Named in memory of Allen Strom who dedicated much of his life to the establishment of many national parks and nature reserves in the state, this lookout is a tribute to him. A plaque in his memory is located here, overlooking the forests and water below.
How to Get There
The Wards Hill Carpark is a convenient place to park, because it is located near the beginning of the walking trail to the lookout. There are two trails that start at the car park. To go to the lookout, you need to follow Rocky Point Trail. This easy, 900m walk passes through eucalypt forest along a well formed and easy to follow path. A sign on the track points to a small side track, where the lookout is located.
The lookout provides views over Hardys Bay and extend across to Wagstaffe and Ettalong. The views are great making the short 900m walk very worthwhile. The lookout area is fenced, ensuring that visitors do not get too close to the side of the hill.
The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail can be started at either end, but we chose Pearl Beach, which has a carpark at the Crommelin Arboretum. Driving through Pearl Beach is interesting, because all of the streets are named after gemstones. A short walk back down the road from the carpark takes you to the start of the track.
The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail
The Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail is a 4.4km well defined track taking around one hour to complete, one-way. It is well maintained and sign posted, because it it a fire trail. Bike riders also use the trail, so be careful to keep out of their way. The track passes through red gum forest, which provides a great backdrop to the walk.
Signpost at the Start of the Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
The Pearl Beach Patonga Fire Trail
Pearl Caves
About 300m into the walk, the hillside on the left becomes steeper and you will notice rock overhangs at the base. These become quite large and form sandstone caves under the cliff. We decided not to walk though the bush to go inside as the undergrowth was very dense. Instead, we looked at them from the track.
Pearl Caves
Warrah Lookout
Located a further 1.4km past Pearl Caves is Warrah Lookout, with spectacular views over the Hawkesbury River. If you look carefully, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is visible on the far side.
Warrah Lookout Sign
View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
View over the Hawkesbury River From Warrah Lookout
Hawkesbury River Through Trees at Warrah Lookout
What Did We Think?
This was a great walk, with wonderful views from the lookout surrounded by eucalypt forest. We thought it was a good walk because of the scenery and amazing coastal views.
Located only 40 minutes south of Newcastle, Caves Beach is a relaxed southern suburb of Lake Macquarie. Named after the network of sea caves to the south of the beach, it is a great place to relax and explore the coast. If you want to explore the cave, make sure you go at low tide because at high tide, the cave is flooded, and access is cut off. You can check this on the internet. During the week we have found it to be quiet, but on a sunny weekend, it will be crowded, with people swimming and exploring the cave.
If you want to swim in the ocean, check that a lifeguard is on duty in the tower and swim between the flags to be safe.
Near the lifeguard tower is a steel sculpture, Norfolk 2019 by Kelly-Ann Lees, which reflects the seed cones dropped by the Norfolk Pines which are found in the area.
Lifeguard Tower
Norfolk 2019 by Kelly-Ann Lees
The Caves
Entering the cave is not dangerous. There are no warning signs and access is free. You can walk through the cave and out the other side to a rock platform. The cliff here also has some smaller caves to look at. The platform itself is quite interesting, with rock pools with algae growing in them. Be careful of your footing because the rocks can be slippery. Remember to check the tides, because the cave and rock platform are flooded at high tide.
Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide
The Large Sea Cave at Caves Beach
The Large Sea Cave at Caves Beach
Looking Out of the Cave
the Sandy Entrance to the Large Sea Cave at Caves Beach
Looking out of the Main Cave
Rock Platform at Cave’s Beach
Looking Over The Rock Platform
Rock Pools
Food and Refreshments
There is a kiosk next to the beach selling snacks and cold drinks during the week. Not far before the entrance to the carpark, you will find cafes and restaurants, if you want something more substantial. The beach area near the surf house also has barbecues and picnic area, along with a change house and toilets.
Caves Beach to Pinny Beach The Wallarah Coastal Walk
For some excellent views of the coast and to see some nice beaches, there is a walking trail from Caves Beach to Pinny Beach. The trails are rough in places and there are steps to climb, but it is generally an easy three kilometer one way walk. Along the way, lookouts let you look over beaches and rock platforms. Small trails also allow access to the beaches, which is a great way to extend your exploring of the area.
Caves Beach Viewed From the Cliff Top
Sea Caves, Rock Platform and Beach
Coastal Cliffs
Spoon Rocks
Originally built by a mining company for coal transportation, the breakwater’s shape is how this Spoon Rocks received its name. The spoon shape is visible on your way down the track to the beach.
The mining venture, with Silver Valley Minerals, didn’t proceed after it’s construction. However, the breakwater remains and provides protection from the swell at the beach. Although the water looks inviting, Spoon Rocks Beach is not patrolled, so swimming is not advised.
Walking Trail Above Spoon Rocks
Spoon Rock
Walking Trail to Spoon Rocks Lookout
Pinny Beach
Located in Wallarah National Park, the Coastal Walk passes through locked vehicle gates. Designed to stop cars accessing the National Park, not people on foot, it’s safe to go past them. The views over the beach are amazing, but this was the end of our walk, so after a break for a snack, we returned to Caves Beach.
Pinny Beach
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.