Metcalfes walking track
Crowdy Bay National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Metcalfes walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.7km one-way
Time
15 - 45min
Quality of markings
Sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Steps
Occasional steps
Gradient
Flat: After you pass Kylies Hut, the walk has a slight downward slope, gradually descending towards Kylies Beach.
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles: The walk begins from Indian Head campground as a 4.5m-wide hard-packed ground management trail.
At around the halfway point, it narrows to a 1m-wide gravel walking track before becoming hard-packed ground again.
Other barriers
Gates: There's one locked gate along the track near Indian Head campground, but there's enough room for a pram, mobility scooter or wheelchair to get around it.
Other barriers: There are exposed tree roots along parts of this track.
Getting there and parking
Metcalfes walking track links Indian Head campground and Kylies Beach campground in the northern section of Crowdy Bay National Park. Access is via Diamond Head Road.
Parking
Parking is available in gravel carparks at Indian Head campground or Kylies Beach campground.
Best times to visit
Crowdy Bay National Park generally enjoys a warm subtropical climate. However outside of winter the temperature can reach above 30C, so be sure to carry sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. Drinking water is not available within the park. Winter days and nights can be cool to cold, particularly in exposed areas of the park.
Spring
Wildflowers paint the dunes and heath in spectacular colour during spring.
Summer
Swimming, boating and fishing – enjoy the delights of Crowdy Bay's magnificent beaches Look out for the festive Christmas Bell blooms.
Winter
Remember your binoculars and camera to experience the sight of migrating whales.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
19°C and 25°C
Highest recorded
43.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
10°C and 19°C
Lowest recorded
-1.7°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February and March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
310mm
Facilities
Toilets and picnic facilities are available at both Indian Head and Kylies Hut walk-in campground.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Metcalfes walking track is step-free, but there are some parts where people with reduced mobility may need assistance:
- Although the walk begins as a 4.5m-wide management trail, it narrows to a 1m-wide track halfway along the walk
- There are exposed tree roots at points along the track.
- From Kylies Hut, the walk starts to slope downwards as it heads towards Kylies Beach
The track surface is mostly hard-packed ground with a gravel section midway through the walk. There's a locked vehicle gate across the track near Indian Head campground, but there's enough space for a wheelchair, pram or mobility scooter to go around it.
There are accessible toilets and showers at Indian Head and Kylies Beach campgrounds, where this walk begins and ends.
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Operated by
- Port Macquarie office
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
- 02 6588 5555 for general enquiries only, no bookings.
- npws.hastingsmacleay@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 22 Blackbutt Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Park info
- in Crowdy Bay National Park in the North Coast region
Crowdy Bay National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day.
Buy annual pass