Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach
Download & Print Map and Notes25 mins
1.2 km Return
12 m
Easy track
Freemans camping ground
A well establish campsite. There are 8 caravan sites and 28 tent based camping sites. Groups of more than 8 are required to fill in a group booking form which can be obtained through the booking office. There is a short walk along a footpath to Birdie Beach. The campsite is flat and in an open area, reasonably well protected from the sea breeze. There is some but limited shaded area. The amenities block and cooking shelter are in great condition and provide good facilities. There is an emergency only phone near the amenities block.
(0km) Freemans camping ground → Birdie Beach car park bridge
410 m
7 mins
2m
-7m
Very easy
From speed hump on the Men’s side of the toilet block in Freemans Camping Ground[1], this walk follows the ‘Birdie Beach Access’ sign[2]. The walk follows the sealed path (old road) through the tall heath[3], passing a couple of glimpses of Red Ochre Beach[4] (on the left) before coming to timber foot bridge[5] in the middle of Birdie Beach car park.
Birdie Beach car park
Birdie Beach car park is a large parking area at the end of Birdie Beach Road. The are a few small grassy clearings, as well as garbage and recycling bins. Three tracks lead to Birdie Beach and another path leads to Freemans camping ground. There is a toilet[6] and hand washing basin[7] near the start of the car park, as well as a large information sign[8]. There is parking[9] and toilet facilities[10][11] for people with disabilities.
(0.41km) Birdie Beach car park bridge → North Birdie Beach
200 m
3 mins
0m
-3m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the bridge[12], this walk heads to the very end of the car park[13], then turns right to find the beach access track[14]. The walk follows this track a short distance, passing a ‘Vehicles fire & camping prohibited on beaches’ sign[15]. The track soon comes to a ‘Y’ intersection marked with a sign pointing to ‘Unclad Bathing 150m’[16].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill along the timbered track and over the rise, in the opposite direction to the ‘Unclad Bathing 150m’ sign[17] (directly away from the car park). The sandy track then leads to another ‘Unclad Bathing 150m’ sign[18] (pointing left), then comes to the northern end of Birdie Beach[19].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill along the timbered track and over the rise, in the opposite direction to the ‘Unclad Bathing 150m’ sign[17] (directly away from the car park). The sandy track then leads to another ‘Unclad Bathing 150m’ sign[18] (pointing left), then comes to the northern end of Birdie Beach[19].
Birdie Beach
Birdie Beach is a several kilometre long beach stretching from Budgewoi in the south to near Wybung Head in the north. The sandy beach faces south-east and Bird Island is found about 1.5km from the shore. There are several access points along this beach. The beach is not patrolled.
Maps for the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Catherine Hill Bay | 1:25 000 Map Series | 92314S CATHERINE HILL BAY | NSW-92314S |
Lake Macquarie | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9231 LAKE MACQUARIE | 9231 |
Cross sectional view of the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length | 1.2 km | ||
Time | 25 mins | ||
. | |||
Grade 2/6 Easy track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Flat, no steps (1/6) |
Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
This whole walk, 600m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 410m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 200m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 600m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 600m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 600m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 600m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach walk starts and ends at the Freemans camping ground (gps: -33.201138, 151.60383)Your main transport option to Freemans camping ground is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)
Fire Danger
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/fcatbb
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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