14 Tidal River – Norman Pt Option – Little Oberon Bay – Oberon Bay Campsite – Tidal River (2024)

IMG_5526 Stairs over Huge Tor at Little Oberon Bay 3

NB. The following information was current at the time of the event

Distance:  15.2 Km   |  Duration:  Hrs   |  Grade:  Grade 3   |  Rating:  3   |  Style:  Return   |  Map

About the Walk

Overview

This walk starts at the Commando Memorial at Tidal River, and follows the Ring Road Westward, towards the beach. It has an option to visit Norman Point then on to Little Oberon Bay, Oberon Bay Campsite and back to Tidal River

The Walk in Detail

This walk starts at the Commando Memorial at Tidal River, and follows the Ring Road Westward, towards the beach. Turn right at the junction with ‘Main Road’, into a carpark, then immediately turn left and follow signage down ‘Second Ramp’, to Norman beach.

Walk South down Norman Beach for about 1.5 Km, to the end of the beach, then take the track up off the beach.

The track heads South towards Norman Point, via a new boardwalk and footbridge. You reach a junction after about 1.4 Km, to a track out to Norman Point. This is an optional diversion, of 200 m each way, with a nice view at the Point.

The track continues up over a little hill (60 m ascent) to Little Oberon Bay, a distance of about 900 m. There is a new (and iconic) set of metal stairs here, up over a huge glacial tor and down to the beach!

Walk South down the beach until you can see the outflow of a small creek. About 90 m before reaching the creek, take a sandy track up the dune away from the beach. This leads to a good place to cross the (mostly dry) creek.

The track continues South through coastal heath, towards Oberon Bay, for about 1.6 Km. Here, you need to cross Growler Creek to get down onto Oberon Beach. Growler Creek is tidal, so at high tide, you may decide to save your boots and get your feet wet.

Walk South along Oberon Beach for about 1.3 Km. Just before reaching Fraser’s Creek, look for a foot-pad just above the beach, near the edge of the Ammophila grass holding the dune in place. This pad becomes a path which leads inland above and beside Fraser’s Creek. After about 100 m, you will find signage at an open grassy area which houses the toilet and water tank for the Oberon Bay campsite. The campsite is about 150 metres along a foot track on the west side of the toilet – you may wish to have a look! The Oberon Bay Track also continues Eastward from here, towards ‘Telegraph Junction’ and the Eastern side of the Prom.

When you are ready, you can retrace your steps back to Tidal River. The Northern side of Growler Creek is a nice place to have lunch!

Return to Tidal River by back-tracking. When you reach Norman Beach, you can either follow your footprints up the beach, or take a somewhat more direct route to Tidal River. If you select the latter, go straight ahead, through a beautiful Paperbark forest (about 1.2 Km to the Tidal River Ring Road, cross the road, and you have a further 400 m to the ice cream shop, the Parks Office and the Commando Memorial).

Getting There

Walk Precautions

Additional Information