Forest walk to Sublime Point track is a 14km, grade 4 hike located in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, New South Wales. The hike should take around 5.5 hrs to complete.
Hike overview
The Illawarra Escarpment offers a full range of exciting walks. This extended hike combines several of the best, threading through magnificent cliff-top rainforest and dry eucalypts.
Start the walk at either Coalcliff (Wodi Wodi track) or Austinmer (Sublime Point track). Both trackheads are a short stroll from the train station. Your path then ascends sharply before snaking a leisurely 11km along Forest walk. Views are superb across the panoramic coast below, as you wander through upland swamps and tall blackbutt-apple shale forest. You're bound to capture some inspiring photos here.
You can cap it all off with a post-trek barbecue: at Sublime Point lookout, the track takes a steep turn down to Austinmer via a narrow cliff ledge and several ladders. The nearby Lady Fuller park, featuring picnic tables and toilets, offers a fitting end to your challenging, but rewarding hike. Take a virtual tour of Forest walk to Sublime Point track captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Route and GPX file
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Tips
The southern end of Forest walk joins the Woodward track, which adjoins Sublime Point. Sublime track runs between Sublime Point and Austinmer.
The weather in this area can be unpredictable, so please make sure you're well-prepared for your visit.
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.
Trail location
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Getting there
To Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coalcliff. Forest walk to Sublime Point track is in the Stanwell Park-Austinmer precinct of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. To get there:By car:From Stanwell Park, follow Lawrence Hargrave Drive for approximately 1.3kmThe walk begins at the Wodi Wodi trackhead, on the right.Alternatively, if starting from Austinmer:From Lawrence Hargrave Drive, turn into Moore StreetCrossover the railway bridge and continue straight along Balfour RoadTurn left into Hill Street and take the next left into Foothills RoadThe walk begins at the Sublime Point trackhead, on the right.By train:Take the South Coast line to Coalcliff stationWalk north approximately 600m along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, to the Wodi Wodi trackhead. The walk finishes in Austinmer.Access to the Sublime Point trackhead is via Hill Street then Foothills Road Park entry points Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coalcliff See on map Princes Highway, Bulli Tops See on map Parking Parking is available on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coalcliff and Foothills Road, Austinmer. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Gallery
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.
About the region
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area in the South Coast region
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. However, it is recommended that bushwalking only be undertaken during daylight hours because of the presence of cliff edges and other hazards.
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Gear to consider

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Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. Fill in an online trip intentions form to privately send important details about your adventure to your emergency contact. They can then inform emergency services if you don’t return on time.
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.