National Parks and Wildlife Service reopened the Tomaree Head Summit Walk on the weekend following extensive works to repair damage caused by the severe weather event in March.

"The heavy rains we experienced in March led to widespread flooding and landslips within Tomaree National Park," NPWS Hunter Coast area manager Andrew Bond said.

"Once the worst of the weather passed, NPWS engaged a specialist geotechnical engineer to assess the track and confirm the remedial works that were required to repair the damage and make it safe for visitors.

"Over the past few weeks, we've been undertaking those works, stabilising the ground surface, removing approximately 25 metres of damaged track and laying a new spray emulsion walking surface.

"This new surface, which was prepared by a local plant hire contractor and laid by Toolijooa Environmental Restoration, will increase the longevity of this section of the track and help to protect the pristine natural environment of Tomaree National Park.

"We're very pleased to now be at the point where we can safely reopen the Tomaree Head Summit Walk."

More than 200,000 visitors make the short hike to the summit each year. The climb is a 2.2km return trip.

From the top, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Port Stephens coastline and history of the site's World War II gun emplacements.

Fencing and signage barred the entrance to the walk, near Tomaree Lodge, in the days after the heavy rain on March 17 to 20 when NPWS discovered the damage to the track.

The service was forced to double down on its efforts to bar entry to the track a few short weeks later, during the Easter long weekend, as visitors flocked to the mountain to hike up Tomaree Head.

The service expressed its disappointment that signage blocking access to track was ignored and removed.

At the same time NPWS was establishing firmer barriers to stop the public from attempting to make the then dangerous climb, it had engaged a specialist geotechnical engineer to assess the flood damage ahead of remediation works.

Mr Bond said the repair works had finished just in time for whale season, which officially kicks off on June 1. Tomaree Head is considered one of the best land-based vantage spots to view the migration.

"It's perfect timing with the whale migration season getting underway. We encourage everyone heading up to the summit to pack a pair of binoculars and see if you can spot a humpback heading north to warmer waters for the winter," he said.

NPWS advises that the Ocean Rocks walking track in Tomaree National Park remains closed due to a landslide in February.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: