Welcome to the National Parks Association NSW Port Stephens Bushwalking Group.
Our walks explore our wonderful surroundings in Port Stephens, especially Tomaree National Park, and neighbouring areas, sometimes to the Central Coast especially during wildflower time, to the Myall Lakes area, and northward to the Barrington Tops in summer where we love to take a dip in the pools as part of our walk. We occasionally have campouts and sometimes an accommodated walking week away.
We are a group of the National Parks Association (Hunter Branch), a community group advocating in support of national parks, for improved management, for appropriate protected areas, and for opportunities for safe walking. National Parks are managed by the State Government’s National Parks and Wildlife Service.
News Flash!
Throughout 2024 we are Celebrating 40 years of Tomaree National Park. Yes, Tomaree turns 40 later in the year, and we’re celebrating with a range of long and short walks, wildflower walks, night walks, a celebratory picnic with varied activities, and in conjunction with National Parks and Wildlife Service, a forum on Tomaree National Park..
Read more about our celebrations, be sure to check out our fantastic range of walks and activities. You may like to also help build Tomaree’s Treasure Trove of cherished features.
When we walk:
Upcoming Walks
WALK: Fingal Bay to Big Rocky, Tomaree NP
May 14 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pmWALK: Worimi trails, Worimi Conservation Lands
May 18 @ 9:00 am - 12:30 pmWALK: Mallabula to Lemon Tree, Tilligerry Peninsula
May 23 @ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Our regular walks are all day Wednesdays, generally fortnightly, but in the cooler months when walking is ideal and flowers abound, we sometimes walk more frequently. Walks may vary between 10-16kms.
Our monthly Sunday walks are usually around half day, and we offer occasional Friday walks too.
Moderate fitness is required. All our walks are graded to help you know the walks that suit you.
Our walk program
You can download our latest program at NPA Port Stephens Walk Program or email portstephens@npansw.org.au for a copy.
Our 2024 winter-summer program is available here for your interest.
We manage our walk program over a 6 month period. Due to unforeseen circumstances walks may occasionally change. We usually offer carpooling on a voluntary basis, with a donation towards costs, but carpooling is not guaranteed.
If you like the program and think you will try some walks, then please request via email portstephens@npansw.org.au to be included on our email circulation to receive the details for each forthcoming walk.
New walkers are very welcome:
- We encourage new walkers to try a couple of walks before joining the NPA. Before your first walk, you will need to include your name, phone, and the name and phone (preferably mobile) for an emergency contact who is not likely to walk with you, and email to portstephens@npansw.org.au.
- After two to three walks, you can assess suitability of our walks and group for you. After then, we ask you to join the National Parks Association to continue walking with us. NPA membership provides insurance should there be an accident, and contributes to NPA’s advocacy for national parks. NPA membership also gives you access to a region-wide walks program (email for NPA Hunter Nature News) and a state-wide bushwalking program.
Walk specials: Short wildflower walks in Tomaree National Park.
Enjoy a wonderland of winter and early spring wildflowers, especially along Tomaree’s sandy heathy woodlands. Our program has several wildflower walks of varying duration.
We have short 2 hour walks that focus on wildflowers with the opportunity to learn some names.
Each walk is a slow and easy circuit on gently undulating sandy tracks, shade is variable. 1.5 – 2hrs, 2.6 km, Grade 2.
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL via:
Tomaree40-wildflower
Numbers are limited for each walk as tracks are narrow.
Our walks reports
Occasionally we’ll report on a programmed walk or a local walk — but we’ve only just started.
Barrington Tops NP, Blue Gum Loop and Rocky Crossing Track 1 Feb 2023
Resources
NPA Hunter Nature News (about 4/year) and includes the extended walks program for the Hunter area. Email hunter@npansw.org.au to be included on the NPA Hunter Nature News.
NPA also has some great bush walking tips in their information for bushwalkers.
Bushwalks around Port Stephens is a booklet pdf and a wonderful local resource. Note it was published 2008 and is still generally accurate, though it is best to check tracks with another source. At the time of writing this page, colour prints of the booklet are available for $5 at Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre, 60 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay.
More bushwalking tips available with Lots a Fresh Air as well as a free newsletter.