Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk

Ken & Audrey Owens Walkway

The Ken & Audrey Owens Walkway on Cain St, Redhead is a community made coastal walkway[1] through restored bushland[2]. The walkway has two halves – one direction visits the Redhead Lagoon and a timber bridge viewpoint, and the other way visits Webb Park near the Redhead shops. The walkway was made in coordination with the Redhead Landcare group. Volunteers are always needed for working bee’s on the last Sunday morning of each month. For more information, contact 49447403. The boardwalk is made of concrete and timber, and the tracks are suitable for wheelchairs and prams. There are also well positioned rest areas along the boardwalk. There is a dog walking area just off the walkway. More info.

Owens Walkway Car Park & Viewpoint

The Owens Walkway car park (off Cain St, Redhead) offers easy access to the Ken & Audrey Owens Walkway[3]. The car park has a water tap[4] and seat[5]. The viewpoint at the car park is gained via an elevated boardwalk[6] and offers views down the coast to Norah Head. From the viewpoint, surfers and whales can be seen (Northern whale migration from June to July, southern migration from Sept to Oct) . More info.

(0km) Owens Walkway Car Park (Off Cain Street) → Owens Walkway Intersection

30 m
1 mins
0m
-1m

Very easy

From the car park[7][8] (opposite 9 Cain St, Redhead), this walk follows the concrete footpath[9] gently downhill, while past the ‘Ken and Audrey Owens Walkway’sign[10] and elevated lookout[11] on your right. This walk continues into coastal forest[12] (passing a water tap[13] on the left) for about 30m, until coming to a T-intersection with the concrete Owens Walkway[14][15] (and some timber posts on your left).

(0.03km) Owens Walkway Intersection → Owens Wetland Lookout

130 m
2 mins
0m
0m

Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection[16], this walk follows the concrete footpath gently downhill[17][18], while keeping the ocean and wetland[19] to your left. This walk continues through coastal forest[20] for about 130m, to find an elevated timber lookout[21] and stone monument[22][23] (on your left).

Owens Wetland Viewpoint

This wetlands viewpoint[24] on the Owens Walkway (in Redhead) offers good views out over water, reeds and a large wetland. In the distance are large sand dunes, with Redhead Beach behind them. This viewpoint is easily accessible via the Owens Walkway and has wheelchair access. Wildlife, particularly birds, use the wetland as a breeding site and you are likely to see birds here. There is also a stone monument[25], dedicated to the ‘Cain St Landcare Project[26]’. The viewpoint is fenced[27] and has a timber seat[28].

(0.16km) Owens Wetland Lookout → Int of Owens Walkway & Cain St Trail

340 m
5 mins
2m
0m

Very easy

Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk follows the concrete footpath whilst keeping the wetland to your left. The footpath undulates gently as it leads through the coastal forest[29] for about 300m, until coming to a T-intersection[30], marked with some concrete posts, a drinking fountain[31] and a trail[32] (on the right).

(0.51km) Int of Owens Walkway & Cain St Trail → Int of Cain St Trail & Cain St

20 m
0m
0m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[33], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[34] for 25m, until coming to the sealed Cain Street[35] (opposite 70a Cain St, Redhead).

(0.51km) Int of Owens Walkway & Cain St Trail → Elevated Timber Bridge

140 m
2 mins
0m
-1m

Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection[36], this walk follows the concrete footpath gently downhill[37], while leaving the Cain St trail directly behind and initially keeping the drinking fountain[38] on your right. This walk continues through dense coastal forest[39] for about 140m until coming to an elevated timber foot bridge[40][41] over Owens Creek[42].

Elevated Timber Bridge Viewpoint

This timber bridge[43] is elevated over Owen Creek in Redhead. The viewpoint is amongst trees[44] and offers a quiet spot to sit[45] and look into the creek. Local ducks[46] live in this area. This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible by using the Owens Walkway.

Maps for the Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk 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.

Swansea	1:25 000 Map Series	92314N SWANSEA	NSW-92314N
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk

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	1.3 km
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 1/6 Very easy	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		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, 640m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 640m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 640m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 640m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 640m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 640m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk walk starts and ends at the Owens Walkway Car Park (Off Cain Street) (gps: -33.015551, 151.71216)
Your transport options to Owens Walkway Car Park (Off Cain Street) are by;

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.
(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

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/ctbvw

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 🙂

Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk

Ken & Audrey Owens Walkway

Owens Walkway Car Park & Viewpoint

(0km) Owens Walkway Car Park (Off Cain Street) → Owens Walkway Intersection

Very easy

(0.03km) Owens Walkway Intersection → Owens Wetland Lookout

Very easy

Owens Wetland Viewpoint

(0.16km) Owens Wetland Lookout → Int of Owens Walkway & Cain St Trail

Very easy

(0.51km) Int of Owens Walkway & Cain St Trail → Int of Cain St Trail & Cain St

Moderate track

(0.51km) Int of Owens Walkway & Cain St Trail → Elevated Timber Bridge

Very easy

Elevated Timber Bridge Viewpoint

Maps for the Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk walk

Cross sectional view of the Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cain’s Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest

Park Information & Alerts

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