All The Gear No Idea: Moonee Beach & Ghosties Beach

Located just two and a half hours north of Sydney in Munmorah State Conservation Area, this stunning coastal walk links two of the Central Coast's finest beaches: Moonee Beach and the dramatic, cliff-backed Ghosties Beach. From exploring one of Eastern Australia's premier walkthrough sea caves at low tide to spotting migrating humpback whales off Flat Rocks Point, this is a must-do day hike.

Moonee Beach & Ghosties Beach

📍 MUNMORAH STATE CONSERVATION AREA

Distance 7.7 km

Duration 02:50 hrs

Elev Gain +134 m

Elev Lost -197 m

Date	10 July 2020
Starting Point	Moonee Beach
Difficulty	Easy
Pace / Gear	4.4 km/h — Light day pack
Highlights	Moonee Beach, Ghosties Beach, sea caves

🗺️ Interactive Route Map Pinch or use wheel to zoom

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html xmlns="https://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
	<head>
		<title>Moonee Beach 05-07-2020</title>
		<base target="_top"></base>
		<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
		<meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no" />
		<meta name="geo.position" content="-33.1755152; 151.6271405" />
		<meta name="ICBM" content="-33.1755152, 151.6271405" />
	</head>
	<body style="margin:0px;">
		
		<script type="text/javascript">
			API = 'leaflet'; // can be either 'leaflet' or 'google'
			if (self.API && API.match(/^g/i)) {
				google_api_key = ''; // Your project's Google Maps API key goes here (https://code.google.com/apis/console)
				language_code = '';
				document.writeln('<script src="https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?v=3&libraries=geometry&language='+(self.language_code?self.language_code:'')+'&key='+(self.google_api_key?self.google_api_key:'')+'" type="text/javascript"><'+'/script>');
			} else {
				document.writeln('<link href="https://maps.gpsvisualizer.com/leaflet/leaflet.css" rel="stylesheet" />');
				document.writeln('<script src="https://maps.gpsvisualizer.com/leaflet/leaflet.js" type="text/javascript"><'+'/script>');
			}
			thunderforest_api_key = ''; // To display OpenStreetMap tiles from ThunderForest (https://www.thunderforest.com/docs/apikeys/)
			tracestrack_api_key = ''; // To display topo tiles from Tracestrack (https://console.tracestrack.com/explorer)
			os_api_key = ''; // To display topo tiles from the UK Ordnance Survey (https://docs.os.uk/os-apis/core-concepts/getting-started-with-an-api-project)
		</script>

<div style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px;">
			<div id="gmap_div" style="width:100%; height:100%; margin:0px; margin-right:12px; background-color:#f0f0f0; float:left; overflow:hidden;">
				<p style="text-align:center; font:10px Arial;">This map was created using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/">GPS Visualizer</a>'s do-it-yourself geographic utilities.<br /><br />Please wait while the map data loads...</p>
			</div>
				
			<div id="gv_infobox" class="gv_infobox" style="font:11px Arial; border:solid #666666 1px; background-color:#ffffff; padding:4px; overflow:auto; display:none; max-width:400px;">
				
			</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
			/* Global variables used by the GPS Visualizer functions (20260809004802): */
			gv_options = {};
			
			// basic map parameters:
			gv_options.center = [-33.1755152111873,151.627140459605];  // [latitude,longitude] - be sure to keep the square brackets
			gv_options.zoom = 15;  // higher number means closer view; can also be 'auto' for automatic zoom/center based on map elements
			gv_options.map_type = 'OPENTOPOMAP';  // popular map_type choices are 'GV_STREET', 'GV_SATELLITE', 'GV_HYBRID', 'GV_TERRAIN', 'GV_OSM', 'GV_TOPO_US', 'GV_TOPO_WORLD' (https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/misc/leaflet_map_types.html)
			gv_options.map_opacity = 1.00;  // number from 0 to 1
			gv_options.full_screen = true;  // true|false: should the map fill the entire page (or frame)?
			gv_options.width = 700;  // width of the map, in pixels
			gv_options.height = 606;  // height of the map, in pixels
			
