Grade 1

Five Islands Walking Track (2.4km)

Saltwater National Park

New South Wales

2.4km

1 hr

Grade 4

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Hike at a glance

Quick overview: Discover the coastal beauty of the Five Islands walking track, a challenging yet rewarding 2.4km hike in Saltwater National Park, NSW. Experience diverse landscapes from coastal heath and swamp to rainforest and wetlands, with notable sights of Aboriginal heritage and the unique 'five islands' of Khappinghat Creek. This Grade 4 trail, best accessed from Saltwater picnic area, is a must for all bushwalkers seeking a varied and rich natural trek close to the mid north coast.

Length

Duration

Difficulty

Trail type

Route details

Max elevation: 17m
Min elevation: 8m
Total Ascent: 31m

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

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Grade 4 (hard) badge

Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.

Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.

Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.

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Preparation matters: Plan your short walk well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this day hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

Map and GPX file

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Think safety first

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head out.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes.

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →

Free checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

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Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, Grafton, Manning Point, Old Bar, Saltwater, Taree, Wallabi Point, Woolgoolga

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About the region

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Photo gallery

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Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.

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The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

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Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.

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Five islands walking track (2. 4km) trail hiking australia

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.

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