Day two of our Sydney to Gold Coast Drive will focus on two national parks, Brisbane Water National Park and nearby Bouddi Bouddi National Park. There are a lot of things to do here as well as three beautiful camping options. A highlight to include in your itinerary is the Bouddi Coastal Walk (main picture by Martin7D2 via Flickr).
All recommended campgrounds and points of interest are marked on the map below.
Suspension bridge on Girakool Loop Track. Brisbane Water National Park.
12 Things to do Brisbane Water National Park
Sommersby Falls picnic area and waterhole is a great place to cool off with a swim and enjoy lunch.
Girrakool Picnic Area and Loop Track: For lovers of the suspension bridge, the Girrakool loop track has a great one that crosses a river. It also visits four lookouts and an Aboriginal engraving site. In late winter and early spring the wildflowers will be in bloom. 1.4 km or 45 mins.
The Little Creek Cheese Company on the other side of the lake in Wyong, has cheese tasting and all their cheese is vegetarian (they use vegetarian enzymes to set it instead of animal-based rennet) and they even have some vegan cheese.
Little Creek vegetarian cheese tasting. Photo: Bekka_Douglas via IG
Australian Reptile Park: In addition to an impressive collection of reptiles, this park has owls, cassowaries, parrots and other birds, koalas, dingoes, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, possums and other furry critters, deadly funnel web spiders, snapping turtles, alligators and crocodiles, pythons, the deadly taipan and death adder, an anaconda, blue-tongue lizards, iguanas, and frogs can be seen and in some cases touched at this well-reviewed park.
TICKETS: Adults $34, family $90.
At the Gosford Classic Car Museum you’ll find your favorite classical car whether its 1930 gangster cars, stately sedans, a vintage motorcycle, or something sporty.
Bulgandry Aboriginal Art site has Aboriginal Rock engravings that are hundreds of years old.
Staples Lookout: A high vantage point from which to see across to Woy Woy bay. It is also the starting point for the walk to Kariong Falls. 5.8 km return or 2 ½ hours.
Looking over Pearl Beach. Photo: Brooke_steve via IG
Umina Beach, Umina Point and Mount Ettalong Lookout: Umina is a secluded beach village. When conditions are right, the waves roll off Umina point in perfect tubes making it a great surf spot. Climb up to Mount Ettalong Lookout at sunrise or sunset for incredible views across the beach and ocean.
Pearl Beach and Rockpool: Is a pretty little beach where houses nestle in amongst the bushland setting. Its tidal rockpool is a gorgeous place to do laps or cool off with the kids.
Great Northern Walk is a whopping 38 km. We suggest doing the Patonga to Pearl Beach part of it.
Warrah Lookout: Is on the Patonga to Pearl Beach walk (above) and is a great place to capture the surrounding beauty on camera.
Anderson’s Boatshed in Ettalong Beach is the place to hire boats and kayaks. There’s something fun about messing about in boats and it’s a great way to spend the day.
Sydney - Blue Mountains - Hunter Valley
There are six free campsites on the mountain route to the Hunter Valley through the Blue Mountain and Wollemi National Parks.
Camping and Caravan Parks
All campgrounds and caravan parks are all marked on the map below with orange dots.
Brisbane Water National Park Camping
Patonga Camping Ground – Is in the secluded bayside village of Patonga right on the beach and inlet of the Hawkesbury River. It has electric BBQs, a ferry service to Palm Beach, laundry and dryers, a children’s playground, hot showers and toilets. There’s a tavern and a fish and chip shop nearby. Fires are allowed in winter.
RATES: Unpowered sites $20 - $43 for two. Additional adults $10, kids $7.50
NRMA Ocean Beach Resort and Holiday Park – Set on the beachfront at pretty Umina Beach (see picture below). It has resort facilities – heated pool with spa and waterslide, toddlers wading pool, waterpark, kids playground, Go Karts, tennis courts, camp kitchen, hot showers and toilets, laundry room, BBQs, Basketball, Café, WiFi.
RATES: From $33 per site (great value for families and groups).