			gv_options.map_div = 'gmap_div';  // the name of the HTML "div" tag containing the map itself; usually 'gmap_div'
			gv_options.doubleclick_zoom = true;  // true|false: zoom in when mouse is double-clicked?
			gv_options.doubleclick_center = true;  // true|false: re-center the map on the point that was double-clicked?
			gv_options.scroll_zoom = true; // true|false; or 'reverse' for down=in and up=out
			gv_options.page_scrolling = true; // true|false; does the map relenquish control of the scroll wheel when embedded in scrollable pages?
			gv_options.autozoom_adjustment = 0; gv_options.autozoom_default = 11;
			gv_options.centering_options = { 'open_info_window':true, 'partial_match':true, 'center_key':'center', 'default_zoom':null } // URL-based centering (e.g., ?center=name_of_marker&zoom=14)
			gv_options.street_view = false; // true|false: allow Google Street View on the map (Google Maps only)
			gv_options.tilt = false; // true|false: allow Google Maps to show 45-degree tilted aerial imagery?
			gv_options.disable_google_pois = false;  // true|false: if you disable clickable POIs on Google Maps, you also lose the labels on parks, airports, etc.
			gv_options.animated_zoom = true; // true|false: only affects Leaflet maps
			
			// widgets on the map:
			gv_options.zoom_control = 'auto'; // 'auto'|'large'|'small'|'none'
			gv_options.recenter_button = true; // true|false: is there a 'click to recenter' button above the zoom control?
			gv_options.geolocation_control = false; // true|false; only works on secure servers
			gv_options.geolocation_options = { center:true, zoom:null, marker:true, info_window:true };
			gv_options.scale_control = true; // true|false
			gv_options.map_opacity_control = false;  // true|false
			gv_options.map_type_control = {};  // widget to change the background map
			  gv_options.map_type_control.visible = 'auto'; // true|false|'auto': is a map type control placed on the map itself?
			  gv_options.map_type_control.filter = false;  // true|false: when map loads, are irrelevant maps ignored?
			  gv_options.map_type_control.excluded = [];  // comma-separated list of quoted map IDs that will never show in the list ('included' also works)
			gv_options.center_coordinates = true;  // true|false: show a "center coordinates" box and crosshair?
			gv_options.measurement_tools = true; // true|false: put a measurement ruler on the map?
			gv_options.measurement_options = { visible:false, distance_color:'', area_color:'' };
			gv_options.crosshair_hidden = true;  // true|false: hide the crosshair initially?
			gv_options.crosshair_permanent = false; // if true, overrides crosshair_hidden
			gv_options.mouse_coordinates = false;  // true|false: show a "mouse coordinates" box?
			gv_options.utilities_menu = { 'maptype':true, 'opacity':true, 'measure':true, 'geolocate':true, 'profile':true };
			gv_options.allow_export = false;  // true|false
			
			gv_options.infobox_options = {}; // options for a floating info box (id="gv_infobox"), which can contain anything
			  gv_options.infobox_options.enabled = true;  // true|false: enable or disable the info box altogether
			  gv_options.infobox_options.position = ['LEFT_TOP',52,4];  // [Google anchor name, relative x, relative y]
			  gv_options.infobox_options.draggable = true;  // true|false: can it be moved around the screen?
			  gv_options.infobox_options.collapsible = true;  // true|false: can it be collapsed by double-clicking its top bar?
			
			// track-related options:
			gv_options.track_optimization = 1; // sets Leaflet's smoothFactor parameter
			gv_options.track_tooltips = false; // true|false: should the name of a track appear on the map when you mouse over the track itself?
			gv_options.tracklist_options = {}; // options for a floating list of the tracks visible on the map
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.enabled = true;  // true|false: enable or disable the tracklist altogether
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.position = ['RIGHT_TOP',4,32];  // [Google anchor name, relative x, relative y]
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.min_width = 100; // minimum width of the tracklist, in pixels
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.max_width = 180; // maximum width of the tracklist, in pixels
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.min_height = 0; // minimum height of the tracklist, in pixels; if the list is longer, scrollbars will appear
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.max_height = 263; // maximum height of the tracklist, in pixels; if the list is longer, scrollbars will appear
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.desc = true;  // true|false: should tracks' descriptions be shown in the list
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.toggle = false;  // true|false: should clicking on a track's name turn it on or off?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.checkboxes = true;  // true|false: should there be a separate icon/checkbox for toggling visibility?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.zoom_links = true;  // true|false: should each item include a small icon that will zoom to that track?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.highlighting = true;  // true|false: should the track be highlighted when you mouse over the name in the list?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.tooltips = false;  // true|false: should the name of the track appear on the map when you mouse over the name in the list?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.draggable = true;  // true|false: can it be moved around the screen?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.collapsible = true;  // true|false: can it be collapsed by double-clicking its top bar?
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.header = 'Tracks:'; // HTML code; be sure to put backslashes in front of any single quotes, and don't include any line breaks
			  gv_options.tracklist_options.footer = ''; // HTML code
			gv_options.profile_options = { visible:false, icon:true, units:'metric', filled:true, waypoints:true, height:120, width:'100%', y_min:null, y_max:null, gap_between_tracks:false }; // see https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/tutorials/profiles_in_maps.html

