Trail Fast Facts

Five Islands walking track is a 2.4km, grade 4 hike in Saltwater National Park, New South Wales. This hike typically takes 1 hour to complete.

Length: 2.4km

Duration: 1 hr

Grade 4 (Hard)

Style: Return

Start: 460 Saltwater Rd

End: 460 Saltwater Rd

Location: Saltwater National Park

State: New South Wales

Nearby town: Wallabi Point

From state capital: 320km

Latitude: -32.00773024

Longitude: 152.56415605545047

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

Photos

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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.

Track Grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

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

Map and GPX file

Five Islands Walking Track (2.4km)

Total distance: 2546 m
Max elevation: 17 m
Min elevation: 8 m
Total climbing: 31 m
Total descent: -29 m

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Trail Location (trailhead)

Getting there

Five Islands Walking Track (2.4km)

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.

Get directions

Photo gallery

Upload your photos

If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.

Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.

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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

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? 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.

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Reviews

Five Islands Walking Track (2.4km)

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