Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens: How hard is the Tomaree Head Summit Walk?

Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens: How hard is the Tomaree Head Summit Walk?

The Tomaree Head Summit Walk in the Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens, is short but tough. Expect excellent views of Cabbage Tree Island, Broughton Island, Zenith Beach and Wreck Beach.

Port Stephens, to the east of Newcastle in New South Wales, is best known for sand dune tours, Birubi Beach camel rides, dolphin cruises from Nelson Bay and dolphin swimming experiences. But there is also some excellent walking in the Tomaree National Park.

The Tomaree National Park is a short drive from Nelson Bay, Anna Bay or Salamander Bay, and offers fine coastal scenery as well as surf beaches. Try Samurai Beach for surfing if you’re OK with the nudists who hang out there.

6 fantastic Port Stephens experiences worth going for.

  1. 4WD dunes tour with sandboarding – whizz down the Sahara-style dunes
  2. Dolphin-watching cruise with fun boom nets 🐬.
  3. Quad-biking over the Worimi sand dunes – learning about local Aboriginal culture along the way.
  4. Snorkelling with wild dolphins – the ultimate dolphin experience
  5. Port Stephens koala sanctuary admission tickets 🐨.
  6. Shallow water shark and ray encounter 🦈.

Tomaree Head Summit Walk

The classic Tomaree National Park walk is the short but challenging Tomaree Head Summit Walk. This hike is only 2.2km return, but will take 90 minutes to two hours. The New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service rates the Tomaree Head Summit Walk as a grade five undertaking due to steep and slippery sections.

That indicates significant coastal walking experience is needed, however, and it clearly isn’t. You just need to put in the hard work.

Starting at the Tomaree Head car park, the Tomaree Head Summit Walk is all about the views over Port Stephens. At the summit of Tomaree Head, you’re 161 metres above the entrance to the natural harbour beloved of the Port Stephens dolphins.

Port Stephens islands and beaches from Tomaree Head

Several islands can be seen from the top, too. Cabbage Tree Island, Boondelbah Island and Broughton Island show their stuff from the north platform. Fingal Island, meanwhile, is visible from the south platform. You’ll also see Zenith Beach, Wreck Beach and Box Beach to the south.

Tomaree National Park beaches
There are excellent views of the Tomaree National Park beaches from the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Port Stephens. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

If you want to bring a picnic and enjoy a mighty fine view with your sandwiches, there’s a picnic table at the Tomaree Head lookout.

On the way back down, take the Fort Tomaree Walk around the lower reaches of Tomaree Head. Here, the easy, paved 2.5km return walk takes you past World War II gun emplacements built to defend Australia’s east coast in the Second World War. Reward yourself after the walk with a beer at the Shoal Bay Country Club.

More coastal New South Wales

How big is the Jervis Bay Territory?

Why should I go to Belongil Beach in Byron Bay?

Is Callala Beach the best beach in Jervis Bay?

Why should I visit the Booti Booti National Park?

Is Parsley Bay in Vaucluse the best family beach in Sydney?