// marker-related options:
			gv_options.default_marker = { color:'red',icon:'googlemini',scale:1 }; // icon can be a URL, but be sure to also include size:[w,h] and optionally anchor:[x,y]
			gv_options.vector_markers = true; // are the icons on the map in embedded SVG format?
			gv_options.marker_tooltips = true; // do the names of the markers show up when you mouse-over them?
			gv_options.marker_shadows = true; // true|false: do the standard markers have "shadows" behind them?
			gv_options.marker_link_target = '_blank'; // the name of the window or frame into which markers' URLs will load
			gv_options.info_window_width = 0;  // in pixels, the width of the markers' pop-up info "bubbles" (can be overridden by 'window_width' in individual markers)
			gv_options.thumbnail_width = 0;  // in pixels, the width of the markers' thumbnails (can be overridden by 'thumbnail_width' in individual markers)
			gv_options.photo_size = [0,0];  // in pixels, the size of the photos in info windows (can be overridden by 'photo_width' or 'photo_size' in individual markers)
			gv_options.hide_labels = false;  // true|false: hide labels when map first loads?
			gv_options.labels_behind_markers = false; // true|false: are the labels behind other markers (true) or in front of them (false)?
			gv_options.label_offset = [0,0];  // [x,y]: shift all markers' labels (positive numbers are right and down)
			gv_options.label_centered = false;  // true|false: center labels with respect to their markers?  (label_left is also a valid option.)
			gv_options.driving_directions = false;  // put a small "driving directions" form in each marker's pop-up window? (override with dd:true or dd:false in a marker's options)
			gv_options.garmin_icon_set = '24x24'; // 'gpsmap' are the small 16x16 icons; change it to '24x24' for larger icons

// Load GPS Visualizer's mapping functions (this must be loaded AFTER gv_options are set):
			var script_file = (self.API && API.match(/^g/i)) ? 'google_maps/functions3.js' : 'leaflet/functions.js';
			document.writeln('<script src="https://maps.gpsvisualizer.com/'+script_file+'" type="text/javascript"><'+'/script>');
		</script>
		<style type="text/css">
			/* Put any custom style definitions here (e.g., .gv_marker_info_window, .gv_marker_info_window_name, .gv_marker_list_item, .gv_tooltip, .gv_label, etc.) */
			#gmap_div .gv_marker_info_window {
				font-size:11px !important;
			}
			#gmap_div .gv_label {
				opacity:0.90; filter:alpha(opacity=90);
				color:white; background:#333333; border:1px solid black; padding:1px;
				font-family:Verdana !important; font-size:10px;
				font-weight:normal !important;
			}
			.gv_tooltip {
				font:10px Verdana,sans-serif; color:black; background-color:white; border:1px solid #666666; padding:0px; opacity:1 !important;
			}
			.legend_block {
				display:inline-block; border:solid 1px black; width:9px; height:9px; margin:0px 2px 0px 0px;
			}
			
		</style>
		
		
		<script type="text/javascript">
			function GV_Map() {
				GV_Setup_Map();
				
