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
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 
Large Crevice in the Rock Platform 
Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide 
Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide 
Small Tidal Pool 
Large Crevice in the Rock Platform 
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 
Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks 
Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks 
Fossilised Tree Branch 
Fossilised Tree Branch 
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.
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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Are those “remnants of tree branches and stumps” in the first photo? They look like rocks and sand. I guess they could also become coal or petroleum…
I suppose they really are rocks, as that’s what the wood has been replaced by. Over time, minerals replace the wood’s structure and it becomes rock. A little different to coal, which is still organic.