Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

2.6 km Return

60 m

Hard track

A great, scenic walk along the shoreline at Norah Head, to the lighthouse with it's picturesque location and beautiful views. The walk along the beach and rockshelf is interesting, with lots of shapes and textures making the rockshelf interesting to explore. The Norah Head lighthouse is very picturesque and the views of the surrounding area from the lighthouse and lookout are fantastic. The very short sidetrip to the merchant mariners memorial adds some more interest.

(0km) Boat ramp → Rock Pool

80 m

2 mins

-2m Easy track

From the boat ramp at the bottom of Bald St, Norah Head, this walk follows the concrete footpath towards the rock pool, keeping the ocean to the left. After a short distance, the walk goes down the concrete ramp and continues along the beach a little to the steps at the bottom of the Bush St Rock Pool Path, just below the toilet block.

Norah Head Rock Pool

This tidal ocean pool is in Cabbage Tree Harbour at Norah Head. It is a beautiful, sheltered place to swim or to relax on the sand. There are public toilets nearby. More info.

(0km) Rock Pool → Southern end of Lighthouse Beach

750 m

14 mins

15m

-16m Hard track

Continue straight: From the bottom of the steps, just below the toilet block, this walk goes along the water's edge, keeping the ocean pool to the left. The walk crosses the rock shelf using some steps and metal handrails before going around the headland on a concrete footpath with metal handrail. The walk then drops down a few steps and crosses the next section of rock shelf, keeping the ocean to the left, before arriving at the northern end of Lighthouse Beach[1].
Continue straight: From the northern end of Lighthouse Beach[2], this walk follows the beach south, keeping the ocean to the left, until reaching the southern end of the beach.

Norah Head rockshelf

This rockshelf is at the tip of Norah Head, below the lighthouse. The general scenery in the area is beautiful and the rockshelves have a lot of interesting shapes and textures, making the area interesting to explore. The rockshelf can be reached from the nearby beaches or via steps from the lighthouse.

(1km) Southern end of Lighthouse Beach → Bottom of Norah Head steps

360 m

6 mins

-7m Hard track

Continue straight: From the southern end of Lighthouse Beach[3], this walk goes south, onto the extensive rock platform beneath the lighthouse. After exploring the rock platform, the walk continues south, around the headland, keeping the ocean to the left, and arriving at the bottom of the wooden staircase leading up to the lighthouse.

(1km) Bottom of Norah Head steps → Lighthouse Point lookout

40 m

1 mins

-1m Moderate track

Veer right: From the bottom of the steps, this walk goes up the steps to the viewpoint at the top, near the lighthouse.

Norah Head Lighthouse Point lookout

This lookout, on the point of Norah Head, near the lighthouse, has amazing views in all directions, up and down the coastline, across the rockshelves and beaches below, and of the lighthouse itself.

(1km) Lighthouse Point lookout → Lighthouse

80 m

1 mins

-1m Very easy

Turn left : From the lookout point, this walk follows the footpath gently up the hill, to the gate beside the lookout.

Norah Head Lighthouse

The lighthouse was established in 1903 and was converted from a kerosene burner to mains electricity power in 1961. Tours of the lighthouse are available on weekends [5], every half hour between 10am and 1:30pm [6]. More info.

(1km) Lighthouse → Merchant Mariners memorial lookout

220 m

5 mins

16m

-10m Very easy

Continue straight: From the gate beside the lighthouse, this walk folllows the footpath gently up the hill, leaving the lighthouse to the right. The footpath continues past the cottages, on the right, to the car park beside the cottages.
Continue straight: From the corner of the cottage yard, this walk follows the footpath away from the lighthouse, keeping the car park and driveway to the right. The walk passes an information board, to the left, then arrives at the merchant navy memorial lookout. There are numerous plaques in the footpath and set in rocks at the memorial, providing information about merchant ships and lives lost during times of war. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .

Merchant Mariners memorial and lookout

This memorial and lookout point commemorates the loss of lives in the merchant navy, during times of war, primarily WWII [7]. There are several plaques with details of the ships and number of lives lost. The stunning views from the lookout take in the nearby Norah Head lighthouse and much of the coastline to the south.

Maps for the Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Toukley	1:25 000 Map Series	92313N TOUKLEY	NSW-92313N
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse

Altitude analysis for Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	2.6 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

1.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 75m is flat with no steps. The remaining (45m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

1.1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 75m follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 75m follows a clear and well formed track or trail and the remaining 45m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

1.1km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 150m is clearly signposted. The remaining (45m) has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 1.1km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 150m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 850m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 450m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

750m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 360m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (200m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse walk.

Norah Head Rockpool

150 m Return, 15 mins

A very short walk to the Norah Head rockpool in Cabbage Tree Harbour. The rockpool is a great, sheltered spot to swim and relax on a sunny day. You could also happily spend some time exploring the nearby rockshelves. A great spot for a lazy afternoon with plenty of interesting scenery.

Total climbing: 6m

Easy track

Norah Head Lighthouse walk

762 m Return, 30 mins

A short, interesting and very scenic walk. The Norah Head lighthouse is very picturesque and the setting is beautiful, with some fantastic views along the coastline from the paths around the area. The merchant mariners memorial adds some more historic interest to the walk.