				// Track #1
				t = 1; trk[t] = {info:[],segments:[]};
				trk[t].info.name = 'Moonee Beach 05-07-2020'; trk[t].info.desc = ''; trk[t].info.clickable = true;
				trk[t].info.color = '#fd2500'; trk[t].info.width = 3; trk[t].info.opacity = 0.9; trk[t].info.hidden = false; trk[t].info.z_index = null;
				trk[t].info.outline_color = 'black'; trk[t].info.outline_width = 0; trk[t].info.fill_color = '#fd2500'; trk[t].info.fill_opacity = 0;
				trk[t].info.elevation = true;
				trk[t].segments.push({ points:[ [-33.180182883516,151.623297231272,92.4000015258789],[-33.1801622640342,151.623314162716,91.5999984741211],[-33.1799022573978,151.623406028375,88],[-33.1798121519387,151.623445590958,87.8000030517578],[-33.1796868424863,151.62336227484,86.8000030517578],[-33.1795292627066,151.62365404889,83.4000015258789],[-33.1794845871627,151.623738287017,81.1999969482422],[-33.1789827626199,151.623982619494,80.1999969482422],[-33.1786492466927,151.624054787681,77],[-33.178251106292,151.624510595575,76.8000030517578],[-33.1772302743047,151.625353144482,75],[-33.1769406795502,151.625520614907,72],[-33.1760340929031,151.625851532444,73],[-33.1754580046982,151.626227460802,72],[-33.175404779613,151.626302562654,72],[-33.1753883510828,151.626422088593,72.8000030517578],[-33.1753995828331,151.626553433016,71.8000030517578],[-33.175404611975,151.626676479355,70.8000030517578],[-33.1754122395068,151.626763315871,69.5999984741211],[-33.1753023527563,151.627006139606,66.4000015258789],[-33.1753066275269,151.627389863133,64.1999969482422],[-33.1753264926374,151.627628747374,62],[-33.1753282528371,151.627846509218,62.2000007629395],[-33.1749335490167,151.629072697833,61.7999992370605],[-33.1740690395236,151.629776945338,58.5999984741211],[-33.1736591644585,151.629574522376,55.4000015258789],[-33.173647178337,151.629579886794,55.4000015258789],[-33.1735279876739,151.629558764398,53.7999992370605],[-33.1735105533153,151.629540072754,53.2000007629395],[-33.1734077073634,151.629496654496,52.2000007629395],[-33.1727277673781,151.629511490464,50.2000007629395],[-33.1722535192966,151.629536803812,48.5999984741211],[-33.1716669537127,151.629658676684,46.4000015258789],[-33.1712664663792,151.629423731938,42.5999984741211],[-33.1709266640246,151.629370171577,39.2000007629395],[-33.1708288472146,151.62937595509,38.2000007629395],[-33.1705196388066,151.629264475778,34.7999992370605],[-33.1703126057982,151.629277803004,32.5999984741211],[-33.1700351648033,151.629285849631,29.3999996185303],[-33.1700234301388,151.629280317575,29.2000007629395],[-33.1698661018163,151.629211921245,27.2000007629395],[-33.1696374434978,151.629144195467,23.7999992370605],[-33.1695723161101,151.629106057808,22.6000003814697],[-33.1694593280554,151.628976557404,20.6000003814697],[-33.1692003272474,151.628971947357,17.2000007629395],[-33.1687544099987,151.628983430564,15.1999998092651],[-33.16864955239,151.629284592345,13.1999998092651],[-33.1685161124915,151.629533702508,11.6000003814697],[-33.1681489013135,151.629876187071,8.60000038146973],[-33.1680623162538,151.62996545434,7.19999980926514],[-33.1681414414197,151.63013510406,7],[-33.1685168668628,151.630301736295,10],[-33.1687233969569,151.630320008844,11],[-33.1690092198551,151.630500471219,8],[-33.1690673902631,151.630552858114,6],[-33.1690963916481,151.630556546152,5.80000019073486],[-33.1693827174604,151.630678921938,3.40000009536743],[-33.1694944482297,151.63094538264,1.60000002384186],[-33.1695515289903,151.631277054548,0.600000023841858],[-33.1695620063692,151.63158852607,-1.20000004768372],[-33.1697507668287,151.631583916023,-1.20000004768372],[-33.170177070424,151.631702939048,-1.39999997615814],[-33.1706020329148,151.631797822192,-1.79999995231628],[-33.170904032886,151.631909469143,-1.20000004768372],[-33.1713991519064,151.632068809122,-1.20000004768372],[-33.171749683097,151.632460327819,-1.20000004768372],[-33.1720255315304,151.632707510144,-0.200