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Category: Newcastle

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Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

The Fossilised Forest at Dudley Beach

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

In addition to being a great beach, Dudley Beach has a rock platform containing a fossilised forest which is visible at low tide. The area contains the remnants of tree branches and stumps, which are all that remains of an ancient forest.

Getting There

Located south of Newcastle, Dudley Beach has a large well maintained car park, which makes access to the beach easy. From the car park, a sandy trail leads down to the beach.

If you intend seeing the fossilised forest, make sure to check the tides, because the rock platform is only exposed then. Unfortunately, at times, shifting sand occasionally covers the fossils. Even then, you are able to explore the rock platform and beach, which are worth visiting themselves.

Dudley Beach

Access Down to the Beach
Access Down to the Beach
Dudley Beach
Dudley Beach

Rock Platform

The wave cut rock platform where the fossilised forest sits is underwater at high tide. This makes the rocks slippery because many are covered in algae. Only visit at low tide and take care, so as to avoid a fall.

The platform’s surface has many small tidal rock pools, often the home of shellfish and crabs. Some are colourful, making them worth looking for.

Wave action has cut several large crevices into the rocks. These can provide some interesting photos during big swells as the waves crash through them.

Located above the rock platform, eroded cliffs show the effects of wind, rain and waves, with interesting forms weathered into their faces.

  • Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
  • Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
    Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
  • Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
  • Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
  • Small Tidal Pool
    Small Tidal Pool
  • Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
    Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
  • Eroded Sandstone
    Eroded Sandstone

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

The fossilised remained of the forest can be found on the rock platform at low tide. The most obvious remains are the tree stumps sticking up, as they rise above the level of the platform. Closer examination however reveals fossil branches and pieces of wood, stained with iron can be found.

  • Fossilised Wood
    Fossilised Wood
  • Fossilised Wood
    Fossilised Wood
  • Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
    Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
  • Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
    Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest Fossilised Tree Branch
    Fossilised Tree Branch
  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest Fossilised Tree Branch
    Fossilised Tree Branch
  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest
    The Fossilised Forest at Dudley Beach

Baby Blow Hole

On the far side of the rock platform, a crevice funnels waves so that a cavity has formed. This has broken through to the surface and in the right tidal conditions forms a small blowhole. Certainly not spectacular with water only shooting up a metre or two, but interesting. The Kiama blowhole would have looked like this once.

The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach
The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach

What Did We Think?

Dudley Beach and its fossilised forest was a fun visit. Not only did we find the fossils, but we saw a baby blowhole forming. A great beach, with good parking and added attractions.

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

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Burwood Beach Mining Heritage

Rusting Rail Wheels Buried in the Sand at Burwood Beach

Burwood Beach Mining Heritage

Located south of Merewether Ocean Baths, Burwood Beach is not only a great surfing beach, but has relics from the areas mining heritage.

There are several ways to get to the beach, each with its own benefits.

  1. The Yuelarbah Track, which winds down a Flaggy Creek, is a great hike in coastal eucalyptus forest.
  2. Hickson Street Lookout, which provides excellent views as you walk down to the beach
  3. From Merewether Baths for a walk along the beach without much up and down hill hiking.

We have walked all three and the Yuelarbah Track is the more interesting, because it winds through some beautiful bushland. However, it is also the most difficult, due to the track and need to walk back uphill when returning.

On our most recent trip we walked in from Merewether Baths, mainly because we hadn’t gone this way before. We found it to be a straightforward walk along the beach.

Several of the relics are located on the rock platforms, so the best time to visit is low tide. This ensures that you can see everything while remaining safe.

Railway Wheel on the Rock Platform

When walking from Merewether Baths at low tide, a railway wheel is visible on the rock platform. This relic is now covered in seaweed and shellfish, which have made it their home on.

  • Rusty Rail Wheel on the Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
    Rusty Rail Wheel on the Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
  • Marine Growth on a Railway Wheel Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
    Marine Growth on a Railway Wheel
  • Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth
    Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth
  • Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth
    Marine Growth Covered Railway Wheel at Low Tide

Railway Wheels in the Sand

Further along the beach are three rusty wheels buried in the sand, but partially exposed.

  • Rusting Rail Wheels Buried in the Sand at Burwood Beach
    Rusting Rail Wheels Buried in the Sand at Burwood Beach

Remains of the Burwood Beach Mining Heritage Rail Line

A rail line once ran along the dunes hauling coal to the copper smelter but is now decaying as nature reclaims it. Rusting rail lines and sleepers, now exposed in places where wind and rain have revealed them poke through the sand.

  • Rusted Railway Tracks Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
    Rusted Railway Tracks
  • Old Rusting Railway Tracks
    Old Rusting Railway Tracks

Rail Wheels in the Sand Dunes

Near the exposed rail lines are several railway wheels, which are abandoned and rusting in the dunes.

  • Rusty Rail Wheel in the Sand Dunes at Burwood Beach
    Rusty Rail Wheel in the Sand Dunes at Burwood Beach
  • Rusty Rail Wheel at Burwood Beach Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
    Rusty Rail Wheel at Burwood Beach

The Coal Seam

A reminder of the coal mined here exists in the cliff face, where the exposed coal seam contrasts with the lighter coloured rocks around it.

  • Exposed Coal Seam at Burwood Beach Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
    Exposed Coal Seam at Burwood Beach

What Did We Think?

We thought Burwood Beach was a relaxed place to visit, because of the few people there. The relics from the mining past were a great addition to the day, as they lie exposed and readily visible.

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The Lock-Up Old Newcastle Police Station

In the Exercise Yard

The Lock-Up

You will find The Lock-Up at 90 Hunter Street in the heart of the Newcastle CBD, making it very accessible. We walked from a carpark on Wharf Rd, but if you use public transport, the closest light rail stop is Newcastle Beach, making it only a five-minute walk away.

The Building

Built in 1861 as an addition to the adjacent Police Station, the Lock-Up is one of several important historical buildings in the area. Walking through the building with no exhibition on, gives you a feel for how austere the building was, because the rooms are small and dark. With strong wooden are metal doors the cells are very dark as there is little natural light.

Even the exercise yard is bleak because it is exposed to the weather. This would have made it hot in summer and cold in winter.

  • The Cell Doors in The Lock-Up
    The Cell Doors
  • The Old Gaol Cell in The Lock-Up
    The Old Gaol Cell in The Lock-Up
  • Old Gaol Cell
    Old Gaol Cell
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace in The Lock-Up
  • In the Exercise Yard in The Lock-Up
    In the Exercise Yard

Art Exhibition

The Lockup describe themselves as: “The Lock-Up’s innovatively curated program promotes current, experimental and diverse practices from local, national and international creatives.”

Before visiting, check to see if something different is on display, because Exhibitions are constantly renewed. When we visited contemporary display by Rosie Deacon was present, adding interest to the visit.

  • Art Exhibition
    Art Exhibition
  • Art Exhibition
    Art Exhibition
  • In the Exercise Yard
    In the Exercise Yard
  • In the Exercise Yard in The Lockup
    In the Exercise Yard in The Lock-Up

Our photos are available for purchase on

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