Tomaree Head Summit; the jewel in the crown of all the lookouts in the area. Your reward is unparalleled ocean views from this photo-worthy vantage point.
Up here you can see as far as Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands – these nature reserves are the world’s only nesting sites for the endangered Gould's petrel. Try the Gould’s petrel augmented reality (AR) experience at the summit.
You can also check out some military heritage from World War II. The gun emplacements and torpedo tubes were once used to defend the east coast of Australia.
Learn about the Worimi People’s enduring connection to country when you visit Birubi Point Aboriginal Place with its cultural artwork and audio experience.
The word ‘Tomaree’ is the English translation of Gathang language ‘Dhurrumiri’. They are pronounced almost the same, and this means ‘place of rainbow’.
Start or end your walk on the edge of the culturally significant Worimi Conservation Lands where you'll find the largest moving sand dune in the southern hemisphere. Get your dose of adventure with camel rides, quad biking, sandboarding, and more.
Your feet might be on the earth but your gaze will often be out at sea, watching for dolphins, sea eagles, fur seals, and migrating humpback whales between May and November. Back on the ground, our wayfinding signs for Tomaree Coastal Walk feature a sea eagle totem to guide your way.
Although Tomaree Head Summit is highest of all the lookouts, Slot canyon lookout, Iris Moore lookout and Birubi Point Aboriginal Place are often better locations for whale watching.
There’s plenty of other wildlife that might cross your path. If you’re lucky you’ll spot an echidna hunting for ants, or there’s also a koala sanctuary you can visit at One Mile which cares for sick, injured, and orphaned koalas before they are released.
It's not often you can explore a multi-day walk in a national park yet benefit from the conveniences of seaside villages along the way.
Enjoy café meals at Fingal Bay and Birubi Point directly on your way. Use the facilities and fill up on water at Boat Harbour and Fishermans Bay.
Best of all, the holiday parks and accommodation at One Mile are perfectly located to put your feet up and stay the night, or just check out the local koala sanctuary.
And if that’s not enough, you’ve also got the larger towns of Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay and Anna Bay right on your doorstep.
One of the special things about this walk is the diversity along the way. While you'll get your fill of secluded beaches and ocean rock platforms on the edge of the largest marine park in NSW, you'll also be exploring volcanic landscapes and peaks.
At times you’ll be shaded by beautiful forests of twisting smooth-barked apple and red bloodwood, or crossing tiny bridges surrounded by prickly-leaved paperbark or melaleuca.
It’s hard not to spot the occasional gymea lily with its signature red flower spike towering metres above you. As you hike through the coastal heathland bursting with birdsong, listen out for the distinctive rasping call of wattlebirds. And at the end, wind up the largest moving sand dunes in Australia.
Take a short, invigorating walk 161 m up to Tomaree Head Summit; the jewel in the crown of all the lookouts in the area. Your reward is unparalleled ocean views from this photo-worthy vantage point.
Up here you can see as far as Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands – these nature reserves are the world’s only nesting sites for the endangered Gould's petrel. Try the Gould’s petrel augmented reality (AR) experience at the summit.
You can also check out some military heritage from World War II. The gun emplacements and torpedo tubes were once used to defend the east coast of Australia.
Walk 27 km over 2 days. Day 1 is 18 km from Tomaree Head Summit to the town of One Mile where you may stay overnight. Day 2 is a shorter 9 km journey from One Mile to Birubi Point.
2 days 1 night
27 km, Grade 4 - Some bushwalking experience recommended
Stay at a holiday park or accommodation at One Mile
Free
Available all year round
Over 3 days you can take your time and walk 27 km at your own pace. Spend a day exploring Tomaree Head Summit then tackle the 16 km hike to the town of One Mile on day 2. Day 3 is an easier 9 km from One Mile to Birubi Point.
3 days 2 nights
27 km, Grade 4 - Some bushwalking experience recommended
Stay at a holiday park or accommodation of your choice
Free
Available all year round
Visiting just for the day or looking for an easier option? Try these highlights along Tomaree Coastal Walk. If you'd like to stay overnight and wake up here, explore accommodations options on Visit Port Stephens.
This invigorating short walk to the summit of Tomaree Head offers ocean views 161m above Port Stephens.
Distance 2.2km return
Time 1hr 30min to 2hrs
Grade Grade 5
Stay at Coastal villages like Shoal Bay or Nelson Bay
A day walk rich in Worimi culture, ocean rock platforms, forested gullies, beaches, and one very impressive lookout over a slot canyon.
Distance 7.5km one way
Time 4hrs to 4hrs 30min
Grade Grade 3
Stay at Coastal villages like Anna Bay or One Mile
Book a spot on our 2 hour ranger-guided walking tour to explore Tomaree National Park’s spectacular coastline and local wildlife. Tour runs from 9.30am to 11.30am.
Starting at Zenith Beach, this short walk takes you through to Fingal Bay where you can enjoy a lunch at a café and a swim.
Distance 5 km one way
Time 1hr 30min to 2hrs 30min
Grade Grade 3
Stay at Coastal villages like Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, or Fingal Bay
Located near Fishermans Bay foreshore, Iris Moore lookout and picnic area is a fully accessible lookout with a flat path and one of the best spots for whale watching.
Accessibility: Easy
Learn more about Worimi culture at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place, near Anna Bay. Hear Worimi artist, Gerard Black, discuss his artwork titled Matjarr nguka biinba.
Accessibility: Easy