000002980232],[-33.1724649947137,151.633029626682,-0.600000023841858],[-33.172658700496,151.633286112919,-0.600000023841858],[-33.1727073155344,151.632971037179,0.800000011920929],[-33.173013003543,151.632744474337,-0.200000002980232],[-33.1733747664839,151.632788395509,-0.200000002980232],[-33.1736740842462,151.632708348334,3],[-33.1739139743149,151.632684292272,3.79999995231628],[-33.1742268707603,151.632748413831,2],[-33.1749809067696,151.632430404425,2.59999990463257],[-33.1752445176244,151.632229657844,6],[-33.1754348706454,151.632144916803,3.59999990463257],[-33.1755683105439,151.632094876841,0.400000005960464],[-33.1758574862033,151.63170277141,2],[-33.1759437359869,151.631506131962,0.800000011920929],[-33.1762722227722,151.631024004892,-0.400000005960464],[-33.1768738757819,151.630208445713,-0.400000005960464],[-33.1773120816797,151.62970578298,0.800000011920929],[-33.1773712579161,151.629769736901,0.800000011920929],[-33.1773751974106,151.629792200401,0],[-33.1773068848997,151.629787338898,0.600000023841858],[-33.1770650669932,151.630019685254,0.800000011920929],[-33.1770276837051,151.630061594769,0],[-33.1768959201872,151.630239626393,0],[-33.1760630942881,151.631549885496,-0.600000023841858],[-33.1758517026901,151.632240219042,0],[-33.1758786924183,151.632336527109,-0.400000005960464],[-33.1755055300891,151.632705498487,0],[-33.1755621079355,151.633490296081,0.600000023841858],[-33.1756155006588,151.633754158393,-1],[-33.1757780257612,151.634096642956,-2.20000004768372],[-33.175679622218,151.634067557752,-2],[-33.1757900118828,151.634316081181,-1.39999997615814],[-33.175780037418,151.634493106976,-0.200000002980232],[-33.1755081284791,151.634942796081,4],[-33.1755089666694,151.634952938184,4.19999980926514],[-33.1753489561379,151.63551335223,6],[-33.1753226369619,151.635992377996,9.39999961853027],[-33.1756286602467,151.637298446149,8.39999961853027],[-33.1755437515676,151.637523164973,8.60000038146973],[-33.1754560768604,151.637600362301,7.40000009536743],[-33.1754513829947,151.637611426413,6.59999990463257],[-33.1754865031689,151.637582508847,8],[-33.1754771992564,151.637454433367,9.60000038146973],[-33.1753892730922,151.637178249657,10.6000003814697],[-33.1753689050674,151.636717664078,10],[-33.1752739381045,151.635427353904,6.40000009536743],[-33.1752654723823,151.635207999498,6.59999990463257],[-33.1751973275095,151.634948411956,9.80000019073486],[-33.1751895323396,151.634819917381,13],[-33.1751516461372,151.634705001488,12],[-33.174992473796,151.634480366483,8.60000038146973],[-33.1749849300832,151.63437760435,5.19999980926514],[-33.1749488040805,151.634233351797,2],[-33.1749472953379,151.634220778942,2],[-33.1749573536217,151.634115586057,0.800000011920929],[-33.1749375723302,151.634051799774,-0.200000002980232],[-33.1748527474701,151.633902182803,-1.39999997615814],[-33.1743092648685,151.633478142321,-2.20000004768372],[-33.1738977972418,151.633330956101,-1.79999995231628],[-33.1733372993767,151.633035326377,-4],[-33.1732632871717,151.633005067706,-6],[-33.1728816591203,151.632895600051,-5.80000019073486],[-33.17192947492,151.632447084412,-6],[-33.17098852247,151.631850125268,-5.59999990463257],[-33.1702637393028,151.631504371762,-5.19999980926514],[-33.1693804543465,151.630662577227,-1.39999997615814],[-33.1693004071712,151.630629803985,-0.400000005960464],[-33.1689777038991,151.630465267226,2.79999995231628],[-33.1689690705389,151.630459902808,3],[-33.1687895301729,151.630282122642,6.19999980926514],[-33.1687775440514,151.630278602242,6.40000009536743],[-33.1685078144073,151.630189418793,5.19999980926514],[-33.1684115901589,151.630221018568,4],[-33.1682613026351,151.630182461813,3.59999990463257],[-33.1681809201837,151.629843749106,2.79999995231628],[-33.1682040542364,151.629804186523,3],[-33.1683522462845,151.629705112427,4.19999980926514],[-33.1685339659452,151.629483662546,6.19999980926514],[-33.1685514841229,151.629466228187