If you’re visiting Port Stephens, there is one thing that has to be top of your list - the Tomaree Head summit walk. It offers one of the best views in all of NSW. It’s no exaggeration to say that no photo can ever do it justice. Towering over Nelson Bay and the entire area, Tomaree Head really is breathtaking (literally when you do the walk to the summit) and if you happen to go during the soft light of sunset it is even more magnificent.

The walk to get there is fairly steep, but it’s on a very well maintained path so anyone happy to walk uphill for just over 1km can do it.

Here’s what to expect from the Tomaree Head summit walk - one of our favourite things to do in Port Stephens.

Tomaree Head summit walk

The stats

Distance: 2.3km (1.1km extra with the side trail to the gun emplacements)
Elevation gained: 195m
Difficulty: Moderate

The walk to the summit of Tomaree Head is uphill the whole way, but the trail is well formed throughout (changing from paved with tiles to paved with stones). We recommend allowing 25-30 minutes to hike up to the top and a little more if you want to plan in some breaks to catch your breath.

Starting the trail from Zenith Beach

From the small car park beside Zenith Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Port Stephens, you’ll head onto the paved path and begin heading immediately uphill. It’s not overly steep but it’s fairly consistently uphill.

When we walked just before sunset, the path was nicely shaded, so even on a hot day it didn’t feel too difficult. You’ll soon head into a beautiful stretch of forest which was a really gorgeous start to the trail.

Along the way you’ll get glimpses of Shoal Bay which is beautifully framed by the forest. It’s a great view that only gets better as you walk up towards the summit.

After 650m you’ll reach a junction, you can continue on up the staircase for the summit, or you can take a 560m (each way) detour to see the old WWII gun emplacements at Fort Tomaree.

The side trail to Fort Tomaree (1942 - 1945)

First things first: this is not an essential side trip by any means, so if you’re short on time we’d recommend heading straight up for the summit.

If not, then it’s an easy addition to the walk, being almost entirely flat or very gently downhill for a short time.

The walk to the gun escarpment at Tomaree Head

In no time at all you’ll reach what is left of Fort Tomaree, which is pretty much only the historic gun emplacements.

There is an information board to give some context on why the fort was built here - to protect the steelworks at Newcastle and the aerodrome at Williamstown.

I think you have to be a bit of a history buff to get the most out of this spot but it’s a very short easy detour so worth a look if you have time to spare.

You can actually take an alternative route up to the summit from here, which we started heading up before a local told us we would be quicker heading back along the paved path as this one is quite rough and slippery.

Given we were cutting it fine for sunset we took their advice, but with more time we would have explored this alternate trail which said it was just over 1km to the summit.

Onto the summit

Once you’ve retraced your steps to the junction you’re just 350m from the summit. Although there are several steep staircases on this section it helps you make very quick work of the walk.

In between the staircases there are some flatter sections and also parts where there are a few stone steps. It continues to be in the forest for much of the way which keeps it nice and shady. Although parts are steep, the great path means it’s not difficult and there are plenty of places to stop and have a breather if you need.

After a few hundred metres in the bush you’ll come out at your first big view of Shoal Bay and from this moment on every step is just jaw dropping.

I loved that the metal staircases hug the side of the cliff, which combined with the spectacular views made the whole thing feel really dramatic.

When we got to the view of Zenith Beach it really did make me stop in my tracks.

The views of Zenith Beach from the Tomaree Head Summit Walk

I had seen so many photos of it before but none can compare to seeing it in real life.

What an absolutely magnificent stretch of coastline, the tall headlands and stunning beaches make it feel so wild, despite the fact on one side you can see the town of Nelson Bay.

The views of Tomaree Bay from Tomaree Head Walk

The summit

Once you’ve seen that first view of Zenith Beach you are just a couple of short staircases from the top.

To the left there is a viewing platform offering views out to the pretty Yacaaba Headland at Hawks Nest, which is another great walk if you’re a lover of these headland climbs.

To the right are two different viewing areas for Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches, as well as Fingal Bay and island. They are wonderful views, but there are some bushes which slightly obscure some of the view if you’re keen on photography.

For just sitting and admiring the views it’s not an issue but we actually preferred the first view for photos and headed back down the stairs.

It also meant we got that whole area to ourselves despite visiting on a Saturday. There were only around eight people at the very top, so by no means crowded, but still pretty special to get the lower area to ourselves.

The view was so extraordinary that we ended up staying well into twilight and walking back in the dark. If you do the same be prepared for a big possum party on the way down, it’s probably the most we have ever seen! The walk down in the dark, or otherwise, is easy due to the good path.

All in all the Tomaree Head summit walk is our favourite in Port Stephens, it’s very popular for very good reason.

The views are unbeatable and catching a sunset here is an absolute must do. We have walked several peaks in the area and I sort of hoped that I might prefer a less popular one as we’re big fans of avoiding the crowds, but to be honest the other walks are good but none compare to Tomaree Head.

Essential information about the Tomaree Head summit walk

Where to park

Depending on when you visit, it can be a challenge to find parking near the trail head. You should be fine on a weekday but on sunny weekends people flock here.

If you can’t park at the small car park by the trailhead or in one of the spaces running alongside the road, you can head up to the day use car park just up the hill from the main one. It is slightly bigger and tends to have more availability.

Parking is free of charge and unlimited.

How to get there

The Tomaree Summit walk is just a five minute drive from Nelson Bay. It’s 220km and 2.5 hours from Sydney.

Is it dog friendly?

The walk is not dog friendly as you can’t bring dogs into any NSW national park, and this trail falls under the Tomaree National Park.

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