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.

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.

Toilets and picnic facilities are available at both Indian Head and Kylies Hut walk-in campground.

• Metcalfes walking track factsheet
• Metcalfes walking track map (964.1KB pdf)

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.

• Mermaid lookout track Mermaid lookout track takes you on a tour of Crowdy Bay National Park's secret surprises. Secluded coves, sweeping beaches and mountain views await you on this short hike.
• Metcalfes walking track Get up close with nature on Metcalfes walking track, which links Indian Head and Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park. It's a family friendly hike and the kids might even spot a koala.

• Crowdy Gap walking track The short and sweet Crowdy Gap walking track in Crowdy Bay National Park, near Taree, offers a stroll through rainforest with scenic views and the chance to see koalas.
• Diamond Head Loop walk Diamond Head loop walk offers scenic coastal views across Crowdy Bay National Park. Expect beaches, lookouts, and glinting rock faces, giving Diamond Head its name.

• Kylies Hut Visit Kylies Hut along Metcalfes walking track in Crowdy Bay National Park, near Port Macquarie. The historic hut was used as a writer’s retreat by award-winning Australian novelist Kylie Tennant.

Animals

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  White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

  White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

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  Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)

  One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.

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  Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

  One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.

Plants

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  Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)

  The black sheoak is one of a number of casuarina species found across the east coast of Australia and nearby tablelands. Growing to a height of 5-15m, these hardy Australian native plants can survive in poor or sandy soils. The barrel-shaped cone of the black sheoak grows to 10-30mm long.

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  Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

  An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.