Barrenjoey Lighthouse Palm Beach

Barrenjoey Lighthouse

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse is located near Palm Beach near Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park. Access and parking on busy weekends can be an issue as we found that the car park was almost full on the Sunday we visited. Parking is not free and you must pay at the meter and display the ticket in your car or face a fine.

One of Australia’s longest running TV shows, Home and Away uses this area as a setting. The Barrenjoey Lighthouse often features in the background scenery of the show and Palm Beach is where a lot of the action takes place. Many of the visitors are there to see where the show is produced.

To get to the lighthouse, leave the car park and walk down the beach. Not too far down, you will see a sign to the track. There are two options, a short but steep track, or a longer but not so steep track. We took the second option, which is a constant uphill grade, but well paved all the way. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views on the way up, so don’t rush.

Track to Barrenjoey Lighthouse Palm Beach NSW Australia www.destinationsjourney.com — Track to Barrenjoey Lighthouse

As well as the lighthouse and its buildings, you will find some fantastic views of Palm Beach and Broken Bay. Enjoy your time at the top before making your way back to the beach via either the steep steps of the flatter path.

8 October 2024

Wasp Head Walking Track

Looking over Wasp Head and out to Wasp Island

Wasp Head Walking Track

The Wasp Head walking track is a short, scenic walk in Murramarang National Park, south of Durras Lake on the New South Wales south coast. Rated at grade 3, it is unpaved but was very well maintained during our visit. NSW National Parks and Wildlife are responsible for the area and there is an entrance fee. As a National Park, no dogs are allowed.

Getting There

We drove from Batemans Bay, only 20 minutes away. Although the last section of the drive on Wasp Head Road is gravel it was in good condition when we went. A warning sign at the start of the trail warns of unstable sea cliffs and to only stay on the designated tracks.

The Track

Sloping gently uphill on the outward walk, we found it very easy and at only 1km very short. Most of the track is through casuarina forest, although there is a cleared area towards the end. The views over the ocean and out towards Wasp Island are beautiful and even more so as we arrived just after sunrise.

This was a nice, easy walk to start the day with great ocean views.

Coastal casuarina forest — Wasp Head Walking Track

3 October 20245 October 2024

Durras Lake Discovery Trail

Spotted gum forest on the Duras Lake Discovery Trail

Durras Lake Discovery Trail

Although the Durras Lake Discovery trail is only 1.5 km long, it’s a fun walk, taking around 45 minutes, depending on your pace. Located in the Murramarang National Park it’s only a 30 minute drive from Batemans Bay. It is a good idea to check the weather before going, as the road can become very boggy in wet weather.

The Walk

Although graded at level 3 by NSW National Parks and Wildlife, it is steep in places and rough in others. We hiked here after a storm. A large gum tree had fallen over the track and shattered, completely burying the trail. This added some fun to the walk as we picked our way over the smashed timber. Another tree that must have fallen years ago also crosses the trail, but has a gap under it, or a path around.

The vegetation was very dense because rainfall had been heavy in the previous months. Everything was nice and green.

Not long after starting the walk, there is a bridge over a creek, followed by a sign post. This is the point you would take to the Durras Lake Walking Track (8km and 2-4 hours) or stay on the loop track. You will also found a rough wooden gate near the start of the track and another near the end.

Information boards are placed along the trail, describing the plant and animal life.

At the high point of the climb is a bench seat where we stopped and had a snack before descending from there down into the valley and back to the carpark.

This was a great walk and one of our favorites in the Murramarang National Park. Remember that there are park entry fees (we bought the year long pass which works out cheaper if you visit a lot of parks). As it’s a national park, dogs are not allowed.