Newcastle Archives - Page 11 of 18 - Destination's Journey

23 September 20209 October 2020

Caves Beach Amazing Beautiful Views

Caves Beach

Located only 40 minutes south of Newcastle, Caves Beach is a relaxed southern suburb of Lake Macquarie. Named after the network of sea caves to the south of the beach, it is a great place to relax and explore the coast. If you want to explore the cave, make sure you go at low tide because at high tide, the cave is flooded, and access is cut off. You can check this on the internet. During the week we have found it to be quiet, but on a sunny weekend, it will be crowded, with people swimming and exploring the cave.

If you want to swim in the ocean, check that a lifeguard is on duty in the tower and swim between the flags to be safe.

Near the lifeguard tower is a steel sculpture, Norfolk 2019 by Kelly-Ann Lees, which reflects the seed cones dropped by the Norfolk Pines which are found in the area.

The Caves

Entering the cave is not dangerous. There are no warning signs and access is free. You can walk through the cave and out the other side to a rock platform. The cliff here also has some smaller caves to look at. The platform itself is quite interesting, with rock pools with algae growing in them. Be careful of your footing because the rocks can be slippery. Remember to check the tides, because the cave and rock platform are flooded at high tide.

Cave's Beach Sea Cave at High Tide — Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide

The Large Sea Cave at Caves Beach — Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide

Food and Refreshments

There is a kiosk next to the beach selling snacks and cold drinks during the week. Not far before the entrance to the carpark, you will find cafes and restaurants, if you want something more substantial. The beach area near the surf house also has barbecues and picnic area, along with a change house and toilets.

Caves Beach to Pinny Beach The Wallarah Coastal Walk

For some excellent views of the coast and to see some nice beaches, there is a walking trail from Caves Beach to Pinny Beach. The trails are rough in places and there are steps to climb, but it is generally an easy three kilometer one way walk. Along the way, lookouts let you look over beaches and rock platforms. Small trails also allow access to the beaches, which is a great way to extend your exploring of the area.

Sea Caves, Rock Platform and Beach — Caves Beach Viewed From the Cliff Top

Spoon Rocks

Originally built by a mining company for coal transportation, the breakwater’s shape is how this Spoon Rocks received its name. The spoon shape is visible on your way down the track to the beach.

The mining venture, with Silver Valley Minerals, didn’t proceed after it’s construction. However, the breakwater remains and provides protection from the swell at the beach. Although the water looks inviting, Spoon Rocks Beach is not patrolled, so swimming is not advised.

Pinny Beach

Located in Wallarah National Park, the Coastal Walk passes through locked vehicle gates. Designed to stop cars accessing the National Park, not people on foot, it’s safe to go past them. The views over the beach are amazing, but this was the end of our walk, so after a break for a snack, we returned to Caves Beach.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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21 September 202010 December 2020

Norah Head Lighthouse and Beaches

Looking Towards Soldiers Point and Pebbly Beach

Norah Head

Norah Head is home to beautiful beaches and a historic lighthouse, as well as the Merchant Mariners’ Memorial, making it a great place to visit.

Merchant Mariners’ Memorial

The memorial commemorates merchant mariners who have died in service or have been killed in action in times of conflict. Located in a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean, the main memorial is surrounded by plaques commemorating ships lost locally.

The Nimbin Memorial Plaque — Merchant Mariners’ Memorial

Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head Light is an active lighthouse located at Norah Head, a headland on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, close to Toukley. It is the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style to be built, and the last staffed lighthouse constructed in New South Wales.

Officially displayed for the first time in 1903, the original vaporized kerosene burner was upgraded in 1923, electrified in 1961 and automated and de-manned in 1994, after more than 90 years of being staffed. It celebrated its centenary in 2003.

The concrete block tower is 27.5 metres (90 ft) high, topped by a bluestone gallery. On top of the gallery is the original Chance Bros. lantern. This lantern holds the original housing of the Chance Bros. 1st order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens.

Tours of the lighthouse are not currently available, however these may resume in the future, so you should check to see if they are running.

Norah Head Beaches

From the lighthouse, steps lead down to the rock platform and beach, making access easy. However, because of the uneven rock surface, the area is not suitable for prams and wheelchairs. Popular for fishing, the rock platform also offers some interesting geological formations to look at. Weathering has left some interesting patterns on rocks and the waves have cut channels in the platform.

Following the shoreline south, you will find a nice sandy beach. However, to get there means climbing over some rocks, which we enjoyed, but others may not, as they are slippery, high and uneven. If the tide is fully out you maybe able to access the beach to get around them. At the edge of the beach are several small caves which were fun to sit in and watch the surf crashing on the beach.

Further along the coast is Pebbly Beach, which has another rock platform and great views over the ocean.

Wooden Steps Down to Norah Head Rock Platform

Caves on the Beach — Wooden Steps Down to Norah Head Rock Platform

Soldiers Beach

Located south of Pebbly Beach and the lighthouse, Soldiers Beach is a popular swimming spot. Easy access from the carpark means that more people visit here than the beaches to the north of Soldiers Point.

In addition to the excellent beach, walk over the point itself at low tide, there are some great rock pools to explore. A kiosk at the carpark serves snacks and drinks, which is great on a hot day.

The amenities block has a beautiful whale painting on it, turning an otherwise boring building into something beautiful.

Soldiers Beach Norah Head — Soldiers Point Norah Head

Food and Drinks

If the cafe at the lighthouse is not open, another great option is the General Store on Bush street. It has plenty of parking nearby and seating available outside, so that you can enjoy the relaxed surroundings.

20 September 20209 October 2020

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, was established in 1980. First housed in Lake Macquarie’s former council chambers on Main Road at Speers Point, the gallery relocated to First Street, Booragul in 1996.

The gallery originally occupied Awaba House on this site from 1996 to 2000 when a decision was made to construct the new state-of-the-art facility. At the time we visited there had been a fire and Awaba House had been extensively damaged. Launched in May 2001 the new art gallery building saw the addition of an art seminar room in 2008. In 2019, a further expansion provided additional gallery space.

Entrance to MAC — Entrance to Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie

How to Get There

Located at First Street, Booragul, the gallery overlooks Lake Macquarie, providing great views in a relaxing setting. A small car park next to the gallery is convenient, however, if this is full more is available on-street nearby.

Sculpture Park

Located on 5 hectares between the gallery and lakeshore, the Sculpture Park includes work by local and national artists. Launched in 1996, the sculpture park has continued to develop and currently comprises 16 sculptures by 11 artists.

We spent some time walking around the sculptures before entering the gallery.

Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie Collection

Comprised of four focus areas, the Visual Arts Collection includes works by highly-regarded national, international and Hunter-based artists.

The collection has a core group of works by established contemporary Australian artists. This includes a number of works by Sir William Dobell, large-scale contemporary sculptures and Indigenous works.

We loved walking around the gallery, because it has great diversity for such a small venue. We found it had a lot to offer and enjoyed our time there. With works ranging from Sir William Dobell to contemporary artists, the collection is worth the visit.

Gallery at the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie — Gallery at the Museum

Coffee Shop

Sculpture Cafe is a licensed venue and offers morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Seating is both inside and on the deck overlooking the Sculpture Park and the lake. We enjoyed morning tea on the deck because of the wonderful views.

What Did We Think?

We enjoyed our visit because of the diverse range of art on display. The outdoor park was fun to walk around, while the quality works inside were amazing. To add to this was the wonderful location of the coffee shop with its great views.

Category: Newcastle

Caves Beach Amazing Beautiful Views