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Category: Geology

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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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Dubbo to Tamworth Road Trip

Five Antennas

Dubbo to Tamworth Road Trip

We planned a road trip to take us from our home town of Singleton to Dubbo, Gunnedah and Tamworth. Along the way we planned to stop at several other places and see what else there was to see.

During the trip we passed through several towns we visited before but have included them below with links to our blogs. If you are driving here for the first time these other towns have a lot to offer, so take your time and explore.

Merriwa

Having stopped at Merriwa many times in the past we drove through this time. A beautiful country time, with Silo art, and golden canola flowers at the right time of year. For more photos and more ideas, read our full blog here.

Welcome Sign Dubbo to Tamworth Road Trip
Merriwa Welcome Sign

Dunedoo

Now with a recently completed Silo art of the racehorse Winx, Dunedoo is a great place for a break driving those long country roads. We stopped here for a snack at the White Swan Cafe and walked around the Silo and sculpture garden. Our full story and pictures click here.

Winx and her Jockey Hugh Bowman Along with Trainer Chris Waller on the Dunedoo Silo Art
Winx and her Jockey Hugh Bowman Along with Trainer Chris Waller

Dubbo

Our first major stop with a two-night stay, Dubbo is a large regional town, with lots to offer. The main attraction is Taronga Western Plains Zoo, but Dubbo is much more than just the zoo. Historically it is the home of the Kamilaroi people, you can see their history at the Western Plains Cultural Centre. European settler history is on display throughout town with buildings like the Old Gaol. Slightly out of town at the airport learn the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, or discover astronomy at the Dubbo Observatory.

More detail and photos can be found in our Dubbo blog.

Black Rhinoceros
Black Rhinoceros

Coonabarabran

We didn’t stop in Coonabarabran this time, having spent a few days here before. However, if you have a extra few days, this is a great place to spent them, because it has attractions all around it. From Siding Spring Observatory and the Warrumbungle National Park to sandstone caves and sculptures in the bush, there is plenty to see and do. Read our blog on Coonabarabran here.

Diprotodon Skull at the Visitors' Centre Coonabarabran
Diprotodon Skull an extinct giant marsupial at the Visitors’ Centre

Gunnedah

Using its connection to Dorothea Mackellar to advantage, Gunnedah, has a memorial statue in addition to a huge piece of Silo art dedicated to the poet. The beautiful buildings in the town centre, along with a sculpture park, also make the town worth visiting. Our blog has more details and photos.

Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue
Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue

Baan Baa

A quick stop, as we passed through, when we saw the old bus being used as a grandstand for the local cricket club. A fun interesting stop, all the better for being unexpected.

Derelict Bus Dubbo to Tamworth Road Trip
Derelict Leyland Titan

Paul Wild Observatory

A great find, as we were unaware of this Observatory, until reading about it at our hotel. It was certainly worth the visit, being able to see five huge radio telescopes up close. Our blog has more details and photos.

Five Antennas
Five Antennas

Sawn Rocks

A marvel of nature and geology, Sawn Rocks appear to be organ pipes growing up a cliff in the Australian bush. An easy walk from a nice car park with picnic facilities and barbecues. See more details and photos here.

The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform

Barraba

Barraba was a quick stop on our way to Tamworth. A large silo art, visible from the highway, depicting a water diviner makes it a must stop if you like these huge art works.

Barraba Silo Art
Barraba Silo Art

Tamworth

The country music capital of Australia, Tamworth is famous for its music festival and hall of fame. Although many of the town’s attractions associate themselves with country music, the historical buildings in the centre of town provide something else to see.

Outside town, Goonoo Goonoo Station provides quality accommodation and dining. We spent the last night of our road trip here, enjoying the peaceful setting.

Tamworth Conservatorium of Music in the Old Dominican Convent Building
Tamworth Conservatorium of Music in the Old Dominican Convent Building

Wallabadah

Another surprise find during our trip, the First Fleet Memorial Garden at Wallabadah is a great stop. You get to stretch your legs while walking around a nice garden and discovering facts about the First Fleet. More information here.

Dubbo to Tamworth Road Trip Picnic Shade Area, Designed to Resemble a Sailing Ship
Picnic Shade Area, Designed to Resemble a Sailing Ship

Scone

Close enough to home for a day trip, we have visited Scone several times, so only stopped for petrol. Our Scone trip can be found here.

Dubbo to Tamworth Road Trip Campbell's Corner Scone NSW Australia
Campbell’s Corner
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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.