Offering remarkable coastal views of Freycinet National Park and a well-constructed walkway, Cape Tourville is a great way for everyone to experience Freycinet. The well made track loops around the automated lighthouse, providing fantastic panoramic views.
The track is wide, with even surfaces and gently graded slopes. Much of the walk is on a raised boardwalk which, at times, takes you right to the cliff edge. Not only can you see the coastal cliffs, but also nearby offshore rocks known as The Nuggets.
Information boards along the track provide details of wildlife often seen here. This includes sea birds, sea-eagles, whales, seals, and dolphins, but will vary due to the time of year. During our visit, there was low cloud and scattered showers, so we were not able to see any. Instead, we took in the views which were stunning and looked great because the low clouds added amazing character to the scenes.
Markings on the board walk measure out the length of whales and dolphins, which really puts their huge size into perspective.
Looking Over Carp Bay
The Nuggets
Cape Tourville Lighthouse
The climb up to the lighthouse is over gravel, or you can take some steps half way along the walk. The lighthouse is automatic , so you are unable to enter. From this height you get slightly different views than from the track.
Cape Tourville Lighthouse
What Did We Think?
This was a very easy 600m loop, which we loved because of the amazing views, but would be very exposed on a wet and windy day.
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.
Merchant Mariners’ Memorial
The Nimbin Memorial Plaque
The Age Memorial Plaque
Iron Chieftain Memorial Plaque
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 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.
Wooden Steps Down to Norah Head Rock Platform
Caves on the Beach
Looking Towards Soldiers Point and Pebbly Beach
Fallen Boulders Below the Lighthouse
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.
Soldiers Point Norah Head
Soldiers Beach Norah Head
Whale Artwork at Soldiers Beach
Norah Head Lighthouse
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.
The five-kilometer Federation Cliffs Walk offers spectacular coastal views, with sandstone cliffs, a lighthouse and a shipwreck memorial.
Getting There
We chose to use public transport to the Federation Cliffs Walk, as this meant we could start at one end of the Walk and finish at the other, without having to return to the starting point. A ferry from Circular Quay took us to Watson’s Bay Wharf, where we started the walk, while the return trip was by bus to Central Station, from Diamond Bay Reserve.
The Gap Lookout and Walking Track
From Watsons Bay Wharf, we made the short walk to the Gap Lookout, where we started our walk. From the lookout, views of the cliffs and out to sea are amazing. Well-made and maintained walkways make the track easy to walk and from here heads south to Bondi and beyond.
Wreck of the Dunbar
Launched on 30 November 1854, the Dunbar was a first-class passenger and cargo carrier. On the night of 20 August 1857, the ship approached the entrance to Port Jackson from the south, but heavy rain and a strong gale winds made navigating difficult. Possibly mistaking The Gap as the port’s entrance, the captain ran the ship onto the rocks. Of the 122 people on board, only one survived.
As a result of this tragedy and the loss of the Catherine Adamson at North Head nine weeks later, the Government built Hornby Lighthouse.
Containing one of Dunbar’s anchors, a memorial stands on the cliffs above the wreck site.
Dunbar MemorialSea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk
Signal Hill
Constructed in 1892-1893, Signal Hill Battery was one of many defensive forts built around Sydney. Originally armed with a BL 9.2-inch (234 mm) Mk VI breech-loading counter bombardment British Armstrong disappearing gun, the fort operated until just after World War Two. By this stage the original gun had been replace by two six-inch guns. Fortunately, the 9.2-inch is on display at North Head, near the Memorial Walk.
Memorial plaques give tribute to those who served here as well as providing historical context for the structures.
This is a great place to stop on your walk to understand some of Sydney’s history and admire the fantastic views.
Cliff Top Fortifications
Memorials
Walking along the Federation Cliffs Walk, you will come across many memorials, it is worth stopping to view them. Some are for loved ones lost overseas, while others commemorate the locations of fortifications or the service of military regiments.
Lieutenant Grieve’s Memorial
Macquarie Lighthouse
Designed by James Barnet and built from 1881 to 1883, Macquarie Lighthouse is 26m tall. Heritage listed, it is still fully operational and under the control of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The white tower makes an outstanding photo when set against a deep blue summer sky.
Macquarie Lighthouse
The Grave Of Edmund Barton
Sir Edmund Barton, GCMG, PC, KC (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920) was an Australian politician and judge who served as the first Prime Minister of Australia, in office from 1901 to 1903. Located in South Head General Cemetery and marked by a cross headstone, Barton’s grave is difficult to find amongst all of the others found there.
An interesting place to visit because of the historical importance of Barton.
Edmund Barton’s Grave
Diamond Bay Reserve
Federation Cliffs Walk offers many superb views of the ocean and cliffs. One of the best is at Diamond Bay, where walkways and a viewing platform provide excellent views. Fishermen have constructed stairs and a gateway on the cliff face. The walkway provides a safe place for photographers
Waverley Council encourages visitors to Diamond Bay Reserve to stay away from the cliff’s edge. A 27 year-old woman past away recently after slipping when taking a photo on the cliff’s edge. Fencing and signs are there for your safety.
Sea Cliffs at Diamond BayStairs on the Diamond Bay CliffsSea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs WalkSea Cliffs on the Federation Cliffs Walk
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
