Hiking Archives - Destination's Journey

16 November 20237 November 2023

Seal Rocks New South Wales

Seal Rocks New South Wales Australia

With a population of under 100, the small village of Seal Rocks on the NSW mid-north coast is a wonderfully relaxed beach and surfing paradise. At a little under 2 hours’ drive from Newcastle, it’s a popular holiday spot and can become crowded, during summer and school holidays. Part of the charm has been the residents’ opposition to commercial development, leaving the area untouched.

Surrounded by the Myall Lakes National Park and beaches, it’s an excellent place for camping, bush walking and surfing. If you have a boat, the appropriately named Boat Beach has boat-ramps onto the sand.

Looking along Boat Beach Seal Rocks — Looking down on Boat Beach

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse stands on a headland east of Seal Rocks village. Designed by colonial architect James Barnet as his first lighthouse, it was completed in 1875. It is one of only two towers in Australia with an external stairway. Although built to guide ships along the rocky coastline, there were still 20 wrecks after its completion.

The refurbished Lighthouse Keepers’ quarters and outbuildings are available as holiday accommodation for visitors. This would be a great way to experience the area.

The Walk

Starting at the locked gate, a bitumen road leads up through the coastal forest, making it an easy walk. An information board near the gate provides details about the lighthouse and the wider Myall Lakes Area. Although the walk is easy underfoot, it can still be a bit of a challenge, because it is all uphill.

If you need a break, about halfway there is a toilet block.

Sea Cave

Not long before reaching the lighthouse a break in the trees lets you see a rocky inlet. This is great because it also has a sea cave, with the waves crashing through it.

Path to the Lighthouse

On reaching the lighthouse area, the patch becomes much steeper, but this section is also short. So, take your time and enjoy the views over the coastline. The old lighthouse keeper’s cottage is now used for guests, which would be a great way to experience the area.

The Lighthouse

Set at the top of the headland, the lighthouse overlooks some rocky cliffs and a spectacular beach to the west. With the stairs on the outside instead of inside, it looks different to others we have seen. We spent quite some time here, looking at the scenery and lighthouse, before returning to our car.

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

14 November 202331 October 2023

Bennetts Head Lookout

Bennetts Head Lookout

Located on the Bicentenial Way in Forster New South Wales, Bennetts Head Lookout is a popular place for whale watching during migration season. We were lucky and saw a few swimming south, but they were too far out to get a good look. Several tour operators provide whale watching trips locally, with one of the operators using the lookout to spot whales and direct the boats.

Getting There

Parking is available next to the main lookout on Bennetts Head Road. Alternately, the lookout would make a great rest stop if you were walking the Bicentennial Track.

The Lookout

As well as whales the lookout gives great views down the coast and over the ocean. As well as the main viewing platform near the road, several others are located a little further along the Bicentennial Track only a few minutes walk away. Some whale watchers had been there for several hours and mentioned that whales had swum in closer to the shore earlier. Unfortunately during our visit, they decided to stay out at sea.

This is a great lookout, especially during the whale migration when newly born calves swim south with the adults to the Antarctic.

View from Bennetts Head Lookout — View from the Lookout

9 November 202331 October 2023

Boolah-Dillah Track

Located near the New South Wales Mid-north coast Town of Bulahdelah, the Boolah-Dillah Track is an Aboriginal Place of cultural significance. Carved trees decorated with Aboriginal carvings can be found along the track. Historically carved trees were markers for burials, safe travelling paths, boundaries and had an important role in ceremony for the local Worimi People. Predominantly found in NSW, carved trees are rare in the rest of Australia. Scar trees however, which have had a section of bark removed for burial wraps, canoes, coolamons (a traditional carrying vessel), shelters and shields are more common and widespread. Lost due to land clearance for agriculture and forestry carved trees are now extremely rare.

The newly carved trees were created as a result of workshops held by the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council and sculptor John Van Der Kolk. Young people and elders developed the designs which tell cultural stories with young people learning skills in carving and reconnecting with traditional skills.

Getting There

Access to the track is via an overpass of the Pacific Highway. This one lane bridge leads to a small parking area on the other side.

The Track

Two carved trees mark the start of the track which leads into the forest. Although flat at first the track soon becomes steep. Despite this, the uphill sections were not too bad, as we took plenty of breaks to admire the forest around us. As well as the trees, the understory is full of ferns and some beautiful grass trees.

Flat section of the track — Start of the track with carvings on either side

After a 1.1 km walk the track ends at the Worimi Cultural Area where the surrounding trees have carvings. As this is an ongoing project, several trees have newly prepared areas while other carvings are yet to be finished.

Goanna carving Boolah-Dillah Track — Tree carving

Past the Cultural Area, the track continues as the Mountain Track, which passes through more forest to a lookout with great views over the surrounding area.

What Did We Think?

At just 2.2 km return, this was a great little walk. The steep sections might be challenging for some, but by resting and taking your time to admire the surroundings, it very enjoyable.

AdBlock Detected

It looks like you're using an ad-blocker!

Tag: Hiking

Seal Rocks New South Wales

Seal Rocks New South Wales Australia