Norah Head Lighthouse Loop
Darkinjung & Guringai Country

50 min to 1 h

2.5 km
circuit

↑ 54 m
↓ -54 m

Hard track
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 of the rockshelf below the lighthouse. On weekends, you could also join a tour of the lighthouse. Let us begin by acknowledging the Darkinjung & Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Scenes from the Bush St reserve. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bush St reserve. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Viewing platform. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Norah Head nature trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Lookout on the nature trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Walking through the coastal forest. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Winding track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Merchant Navy memorial stone. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Merchant Navy memorial lookout. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Views from the lighthouse path. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Norah Head lighthouse. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Views from the lighthouse path. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Relaxing. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Regular shapes in the rockshelf. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Rocks on the beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking along Lighthouse beach. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Norah Head rockpool. | Photo by admin, 2009.
In Bush St reserve. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.2805103,151.569274)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom Sparks Road, B70
  • Turn on to Wallarah Road, B70 then drive for 750 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Wallarah Road, B70 and drive for another 3.6 km
  • Turn right onto Tamar Avenue and drive for another 245 m
  • Turn right onto Dunleigh Street and drive for another 800 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Crossingham Street and drive for another 780 m
  • Turn right onto Evans Road and drive for another 660 m
  • Turn left onto Oleander Street and drive for another 820 m
  • Turn right onto Wilfred Barrett Drive, A49 and drive for another 140 m
  • Turn left onto Denison Street and drive for another 540 m
  • Turn right onto Bungary Road and drive for another 810 m
  • Turn left onto Maitland Street and drive for another 115 m
  • Continue onto Bush Street and drive for another 90 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park at the Bush St Reserve, Norah Head (near the intersection with Young St), this walk goes past the toilet block and across the park to the information board and trackhead at the back corner of the park.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Bush Street.
The Ark Cafe (about 50 m back from the start).
After 55 m pass the "Young Street Reserve" (7 m on your right).
Then pass the "Brush Street Reserve" (8 m on your left).
After another 30 m pass the car park (20 m on your left).
Turn left.
After another 30 m pass the toilet (30 m on your left).
After another 90 m find the "Bush St reserve" (on your right).
Bush St reserve
Bush St reserve

This picnic area is in Bush St, Norah Head, near the intersection with Young St. The reserve has parking, toilets, picnic tables and garbage bins. There are fantastic views along the coastline. The Headland Nature Trail starts here, and it also a short walk to the beach and ocean rockpool.
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This picnic area is in Bush St, Norah Head, near the intersection with Young St. The reserve has parking, toilets, picnic tables and garbage bins. There are fantastic views along the coastline. The Headland Nature Trail starts here, and it also a short walk to the beach and ocean rockpool.
Veer right, to head along Norah Head Nature Trail.
After another 155 m turn left.
After another 70 m find the "Headland lookout" (on your right).
Headland lookout
Headland lookout

This unnamed lookout is on the Headland Nature Trail at Norah Head and has excellent views along the coastline and out to sea. The lookout is on a small, fenced, wooden platform.
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This unnamed lookout is on the Headland Nature Trail at Norah Head and has excellent views along the coastline and out to sea. The lookout is on a small, fenced, wooden platform.
Continue straight, to head along Norah Head Nature Trail.
After another 360 m to find the car park.
After another 55 m turn left.
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 10 m continue straight.
After another 15 m find the "Merchant Mariners memorial and lookout" (on your right).
Merchant Mariners memorial and lookout
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 . 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.
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This memorial and lookout point commemorates the loss of lives in the merchant navy, during times of war, primarily WWII . 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.
After another 3 m turn right.
After another 55 m pass the sign (on your right).
After another 65 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 20 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 15 m find the "Lighthouse cottages and weddings" (on your left).
Lighthouse cottages and weddings
Lighthouse cottages and weddings

The cottages at the Norah Head Lighthouse can be booked as accommodation (ph: 1300 132 975) and the Lighthouse grounds can be booked for weddings (ph: (02) 4396 4102).
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The cottages at the Norah Head Lighthouse can be booked as accommodation (ph: 1300 132 975) and the Lighthouse grounds can be booked for weddings (ph: (02) 4396 4102).

After another 55 m continue straight.
After another 90 m find the "Norah Head Lighthouse" (on your left).
Norah Head Lighthouse
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 , every half hour between 10am and 1:30pm .
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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 , every half hour between 10am and 1:30pm .

Then head down the steps (about 45 m long)
After another 85 m find the "Norah Head Lighthouse Point lookout" (on your left).
Norah Head Lighthouse Point lookout
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.
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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.

After another 280 m come to the "Norah Head rockshelf".
Norah Head rockshelf
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.
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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.
After another 690 m turn sharp left.
After another 10 m find the "Norah Head Rock Pool" (8 m on your right).
Norah Head Rock Pool
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.
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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.

Then head down the steps (about 55 m long)
Then pass the water tap (on your left).
After another 6 m pass the toilet (8 m on your left).
After another 40 m turn left.
After another 85 m turn right.
After another 85 m turn right, to head along Bush Street.
After another 55 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Norah Head Lighthouse Loop


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 2.5 km
Time 50 min to 1 h
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 820 m apart with the largest gap of 2.1 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 820 m apart with the largest gap of 1.5 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
85 m[toilet]
Seat
900 m[seat]
Seat
920 m[seat]
Toilet
2.2 km[toilet]
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Bush St reserve
This picnic area is in Bush St, Norah Head, near the intersection with Young St. The reserve has parking, toilets, picnic tables and garbage bins. There are fantastic views along the coastline. The Headland Nature Trail starts here, and it also a short walk to the beach and ocean rockpool.
Headland lookout
This unnamed lookout is on the Headland Nature Trail at Norah Head and has excellent views along the coastline and out to sea. The lookout is on a small, fenced, wooden platform.
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 . 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.
Lighthouse cottages and weddings
The cottages at the Norah Head Lighthouse can be booked as accommodation (ph: 1300 132 975) and the Lighthouse grounds can be booked for weddings (ph: (02) 4396 4102).
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 , every half hour between 10am and 1:30pm .
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.
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.
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.
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