,6.40000009536743],[-33.1687273364514,151.628980832174,8.80000019073486],[-33.1689721718431,151.628986028954,10.1999998092651],[-33.169415993616,151.62897865288,13.3999996185303],[-33.1696265470237,151.629158444703,16.7999992370605],[-33.1697478331625,151.629190379754,18.7999992370605],[-33.1698752380908,151.629255926237,22],[-33.1700917426497,151.629304792732,25],[-33.1704748794436,151.629302613437,28],[-33.1708505563438,151.629410069436,31.3999996185303],[-33.1709430925548,151.629398502409,32.5999984741211],[-33.1710513867438,151.629415014759,33.5999984741211],[-33.1713735871017,151.6294997558,37],[-33.1716426461935,151.62969186902,40],[-33.171839537099,151.629704190418,41.4000015258789],[-33.1719114538282,151.629741657525,42.2000007629395],[-33.1721044890583,151.629646606743,43.2000007629395],[-33.1726425234228,151.629473688081,44.4000015258789],[-33.1730860937387,151.629438987002,46.7999992370605],[-33.1737883295864,151.629633363336,50.2000007629395],[-33.1740870606154,151.629770826548,52.2000007629395],[-33.1744266953319,151.62960620597,55.4000015258789],[-33.1745417788625,151.629536803812,56.4000015258789],[-33.1751896999776,151.628426034003,58],[-33.1753150932491,151.62795539014,57],[-33.1752974912524,151.627128850669,58.7999992370605],[-33.1753119081259,151.626966912299,62],[-33.1753487046808,151.626883931458,63],[-33.1753826513886,151.626790054142,64.1999969482422],[-33.1753817293793,151.626708498225,65.1999969482422],[-33.175375694409,151.62661110051,66.1999969482422],[-33.1753635406494,151.626482857391,67.1999969482422],[-33.1755297537893,151.626179851592,68],[-33.1757230404764,151.626093937084,70.8000030517578],[-33.1759159080684,151.625892855227,68.4000015258789],[-33.175941137597,151.625883299857,68.4000015258789],[-33.177051153034,151.625478956848,67.4000015258789],[-33.177349967882,151.625283407047,70.8000030517578],[-33.1774809770286,151.625163462013,70.8000030517578],[-33.177859922871,151.624864144251,71],[-33.1781953666359,151.624574046582,72.8000030517578],[-33.1782322470099,151.624543201178,72.8000030517578],[-33.1788665894419,151.623985217884,73.5999984741211],[-33.1792484689504,151.623889161274,77.4000015258789],[-33.1793264206499,151.62384532392,77.4000015258789],[-33.1794652249664,151.623745076358,76.1999969482422],[-33.179646609351,151.623421451077,79.5999984741211],[-33.1797349546105,151.623261105269,81.8000030517578],[-33.1798504572362,151.623184243217,83],[-33.1802487652749,151.622971845791,86],[-33.1803050078452,151.622942844406,87.4000015258789],[-33.1803836300969,151.623091539368,89.1999969482422],[-33.1803858093917,151.623088689521,88.4000015258789],[-33.1803685426712,151.622821725905,89.4000015258789],[-33.1803250405937,151.622582757846,89.8000030517578],[-33.1803589873016,151.622060565278,88.5999984741211],[-33.1803901679814,151.621764181182,85],[-33.1804369390011,151.621246095747,80.5999984741211],[-33.180479016155,151.620567413047,77.1999969482422],[-33.1804852187634,151.620449060574,77],[-33.1804818660021,151.620221156627,76.1999969482422],[-33.1804045848548,151.619738191366,74.8000030517578],[-33.1805267091841,151.619211137295,70.8000030517578],[-33.1808429583907,151.61899857223,68],[-33.1810924038291,151.618924308568,67],[-33.1814835034311,151.61872163415,63.2000007629395],[-33.1817905325443,151.618496663868,59.5999984741211],[-33.1819664686918,151.618318632245,57],[-33.1822004914284,151.617846144363,53.5999984741211],[-33.1822548061609,151.617541210726,51.5999984741211],[-33.1823063548654,151.617127312347,47.2000007629395],[-33.1823180057108,151.616863198578,42.7999992370605],[-33.182376679033,151.616711402312,38.7999992370605],[-33.1824878230691,151.616669492796,35.7999992370605],[-33.1826431397349,151.61680938676,31.7999992370605],[-33.1827673595399,151.617010300979,28.7999992370605],[-33.1829091813415,151.61706738174,25],[-33.1829681061208,151.617035111412,24.2000007629395] ] });
				GV_Draw_Track(t);
				
