Pearly Ponds
This is one of those Central Coast bushwalks that's a bit of a well-kept local secret. Hidden away among the gum trees at Pearl Beach you'll find an oasis, complete with swimming hole and a dramatic waterfall. It's all along a rock platform up high in the bush and offers plenty of inviting opportunities to get your green time happening.
There's a narrow bush track leading up to the ponds. Most of the track is easy to navigate, but before you get to the top you'll need to work your way carefully around a large boulder. Why carefully? Well, it sits on a ledge, alongside a waterfall with a steep drop. You can either go behind the boulder or in front of it, but either way watch your step and definitely supervise kids carefully here.
Once you're up, you can see the top of the waterfall (stay clear of the edge!) and walk further into the bush along the rock platform. Our kids love racing leaves in the streams here, and investigating the many puddles for bugs.
Walk a little further and you'll find the waterhole. People regularly swim in here (it can get quite crowded at peak times!), and there's even a rope swing hanging from the trees. A path around the edge takes you up behind the main pool, where there are yet more puddles and some rock grooves made by First Nations people many years ago. I'm not sure how far back you can keep exploring here but we were content to stay at the waterhole and soak in the natural magic of this beautiful spot.
Secret Nature Business
Risky play! There are a few tricky sections to navigate on this walk which are soo good for kids - enhancing problem solving skills, emotional resilience and self confidence. Climbing up and over rocks is great for coordination and general fitness, and the memory of arriving at the beautiful waterhole will be something you'll all take home to treasure.
Getting To: Pearly Ponds, Pearl Beach
Park on Emerald Avenue, Pearl Beach, near the Rural Fire Brigade building. A fire trail starts to the south behind the building, with a smaller bush track running alongside it. You can take either path, but if you start on the fire trail look out for a small staircase on your right and follow it up. (If you get to a gate, you've gone too far!) The walk is about 1.4km return.