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7 January 20217 January 2021

Moonee Beach and the Pink Cave

Getting There and Parking

Located in Catherine Hill Bay South of Newcastle, Moonee Beach and the Pink Cave (also called Deep Cave Bay) are an amazing place to visit, because of their beautiful colours and setting. Parking is limited near the beach access trail, as the road is narrow. However, a small area of the one-way road is wider to allow cars to park. A sign indicates the way to the beach.

The Track Down to the Beach

A sandy trail leads down to the beach, winding through bush until it reaches the beach. The beach is beautiful and quiet, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the sand and waves.

Moonee Beach

At the end of the track, you come out at Moonee Beach, an 800m long sandy beach with rock platforms at each end. At 800m long, there is plenty of room for everyone, so it’s unlikely to get crowded. Swimming is not advised, because the beach is not patrolled. While there we saw a lot of marine stingers washed up on the sand, which we were careful not to step on. Be careful, as the sting can still work even if they are dead. This is another reason to be careful swimming here.

Portuguese Man o' War or Marine Stinger — Moonee Beach

Rock Platform

The rock platform on the north end of the beach is where you will find the pink cave. Access to the cave is only safe at low tide, so make sure you check tide times before you go. Walking across the rock platform can be slippery, so have good footwear and take care.

On your 700m walk to the cave, take time to look at some of the wonderful rock pools, as some are very colourful. Also look at the algae and seaweed growing on the exposed rocks, many of them are also brightly coloured.

The Rock Platform Looking Towards Moonee Beach — Rock Platform Looking at Moonee Beach

A Rock Pool on the Rock Platform — Rock Platform Looking at Moonee Beach

The Pink Cave

Remember to only go here at low tide, because this is the safest period, as well as ensuring you see the pink rocks. The rocks are wet and slippery, because the cave is tidal, so take care.

Inside the cave, where the waves wash in, you will see the amazing pink rocks. Fully exposed at low tide, they make a great sight.

What Did We Think?

This was a great place to visit, because of the amazing colours of the cave. The beach is a great place to relax and enjoy you surrounding, either before or after the walk along the rock platform.

A great addition to this visit is the Ghosties Beach Cave, which is only 1600m away along 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

24 September 20202 October 2020

Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail Bushwalking

View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout

How to Get There

The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail can be started at either end, but we chose Pearl Beach, which has a carpark at the Crommelin Arboretum. Driving through Pearl Beach is interesting, because all of the streets are named after gemstones. A short walk back down the road from the carpark takes you to the start of the track.

The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail

The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail is a 4.4km well defined track taking around one hour to complete, one-way. It is well maintained and sign posted, because it it a fire trail. Bike riders also use the trail, so be careful to keep out of their way. The track passes through red gum forest, which provides a great backdrop to the walk.

Pearl Caves

About 300m into the walk, the hillside on the left becomes steeper and you will notice rock overhangs at the base. These become quite large and form sandstone caves under the cliff. We decided not to walk though the bush to go inside as the undergrowth was very dense. Instead, we looked at them from the track.

Warrah Lookout

Located a further 1.4km past Pearl Caves is Warrah Lookout, with spectacular views over the Hawkesbury River. If you look carefully, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is visible on the far side.

What Did We Think?

This was a great walk, with wonderful views from the lookout surrounded by eucalypt forest. We thought it was a good walk because of the scenery and amazing coastal views.

23 September 20209 October 2020

Caves Beach Amazing Beautiful Views

Caves Beach

Located only 40 minutes south of Newcastle, Caves Beach is a relaxed southern suburb of Lake Macquarie. Named after the network of sea caves to the south of the beach, it is a great place to relax and explore the coast. If you want to explore the cave, make sure you go at low tide because at high tide, the cave is flooded, and access is cut off. You can check this on the internet. During the week we have found it to be quiet, but on a sunny weekend, it will be crowded, with people swimming and exploring the cave.

If you want to swim in the ocean, check that a lifeguard is on duty in the tower and swim between the flags to be safe.

Near the lifeguard tower is a steel sculpture, Norfolk 2019 by Kelly-Ann Lees, which reflects the seed cones dropped by the Norfolk Pines which are found in the area.

The Caves

Entering the cave is not dangerous. There are no warning signs and access is free. You can walk through the cave and out the other side to a rock platform. The cliff here also has some smaller caves to look at. The platform itself is quite interesting, with rock pools with algae growing in them. Be careful of your footing because the rocks can be slippery. Remember to check the tides, because the cave and rock platform are flooded at high tide.

Cave's Beach Sea Cave at High Tide — Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide

The Large Sea Cave at Caves Beach — Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide

Food and Refreshments

There is a kiosk next to the beach selling snacks and cold drinks during the week. Not far before the entrance to the carpark, you will find cafes and restaurants, if you want something more substantial. The beach area near the surf house also has barbecues and picnic area, along with a change house and toilets.

Caves Beach to Pinny Beach The Wallarah Coastal Walk

For some excellent views of the coast and to see some nice beaches, there is a walking trail from Caves Beach to Pinny Beach. The trails are rough in places and there are steps to climb, but it is generally an easy three kilometer one way walk. Along the way, lookouts let you look over beaches and rock platforms. Small trails also allow access to the beaches, which is a great way to extend your exploring of the area.

Sea Caves, Rock Platform and Beach — Caves Beach Viewed From the Cliff Top

Spoon Rocks

Originally built by a mining company for coal transportation, the breakwater’s shape is how this Spoon Rocks received its name. The spoon shape is visible on your way down the track to the beach.

The mining venture, with Silver Valley Minerals, didn’t proceed after it’s construction. However, the breakwater remains and provides protection from the swell at the beach. Although the water looks inviting, Spoon Rocks Beach is not patrolled, so swimming is not advised.

Pinny Beach

Located in Wallarah National Park, the Coastal Walk passes through locked vehicle gates. Designed to stop cars accessing the National Park, not people on foot, it’s safe to go past them. The views over the beach are amazing, but this was the end of our walk, so after a break for a snack, we returned to Caves 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

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Tag: Cave

Moonee Beach and the Pink Cave

Moonee Beach and the Pink Cave

Getting There and Parking

The Track Down to the Beach

Moonee Beach

Rock Platform

The Pink Cave

What Did We Think?

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