NORAH HEAD HIKE - 30 MAY 2017

28 may

A great sunrise through a thin, wispy cloud bank at Terrigal Beach.

29 May

A flat ocean on this morning but sunny with a light but cool wind.

Today's adventure ... Norah Head.

I parked near the lighthouse and wandered down the path to the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is very imposing and pretty. I wandered around the base and periodically looked back upon it as I walked. The beacon was rotating and sparkling as it reflected the morning sunlight.

At the end of the path, I descended the stairs to the beach and rocky shore platform.



There were a number of people fishing in such a pretty setting. I wandered around the rocks enjoying the brisk breeze and exploring the small rocky crevasses. The water in the crevasses looked nice, especially, with small waves running along them in the narrow space.

On the far promontory, I watched the waves push in over the rocks filling in the hollow then drawing back making a wild cascade of seawater. Not a good place for a swim though.

I continued walking along the rocks and beaches. There were one or two birds foraging and the sunlight was twinkling across the ocean surface.

Near the rockpool, I spoke with a group of landcare people who were removing bitou bush from the cliff edge. They cut the bush near the base then coat the stem in round-up ( a nonresidue poison) to kill it permanently. the bitou dominates the landscape where it becomes established killing native plant species.

At the top of the cliff, I followed the Norah Head Nature trail back to the carpark.

The trail was well looked after and there were a number of plant species along the route. Small signposts indicated what some species were and their human and animal usage. Very interesting.

I drove to Soldier's Beach for a coffee and to watch some very small waves breaking and a few guys surfing. I met a guy Grant who had a very unusual canoe made of light timber and fiberglass.

PEBBLEY BEACH HIKE - 6 APRIL 2016

I drove back to the Norah head area to check the waves but the tide was very high on a low swell so no waves.


I looked over Soldiers beach for a short while then decided to walk along the rocks towards Pebbley Beach which was to the north of Soldiers Beach.

It was a pleasant short walk along a quiet white sand beach. The seas were rough being exposed to the northerly wind. The back drop of the beach was very tall sand dunes interspersed with vegetation on the slopes but thicker on the crest.

I wandered along the beach and  threw a stick for a dog to chase, walked along the edge of the waves and walked mainly on the soft sand to the rocks at the far northern end which was Norah head.

I climbed the sand dunes on leaving and followed a short path to the Soldiers Beach carpark.

I went back to sitting on the cliff overlooking Soldiers Beach. Still no waves yet.

CENTRAL COAST - Birdie Beach, Jenny Dixon Beach, Norah Head and Soldier’s Point - HIKE - 24 August 2009

This walk can be done following the coast along Birdie to Soldier’s Beach or short walks after driving to each location.

The weather looked good to start off but distant clouds that were fast approaching lead me to choose the latter method of getting around.

The sun was shining strong on this winter day. I ventured into the water while photographing to cool off. The water was a little brisk. Birdie Beach is a very long crescent shaped beach. It would take a good few hours to reach the northern end. It is backed by small sand dunes. There a number of places to park along the beach.

Jenny Dixon Beach is a very pretty sandy beach with a backdrop of steep sandstone cliffs.

Norah Head has a car park near the lighthouse. The lighthouse has tours on public holidays and weekends. The lighthouse is an excellent backdrop over the headland. In front of the headland is a tessellated sandstone shore platform, perfect for easy walking. To the south and north are small coves and beaches.

Soldiers Point has a large carpark. The point is connected by a sand spit. To the south is Soldiers Beach.