Three Walks at Monument Hill

Three Walks at Monument Hill

Start at the car park in front of Trial Bay Gaol. 1. Distance: 1.3 kilometres return, Difficulty: Easy From the car park, go approximately 100 metres back to some steps on the left. This is the start of the well-defined track which leads uphill through casuarinas. Along the way, you'll find a lookout towards the ocean and one towards the bay and the mountains. At the monument are good views of the ocean and explanatory signs about the history. Return to the car park or continue on the next walk. 2. Distance: 3.5 kilometres, Difficulty: Easy Continue from the monument further uphill and then down to Little Bay. At the summit, the view opens up to the south and the vegetation changes markedly. Especially in spring, there is an abundance of wild flowers. You might see wallabies grazing or resting on grassy patches, particularly towards the cliffs. At Little Bay, there are picnic facilities and toilets. The small beach is framed by colourful cliffs. Due to strong currents, swimming can be dangerous. From Little Bay, you can loop back via Bridle Track, Powder Magazine Track and Monument Hill Track. 3. Distance: 4.5 kilometres, Difficulty: Easy You may like to include a walk through the park to Overshoot Dam, or as it is known locally, the Duck Pond. Several mobs of kangaroos live in this area, providing fabulous photo opportunities. A variation on the return from Little Bay is following the Bridle Track to the Trial Bay Gaol Access Road, turn left, walk about 50 metres, cross the road and turn right into the beach access road. Another 50 metres and you'll see National Parks office facilities on the right. Just before the buildings is a track with a boom gate leading towards Trial Bay Gaol. Yet another variation is finishing the walk along the beach. Keep going at the National Parks buildings and through a parking area until you reach the beach. Turn right towards the Gaol. Credit: Macleay Walking Trails by Christa Schwoebel and John Cruickshanks