About the project
The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to develop a master plan for a coastal trail between Caves Beach and Budgewoi on the NSW Central Coast.
The project is delivering a master plan for a continuous coastal trail from Caves Beach to Budgewoi that promotes safe and sustainable nature-based recreation for local communities while protecting environmental and cultural values. The proposed coastal trail is mostly within Wallarah National Park and Munmorah State Conservation Area.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is managing the development of the master plan. The project is being delivered in partnership with Transport for NSW.
Lying east of Lake Macquarie and 2 km from Swansea, Wallarah National Park is located between Catherine Hill Bay and Caves Beach. It falls within the Sydney Basin Bioregion.
The park and surrounding area have elevated coastal heathlands and sandstone cliffs and provide beautiful scenery with ocean and lake views. The park is popular for bushwalking, swimming and fishing at Pinny Beach, and cycling along management trails. There are beautiful scenic walking tracks and trails in the park that run along Wallarah Peninsula linking Caves Beach to the north with Pinny Beach.
Munmorah State Conservation Area is located on the Central Coast between Budgewoi and Catherine Hill Bay, approximately 40 km north of Gosford.
Munmorah State Conservation Area is a relatively large coastal area with 12 km of spectacular coastline, rugged cliffs and panoramic views of the Tuggerah Lakes system. It is popular for walking, picnicking, camping, swimming and fishing.
Download the overview map (PDF 2.4MB).
The master plan explained
A master plan is a non-statutory document that outlines a broad, long-term vision and strategic framework to guide how an area – such as a park or group of parks – may evolve over time. It considers the entire area and provides direction for future use, including visitor and operational infrastructure and experiences.
For this project, the master plan focuses on high-level guidance, such as proposed visitor infrastructure and a potential route for the coastal trail, rather than detailed design solutions. It is important to note that the draft master plan is conceptual. We have sought community input to help refine the vision before moving into feasibility analysis, detailed design and environmental planning approval stages.
Download the draft master plan
Public consultation
The draft master plan was on public exhibition from 12 June to 17 July 2026.
Submissions collected during the public exhibition period will be considered and the master plan finalised in collaboration with stakeholders.
Register your interest
Complete the form below to register your interest in the Caves Beach to Budgewoi Coastal Trail project.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is collecting your personal information.
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We are collecting your information so we can provide you with updates about the project.
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We will not share your information with anyone else unless you give your consent, or the law requires or allows us to do so.
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To access or correct your information, please contact:
Information Access and Privacy Unit
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 02 8275 1095
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Next steps
The Caves Beach to Budgewoi master plan will be finalised towards the end of 2026.
The project will then be ready to undergo further feasibility analysis, detailed design and environmental and heritage assessments so it can be considered for funding.
Construction will be subject to funding availability.
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Snapper Point, Munmorah State Conservation Area -
Pinny Beach, Wallarah National Park -
Frazer Beach, Munmorah State Conservation Area -
Snapper Point Track, Munmorah State Conservation Area -
Wallarah National Park and Munmorah State Conservation Area -
Wybung Head, Munmorah State Conservation Area