Total climbing: 38m

Very easy

Norah Head Lighthouse and Rockshelf walk

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

A very interesting and very scenic walk, taking in the merchant mariners memorial, and lookout, and the Norah Head lighthouse before exploring the rockshelf below Norah Head. The lighthouse is very picturesque and the setting is beautiful, with some fantastic views along the coastline from the paths

Total climbing: 56m

Hard track

Norah Head Nature Trail

2.2 km Return, 1 Hr

A beautiful walk with a great variety of scenery. The walk starts with some beautiful forest scenery, visits an interesting memorial to the merchant navy, wanders past the scenic Norah Head lighthouse with its stunning coastline views, and finishes with some exploration of the rockshelf below the li

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

Norah Head Lighthouse Loop

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

A fantastic loop walk with a great variety of excellent scenery. The walk covers the Norah Head Nature Trail with it's beautiful forest scenery, the merchant navy memorial and Norah Head lighthouse before returning via the shoreline. There are plenty of stunning coastline views and some exploration

Total climbing: 66m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse walk.

Wetland trail to Rainforest

4.8 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

A great one-way walk covering some of the highlights of this part of Wyrrabalong National Park. The walk starts off through some beautiful wetland forest, before passing through areas of fantastic, twisted Sydney Redgums and Burrawang cycads. A couple a lookouts provide great views and spots to rela

Total climbing: 79m

Moderate track

Wetland Trail to Redgum Lookout

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

A very nice walk through some wetland forest and some of the beautiful Sydney Redgum forest, a feature of the area. The unnamed Redgum Lookout, at the return point of the walk, has some great views and is an atmospheric spot to spend some time before returning. Much of the walk is on sandy tracks. T

Total climbing: 54m

Moderate track

Redgum trail

3.4 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

An excellent loop walk through areas of beautiful Sydney Redgums. In several places these twisted trees lean over the track, creating great scenery and atmosphere. Two lookout platforms along the way provide some fantastic views over the surrounding areas and Tuggerah Lake. Much of the walk is on sa

Total climbing: 48m

Moderate track

Wyrrabalong Figure 8

6.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

A great walk covering much of the excellent scenery in this area. This walk includes great views over Tuggerah lake, some beautiful areas of littoral rainforest, very picturesque, twisted Sydney Redgums leaning over the track and plenty of Burrawangs (a cycad). The lookouts along the way provide goo

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Lillypilly Loop Trail

3.6 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This beautiful loop walk passes through a great variety of forest scenery, including some lovely rainforest, dominated by cabbage palms and other trees. There are some beautiful views across Tuggerah Lake, and parts of the track feature twisted Sydney Redgums leaning over the track, and the shorter

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Tuggerah Lake vista and Rainforest

1.8 km Return, 45 mins

A beautiful, short walk passing through a variety of scenery, featuring an area of littoral rainforest, dominated by big cabbage palms. There are beautiful views across Tuggerah lake at the return point. Much of the walk is on sandy tracks and several sections of wooden boards keep the track in good

Total climbing: 28m

Moderate track

Tea Tree Picnic Area to Birdie Beach

444 m Return, 10 mins

Starting at Tea Tree Picnic Area, this short walk follows a beach access track to Birdie Beach. Along the way, the walk visits Bird Island Lookout, providing a great view of Bird Island, and up and down Birdie Beach. The walk continues down the timber path and steps, across the sand to the edge of

Total climbing: 18m

Easy track

Tea Tree Picnic Area to Bird Island Lookout

136 m Return, 3 mins

This short walk leads from the Tea Tree car park and Picnic Area to the Bird Island Lookout. The view from the fenced platform looks up and down Birdie Beach, and out to sea to Bird Island. The walk starts from the car park and heads across the compacted dirt and gravel track, before leading up a t

Total climbing: 3m

Very easy

Freemans camping area to Birdie Beach

1.2 km Return, 25 mins

A short walk to access the beach from Freemans camping area. This easy walk takes campers along a wide path to Birdie Beach car park, then to Birdie Beach. The campsite is far enough back from the beach to be protected from the sea breeze, so this walk saves the longer trip via the road. Further n

Total climbing: 12m

Easy track

Campbell Dr to Birdie Beach View (Geebung Track)

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk follows the Geebung Track to the sweeping views of Birdie Beach. From Campbell Dr, you will follow a management trail down to a creek where the Geebung Track narrows and winds through the heath to the top of the hill, where there is a view to Birdie Beach. The views south along Birdie Bea

Total climbing: 65m

Moderate track

Campbell Drive to Snapper Point

4.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk follows the Coast Track to Frazer Beach, along the Geebung and (overgrown) Grass Tree Tracks. From the northern end of Frazer Beach, the walk heads across the exposed rockshelf to Snapper Point Beach, then on to Snapper Point (consider tide and sea conditions before setting out). From Sna

Total climbing: 135m

Experienced only

Geebung Track

2.4 km One way, 1 Hr

The Geebung Track links Campbell Dr and Wybung Head Rd via a track through the heath. Forming part of a coastal walk, you will find occasional ocean views in addition to a great view of Birdie Beach about halfway. The Geebung Track is a great place to enjoy the wildflower display in spring and ear

Total climbing: 92m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Rockpool to Norah Head Lighthouse walk starts and ends at the Boat ramp (gps: -33.279197, 151.56865)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve

Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve is home to a small parcel of bushland and a lighthouse, north of The Entrance on the NSW Central Coast. The land and lighthouse is managed by the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Trust who was appointed by the NSW Minister for Lands in 2007. The trust maintains some walking track and the lighthouse. The lighthouse can be booked for overnight accommodation. The Lighthouse was opened on 15th November 1903 and is still in active use today.

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