Burwood Beach Mining Heritage
Located south of Merewether Ocean Baths, Burwood Beach is not only a great surfing beach, but has relics from the areas mining heritage.
There are several ways to get to the beach, each with its own benefits.
- The Yuelarbah Track, which winds down a Flaggy Creek, is a great hike in coastal eucalyptus forest.
- Hickson Street Lookout, which provides excellent views as you walk down to the beach
- From Merewether Baths for a walk along the beach without much up and down hill hiking.
We have walked all three and the Yuelarbah Track is the more interesting, because it winds through some beautiful bushland. However, it is also the most difficult, due to the track and need to walk back uphill when returning.
On our most recent trip we walked in from Merewether Baths, mainly because we hadn’t gone this way before. We found it to be a straightforward walk along the beach.
Several of the relics are located on the rock platforms, so the best time to visit is low tide. This ensures that you can see everything while remaining safe.
Railway Wheel on the Rock Platform
When walking from Merewether Baths at low tide, a railway wheel is visible on the rock platform. This relic is now covered in seaweed and shellfish, which have made it their home on.
Rusty Rail Wheel on the Rock Platform at Burwood Beach 
Marine Growth on a Railway Wheel Railway Wheel Covered in Marine Growth Marine Growth Covered Railway Wheel at Low Tide
Railway Wheels in the Sand
Further along the beach are three rusty wheels buried in the sand, but partially exposed.
Rusting Rail Wheels Buried in the Sand at Burwood Beach
Remains of the Burwood Beach Mining Heritage Rail Line
A rail line once ran along the dunes hauling coal to the copper smelter but is now decaying as nature reclaims it. Rusting rail lines and sleepers, now exposed in places where wind and rain have revealed them poke through the sand.
Rusted Railway Tracks Old Rusting Railway Tracks
Rail Wheels in the Sand Dunes
Near the exposed rail lines are several railway wheels, which are abandoned and rusting in the dunes.
Rusty Rail Wheel in the Sand Dunes at Burwood Beach 
Rusty Rail Wheel at Burwood Beach
The Coal Seam
A reminder of the coal mined here exists in the cliff face, where the exposed coal seam contrasts with the lighter coloured rocks around it.
Exposed Coal Seam at Burwood Beach
What Did We Think?
We thought Burwood Beach was a relaxed place to visit, because of the few people there. The relics from the mining past were a great addition to the day, as they lie exposed and readily visible.
