Located next to The Entrance on the Central Coast, Long Jetty is a quiet coastal spot with some great scenery to enjoy. We found parking easy all along the foreshore but, imagine it would be busy during holiday periods.
Our first stop was Toowoon Beach for a coffee overlooking the beach while we relaxed after our drive. Sitting and looking over the water while drinking the coffee was very relaxing after the drive.
After this we drove to Long Beach where we parked the car and walked along the foreshore. There are thee jetties of varying lengths going into the lake. We walked out on the two largest ones for some great views and photos. The length of the jetties is deceptive and you don’t realize how long they are until you reach the end and look back.
Long JettyOld Boat Shed on Lake Macquarie
There are several grassed areas with picnic facilities and families were using them. Along with the play equipment here it looked like a great place for kids.
Old Park BenchSeat With View over the Jetty
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The Glenrock State Conservation Area contains several great walking tracks. The Yuelarbah Track is a nice walking track which follows Flaggy Creek down to Glenrock Lagoon through the coastal forest. The track is downhill most of the way to the lagoon and Burwood Beach, making is a fairly easy walk. It much harder on the return walk as it is uphill. Parts of the track are rough rocks so it is necessary to be careful with your footing. Part way along the track, the pathway splits enabling you to walk on either side of the creek. Both banks of the creek offer interesting spots, so walk down one side and back the other.
Walking along, you will find some great places to look at the creek and enjoy the scenery. Even the stairs and walkways are great to look at.
Start of Yuelarbah Track
Yuelarbah Track
Flaggy Creek Yuelarbah Track
Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
Rock Cutting
Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Up
Yuelarbah Track Steps Going Down
Glenrock State Conservation AreaGlenrock Lagoon
Halfway to the beach, on the left hand bank of Flaggy Creek, is a lookout which provides great views over the Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Glenrock Lagoon From Lookout
As you near the beach you will pass Glenrock Lagoon which looks tranquil compared to the ocean nearby. There is also a bench seat where you can sit and admire the views before walking down to the beach.
Glenrock Lagoon and Burwood Beach
Burwood Beach
Burwood Beach has been quiet both times we were there making it very peaceful and relaxing. As this is not a patrolled beach, so swimming is not recommended.
Burwood Beach
Burwood Beach
Returning to the carpark is either back the way you came or on the opposite bank of Flaggy Creek. We chose the second option for some variety as the scenery is slightly different.
This is a pleasant walk with a nice little beach at the end to relax on.
Hickson Street Lookout to Burwood Beach Trail
This trail descends from Hickson Street down a hill side to Burwood Beach. The majority of the track is made of mesh metal walkways and with formed steps. However there are small areas where the path is unformed and goes over rocks. These areas are small and easily negotiable but the track is steep, so take care.
Parking is available on Hickson Street, but is limited and may become crowded at peak times. A launch platform for hang gliders is located at the top of the hill, where you will find view over the coastline.
Walking Trail Hickson Street Lookout
Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
The Trail Down to Burwood Beach
Walking Trail Down to Burwood Beach
Walking Trail Winding Down to the Beach
Burwood Beach
The track finishes at Burwood Beach, where you will find an information board detailing the area. The northern part of the beach is a rock platform, which has rock pools and some interesting weathering features in the rocks.
Burwood Beach
Rock Platform at Burwood Beach
Burwood Beach
Burwood Beach
Rock Platform
Walking south from the beach, you will find Glenrock Lagoon, where you can walk up Flaggy Creek on the Yuelarbah Track. If you walk north you will get to the Merewether Baths and beach.
We chose to sit on the beach for a while watching the surfers, before taking the track back up the hill.
Rock Platform
Eroded Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
Rock Formation Burwood Rock Platform
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Located in Port Stephens near Newcastle Fingal Bay is a quiet town catering to the tourists interested in the beach and surroundings. Our reason for visiting was to walk across the sand spit from the mainland to Shark Island. This spit is submerged at high tide, so we chose two hours before low tide for the walk. There are warning signs stating the dangers of crossing if the spit is submerged. We started the morning with a snack at the Longboat Cafe before walking down the beach and across to the island. This was a very relaxing walk, with great scenery.
Sand Spit
Rock Formations on Shark IslandMount Tamaree From Shark Island
Port Stephens Lighthouse and Shark Island
Once on the island, we followed the marked trail to the Port Stephens Lighthouse, which was an easy walk. Well maintained, the lighthouse is still operational and therefore cannot be entered. The old lighthouse keeper’s cottage is being restored by National Parks and Wildlife, but still looks nice, with its old sandstone walls. Before returning to across the spit, we explored the sand cove on the island. Here, we found some interesting rock formations as well as views out to Tomaree Headland.
Walking Track to Port Stephens LighthousePort Stephens LighthouseLight House Keeper’s Cottage
Barry Park Lookout
While in the area, we also visited Barry Park Lookout. There are beautiful views out over Fingal Bay towards Shark Island, making this a great stop while here. The gardens and short walks are well put together and maintained and the seating makes it a great place for a picnic.
Barry Point Lookout
We have previously walked to the summit of Mount Tomaree and visited Nelson Bay and these are two other great options if you are in the area.
Remember to check the tide times for Fingal Bay before you go as people have drowned in the area, while trying to cross the spit.
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