Tag: beach

  • Norah Head Lighthouse and Beaches

    Norah Head Lighthouse and Beaches

    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.

    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 Lighthouse
    Norah Head Lighthouse

    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.

    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.

    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.

  • Coogee Sydney New South Wales Australia

    Coogee Sydney New South Wales Australia

    An easy half-hour walk south from Coogee Beach will take you past some interesting rock pools and memorials.

    How to Get to Coogee

    A small car park at Coogee Beach is often full, so finding a spot to park in one of the surrounding streets might be needed. On a busy weekend, or school holidays, you might end up with a walk, but don’t worry, it’s worth it.

    Public transport is a great option, as there’s a bus stop outside the surf club on Arden Street.

    What to Do There

    Apart from spending time on the beautiful beach, Coogee is the start of the Coogee to Bondi Walk. A coastal walkway also heads south, along well-formed trails, providing excellent coastal views. The trail passes rock pools and swimming baths, which are all worth stopping to see.

    Having walked the track to Bondi before, we chose the Coastal Walk to the south, which took 30 minutes each way (going as far as the Ivor Rowe Rock Pool).

    Ross Jones Memorial Pool

    Located next to the Coogee Surf House, the Ross Jones Memorial Pool was built in 1947. During high tide and rough seas, waves crash over the concrete walls of the pool.

    Ross Jones Memorial Pool Coogee
    Ross Jones Memorial Pool Coogee
    Ross Jones Rockpool Coogee
    Ross Jones Rockpool Coogee

    Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial

    Located on the foreshore, Goldstein Reserve is the Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial. Dedicated to Australian lifesavers killed during World War One the sculpture shows a digger alongside a surf lifesaver. Standing next to a flagpole, both look out across the ocean.

    Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial
    Fallen Lifesavers National Memorial

    Wylie’s Baths

    Established in 1907, by champion long distance and underwater swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie, Wylie’s Baths is a beautiful ocean tidal pool. Managed by an independent Trust The baths open 365 days a year and caters for everyone from young children to seniors. There is an entry cost to swim here.

    Wylie’s daughter Wilhelmina, along with Fanny Durack, were Australia’s first two female Olympic swimming representatives. The first gold and silver swimming medals for a women’s event in the Olympics went to Durack and Wylie respectively.

    A memorial to Mina stands near the baths.

    Wylie's Baths Coogee
    Wylie’s Baths
    Mina Wylie
    Mina Wylie
    Coastal Views Around Coogee
    Coastal Views Around Coogee

    Ivor Rowe Rockpool

    A small, natural rock pool, the Ivor Rowe Rockpool is a great place for wading, or relaxing in the water. Rocks around the pool mat become slippery, so use care when climbing down.

    Around 2 km from Coogee Beach, the walk there passes many other pools, along with beautiful coastal views.

    Ivor Rowe Rockpool
    Ivor Rowe Rockpool

    What Did We Think?

    We loved the views and the rock pools along the walk, as well as learning the history of Mina Wylie. A fun place to visit with swimming options away from the ocean, or relaxing on the beach.

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

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Cathedral Rocks Kiama on the NSW South Coast

    Cathedral Rocks Kiama on the NSW South Coast

    How to Get There

    Located three kilometers, north of Kiama, Cathedral Rocks are an unusual volcanic rock formation, famous for their distinctive shape. We viewed them from two locations, up close from Jones Beach and further away from Cliff Drive.

    Jones Beach has an excellent car park, with easy beach access, making it an ideal place to start your walk to the rocks. From the car park, walk to the beach and head south (or right as you face the ocean). This will take you to a small rocky headland, where you climb over rocks, until the Cathedral Rocks come into view.

    Jones Drive provides a view of the Rocks from the opposite side, which is a great way to take some different photos. Parking is on-street, but there is plenty of room to leave your car. followed by a track down to the shore. We found that at high tide, the view was restricted, because it was not possible to walk out onto the rock platform. However at low tide, the view was great, just be careful of slippery rocks.

    Jones Beach

    A great place to visit in its own right, Jones Beach is wide and sandy, making a relaxing place to soak up the sun. Cathedral Rocks are to the south on the rocky headland and rock platform. Take footwear, as the rocks are sharp and slippery. We took Crocs, because they can be worn in water and protect feet from sharp rocks.

    Jones Beach
    Jones Beach

    Cathedral Rocks

    Standing above and surrounded by water, the rock formations look amazing, providing a great opportunity for photos. The rock platform gives many different vantage points to see the rocks as well as vantage points to see the rest of the coastline.

    Cathedral Rocks
    Cathedral Rocks

    Cathedral Rocks Cave

    While walking along the rock platform, keep an eye out for a small cave. You can see the Cathedral Rocks from here, while the cave entrance frames them. This gives another and different view.

    Cathedral Rocks
    View From the Cave

    Cliff Drive

    With views from above Cathedral Rocks, as well as a path down to sea level, Cliff Drive offers alternate views to Jones Beach. If you choose to use the path and walk down to the rock platform, low tide is the best time to visit. This will allow you to walk further onto rocks to get a good view.

    Cliff Drive Cathedral Rocks
    Cliff Drive Cathedral Rocks

    What Did We Think?

    A great place to visit and enjoy the beach as well as climbing over rocks. Visiting at low tide will give a you a better view.

    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.