Five Islands walking track is a 2.4km, grade 4 hike located in Saltwater National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 1 hour to complete.
Hike overview
Experience the beauty of coastal landscape on Five Islands walking track as you explore the surrounding salt and fresh water environments. Setting out from Saltwater picnic area, this flat to gently rippled walk meanders through coastal heath and paperbark swamp before it crosses over Saltwater Gully, where you'll enter Khappinghat Nature Reserve in the west.
Aboriginal heritage is plentiful at Saltwater National Park, and along this walk you'll see traces of their heritage in the form of scarred trees, middens and fish traps. Saltwater Gully forms part of a system of waterways which means you'll experience rainforest, mangroves, salt flats, sedge and wetlands, all in one walk. Khappinghat Creek, where you can see the 'five islands', is the largest area of undeveloped wetlands and the only naturally opening and closing estuarine system on the mid north coast of NSW.
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 17 m
Min elevation: 8 m
Total climbing: 31 m
Total descent: -29 m
Tips
- It's a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out and remember to take a hat and drinking water
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
Trail location
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Getting there
Five Islands walking track starts at Saltwater picnic area in Saltwater National Park. To get there:Take Old Bar Road from Taree/Pacific HighwayDrive 10km east and turn right into Saltwater RoadFollow Saltwater Road past the village of Wallabi PointSaltwater picnic area is at the end of Saltwater Road Parking Parking is available at Saltwater picnic area.
Gallery
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Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.