				t = 1; GV_Add_Track_to_Tracklist({bullet:'- ',name:trk[t].info.name,desc:trk[t].info.desc,color:trk[t].info.color,number:t});
				
				
				
				GV_Finish_Map();
					
			}
			GV_Map(); // execute the above code
			// https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=leaflet
		</script>
		
		
		
	</body>
	
</html>

We recently spent a long weekend camping in Munmorah State Conservation Area, a compact coastal park roughly two and a half hours north of Sydney. Mentioning winter camping to my Aussie co-workers invariably draws looks of sheer horror and concern for my survival. Truth be told, an Australian winter night on the coast is no different to camping in the UK during spring or early autumn—brisk nights around the campfire, followed by crisp, perfectly sunny days without the summer humidity or crowds.

Tucked inside the park is a string of pristine beaches, with Moonee Beach and its immediate neighbour, Ghosties Beach, taking top billing. An out-and-back track leads down from the headland straight to the sand—a cracking little walk and an ideal way to spend a bright winter morning.

There is a small parking area right at the trailhead, reached via an unpaved dirt track—easily manageable in a standard 2WD, provided you don't mind giving the car a generous coating of dust. The sun was out, and it was surprisingly warm as we strapped on our day packs and set off down the Moonee Beach Track.

Flat Rocks Point

The small parking area at the trailhead

The Moonee Beach Trail

Moonee Beach Trail

Moonee Beach

Like so much of the New South Wales coast, Moonee Beach is exceptionally pretty and blissfully undeveloped. At its southern end, the rocky headland of Flat Rocks Point juts into the Pacific, creating a natural barrier between Moonee and neighbouring Ghosties Beach. Tucked beneath the cliffs, a modest network of sand dunes offers a neat little shortcut linking the two beaches together.

Moonee Beach

Ghosties Beach is smaller than Moonee but dials up the drama, backed by a wall of imposing sandstone cliffs. Right at the far end sits an ominous, gaping maw in the rockface—the entrance to the famous Ghosties sea cave. It’s widely considered one of the finest walkthrough sea caves along the East Coast, though it’s notoriously temperamental; heavy swells frequently shift huge drifts of sand, entirely burying the entrance. We got lucky and found it wide open, though it’s definitely a spot to treat with respect. You need a low tide and a calm swell to explore safely, as incoming waves can quickly wash right through the chamber.

Ghosties Beach

The entrance to the sea cave at the far end of the beach

Ghosties Beach

The entrance to the sea cave

Entering the sea cave

Ghosties Beach sea cave

After exploring the dark depths of the cave, we backtracked along Ghosties Beach and scrambled out to the exposed rocky ledge of Flat Rocks Point. It made for a brilliant spot to pull up a piece of rock, unpack some lunch, and keep an eye on the horizon for migrating humpback whales. Winter is peak season along the NSW coast for the "Humpback Highway", with tens of thousands of whales travelling north from Antarctica to the warmer breeding waters of Queensland—a proper spectacle if you catch a breach or a blow out at sea.

Ghosties Beach

Heading out to Flat Rocks Point

Flat Rocks Point

Looking back to Ghosties Beach

Moonee Beach

Refreshed, we picked our way back along Moonee Beach towards the main track, crossing paths with a vast army of blue soldier crabs frantically marching across the damp sand at low tide. The final leg back to the trailhead involves a few brief, steep pinches to climb back up the headland—just enough to remind you that you've been on a walk—before delivering us right back to the car.

Heading back to Moonee Beach

Moonee Beach

One of NSW's resident Soldier Crabs

Moonee Beach

Moonee Beach Trail

It’s easy to see why this stretch of the Central Coast is such a favourite. Packing in sea caves, whale-spotting ledges, and quiet sands into a manageable sub-8km loop, Moonee and Ghosties Beach make for an exceptional coastal day out. Just remember to check the tide charts before you set off if you want to get into the cave safely—and maybe don't tell my Aussie co-workers how pleasant winter camping actually is, or they'll all be at it!

Sunday, 5 July 2020

Moonee Beach & Ghosties Beach

Moonee Beach & Ghosties Beach

No comments :

Post a Comment