Patonga to Pearl Beach Walk: hidden caves and secret viewpoints

Some of the prettiest views on the Central Coast can be found on the Patonga to Pearl Beach Walk. Several of the best lie just off the main trail and that means you almost always have them to yourself. Though a significant portion of the walk is on fire trail, it’s in very pretty bushland, so you still feel like you’re on a proper track. As well as views you’ll also get to visit a series of caves, and as the trail begins and ends with a beach, there are great swimming opportunities.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Patonga to Pearl Beach Walk.

The Patonga to Pearl Beach Walk

The stats

Distance: 4.4km each way (8.8km return)
Elevation gain: 142m one way or 285m return
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Trailhead: Patonga Boat Ramp, Patonga

Summary: If you have access to two cars - or you don’t mind taking a bus - you could walk this track one way. If not, you’ll return along the same route and have a bit of a hill at the beginning and end of each leg.

It is steep in parts and at the Patonga end the climb is on uneven terrain with some rocks and tree roots. Nothing is slippery or particularly challenging, but it’s not a smooth path.

The fire trail section is always wide and well graded. The walk to Pearl Beach after you exit the fire trail is on a road, but it’s a gorgeous foliage dense residential street, so it’s actually really pretty.

Starting the trail at Patonga

Though you could start at either end of the trail, we chose to start in Patonga. Pearl Beach is the prettier of the two beaches, so I think it’s nice to reach that one midway through the walk rather than start with the best. You can park for free right beside the trailhead at Patonga (full details below).

You’ll cross the small bit of sand (100m long) beside the car park and take the trail leading uphill into the bush.

You’ll begin heading uphill on stairs and the bush is really beautiful right from the start. It’s dense and laden with Cabbage palms giving it a fantastic jungly feel.

It is a little steep for the first 400m, with a short less steep break halfway through. The path is rough in places, with rocks and tree roots to contend with, but none of it was in the least bit slippery (when dry).

To the hidden caves

At the 500m mark (400m into the climb) you can head right for a few steps to reach the first viewpoint. It’s pretty but somewhat obscured by foliage, the views as you climb a little higher are much better.

From the turnoff to the lookout you can see another path on the right leading slightly uphill (the upper path vs the lower path leading to the lookout).

You can follow this round to find a series of cool overhangs, some of which you can climb up into.

The path is pretty much flat and though narrow, it’s well worn. The biggest and best overhang is around 60m from the main track junction and it’s easy to climb up into when the rock is dry.

It is a tiny bit of a scramble, but nothing challenging. It’s a fun little diversion from the main track and worth the short detour.

Finding the best views

After visiting the overhangs head back onto the main track and continue climbing. Just 80m later you can turn off to another lookout on the right, and from here there are a whole series of unofficial, but breathtaking viewpoints.

For me they are even better than the main lookout of the track, Warrah Lookout, which is still great but surrounded by a railing which does detract from the view.

The lookouts are all facing the same way they just get slightly more elevated as you climb, there’s only metres between some of them so you probably won’t feel the need to visit them all. Our personal favourite can be found at these coordinates: -33.5518877, 151.2818876 (you can see it on Google Maps by clicking here).

This one has a wide rock ledge to sit and relax on as well as expansive views of the ocean, Ku-ring-gai National Park and across to Palm Beach.

It’s absolutely stunning and we had it to ourselves despite the fact it was a hot sunny Saturday. If you only turn off to one of the viewing areas, make it this one.

If you’re into a bit of rock scrambling there are plenty of opportunities along this stretch of track too.

Heading along the fire trail to Warrah Lookout

There is a small amount more uphill track left before you hit a flat path at the 1km mark (this includes all the turnoffs we made, it will be slightly less if you don’t visit the caves or extra viewpoints).

You have another 350m on a flat narrow path through the bush before you reach the fire trail.

Roughly 250m into the fire trail you can turn off on the right to another unofficial viewpoint, which is pretty, though you’ve already seen the best ones in my opinion.

Just 150m further along the main trail you can make a 100m detour, again on the right, to Warrah Lookout (1.75km from Patonga), which is signposted.

This is the main lookout of the track and though the view is stunning, as mentioned, it does have a big fence around it, which for me detracts a little.

It’s still very much worth seeing and as you’re now slightly further along the coast the view is slightly different to the ones you’ve seen so far.

Continuing along the fire trail and more caves

Once back on the main track you’ll continue on the fire trail all the way to the residential street, just under 2km away.

The fire trail is lined with dense bushland on either side, so it’s a lovely walk despite the fact fire trails are usually not very exciting.

Just over 1km from when you came back onto the main track from the lookout (3.1km from Patonga) you’ll see a striking sandstone overhang.

This is also where the forest lining the path becomes even more beautiful, with more of those jungly vibes you got at the start of the track.

Just 50m along from when you first see the cave you’ll see a little path leading up into the overhang which is easy to follow and just a few steps.

Though the overhang is not wide, it’s long and impressive with its swirling walls and bushy outlook. There are some rocks here which make a good place to sit and relax before beginning the descent towards the road.

Reaching Pearl Beach

After leaving the caves you have another 400m on the fire trail, all of which is downhill. It’s not that steep though and you’ll soon reach the gate across the fire trail which you’ll pass round to get onto the road.

Head right and you can enjoy all the incredible foliage around the houses that line this quiet residential street.

Just 100m after turning onto the road, on the lefthand side, you’ll see a piano in a little hut. It’s such a sweet idea and the owners of the house even invite you to visit their beautiful garden complete with sculptures and wind chimes!

You’ll then continue along the road for another 350m before taking the left fork. Just 150m later you’ll head right at the junction and then you’re just 150m from Pearl Beach (4.4km from Patonga inc side trails).

Pearl Beach is very pretty with its long sweep of sand and picturesque headlands. The water is relatively calm so it’s a good place for a dip. You could grab coffee or lunch here too, though we haven’t personally tried anywhere to recommend.

Assuming you aren’t doing a car shuffle or taking the bus, you would then retrace your steps. Once you reach the fire trail you have a short but steepish climb before it flattens and then you’ll descend to Patonga.

Getting to the Patonga to Pearl Beach trailhead

Patonga is just under 100km and a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Sydney. It’s 116km and a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Newcastle. There is a decent size free car park at the trailhead, which you can see on Google Maps here. If that’s full there is further free parking on the surrounding streets.

There are public toilets just before the car park and again at Pearl Beach, but nowhere along the trail.

You can get the 54 bus between Patonga and Pearl Beach if you only want to walk one way, though it doesn’t pick up and drop off exactly at the trailheads, so you still have a little extra walking to do. You can see the timetable here.