Seal Rocks
Seal Rocks is a remote coastal fishing village located in the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
Understand
Seal Rocks (sometimes called 'The Last Frontier') is one of the most secluded, untouched and beautiful beach spots on the New South Wales coast. Disconnected from the Mid-North Coast by a small road and surrounded by state parks and lakes, the Seal Rocks peninsula feels a million miles away despite being only 3 and a half hours drive from Sydney.
The main attractions of Seal Rocks are its stunning beaches, great surfing, coastal hikes, and aquatic life. In total there are five beaches in Seal Rocks each with it's own special aspects. There is also a lighthouse, officially known as Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse.
The town itself is very small and is perched on a steep hill overlooking Boat Beach. Infrastructure is very limited and consists of about a twenty architecturally designed beach houses, fisherman shacks, a seafood co-op and a general store. The locals are well known for their peaceful resistance to attempts by developers to commercialise the village. On entering the town by car, the words "Save Seal Rocks The Last Frontier" can be seen painted on the road.
Get in
Seal Rocks is in a remote location and therefore a car is the most convenient way to get to Seal Rocks.
By car
Travelling north from Sydney or Newcastle, take the Pacific Highway (A1) until you reach the Lakes Way Road turnoff and signs for Seal Rocks. Continue along the windy Lakes Way Road for about 30 minutes until you reach the turnoff for Seal Rocks (if you travel through the town of Bungwahl you have gone to far). Continue along Seal Rocks Road for about 10 minutes.
If travelling south from Brisbane or Port Macquarie continue along the Pacific Highway (A1) and then turn left onto The Lakes Way following the Forster and Tuncurry signs. This will take you through Tuncurry and then Foster. Continue on the Lakes Way travelling for approximately 30 minutes and then turn left onto Seal Rocks Road. Continue along Seal Rocks road for 10 minutes until you reach Seal Rocks.
Note: Despite local resistance, the gravel road into Seal Rocks has been paved over.
By public transport
Given it's small population and remote location, the Seal Rocks town itself is not served by public transport. It is however possible to get to the near by town of Bungwahl and then catch a taxi or hitch a ride into Seal Rocks. If travelling from Sydney, take the Newcastle and Central Coast train from Central Station and get off at Borardmeadow Station (2.5 hours, every hour). Once at Broardmeadow Station, transfer to bus 150 (2.5 hours, twice daily) leaving for Taree and get off at Bungwahl station and look for a taxi to Seal Rocks. If there are none available, check into the general store and ask them to call you one. If travelling from Brisbane or Port Macquarie, take the train to Taree and then transfer to bus 150 heading for Broardmeadow Station. Get off at Bungwahl station and look for a taxi to Seal Rocks.
By organised tour
If you are desperate to get to Seal Rocks and don't have access to a car and don't want to take public transport, there are often Surf Schools that travel to Seal Rocks leaving from Sydney. If you are an independent traveller and don't want to take part in the organised tour, it may be worth asking them if they will let you hitch a ride on there bus for a fee.
Get around
While it is possible to get around the Seal Rocks peninsula solely by walking, most locals and visitors use their feet for short trips (such as to the lighthouse or the general store) and their car for beaches further away (e.g. Treachery Beach). All beaches have designated places for parking and will have a boardwalk for easy access to the sand. All visitors should avoid making their own tracks through the bush to the sand as this can degrade the natural environment.
Driving on the beach
It is possible to drive your 4wd on Boat Beach and Lighthouse Beach. Driving on the beach requires a permit and this can be purchased at the general store. In general however only local fisherman drive on the beach as it can be dangerous and can degrade the environment. If you choose to drive on the beach, be aware that the sand is very soft and the surf can rise over the beach quickly. Unless you are a very exprienced driver, do not drive on the beach with a 'softroader' (Toyota Rav4 for example) and be sure to stay clear of the ocean and the waves. Finally, be sure to check your with your insurance company before driving on the beach as ome contracts do not cover accidents occurring on the beach.
See
Parks and viewpoints
- 🌍
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse. Perched high on a hill above the famously treacherous Seal Rocks, the Seal Rocks lighthouse is one of the more spectacular lighthouses on the east coast of Australia. Completed in 1875 to highlight the dangerous rocks beneath it, the lighthouse is the main reason why Seal Rocks exists today as the construction of the road from Bungwahl was for the contruction of the lighthouse. The view from the lighthouse is spectacular and is worth the walk to the top. Adjoining the lighthouse are three cottages, and various outbuildings which are now used as holiday accommodation. Despite the lighthouse construction 20 years earilier, one of Australia's biggest shipping disasters occurred off Sugarloaf Point; the wreck of the SS Catterthun in 1895 when bound from Sydney to China with the loss of thirty one lives.
- 🌍 Seal Rocks Blowhole. On the way to the lighthouse from the village is a large blowhole which makes for great watching during storms. Be sure to keep a fair distance between you and the surf as getting caught in the blowhole would be likely to cause you to drown or at least get injured from been crashed on the rocks.
Seal Rocks Blowhole - 🌍 Whale Rescue Plaque. In 1992, 49 False Killer Whales beached themselves at Lighthouse Beach (South of the Lighthouse). To avoid certain death, hundreds of volunteers transported the whales overland to Boat Beach and by July 16th 36 were able to be released. This rescue was one of the most successful ever and therefore a plaque was erected to commemorate the outstanding effort by the volunteers. This is also one of the best viewpoints of the picturesque Boat Beach.
Marine Mammal Watching
It is possible to see Southern Right and Humpback Whale's from Seal Rocks between between early June and August. The best place to spot whales is from the lighthouse however any of the Seal Rocks headlands will do. Southern Right Whales are much rarer than Humpbacks and are usually seeking out shallow protected bays and inlets to mate and give birth.
Dolphins are also common sight at any of the four beaches at Seal Rocks year round. Dolphins will come quite close to the shore and if you are lucky they might surf the waves and jump from the water. It is also possible (but extremely rare) to see seals lying on the rocks. Despite been given Seal Rocks because of its large numbers of seals resting on the its rocks, indiscriminate harvesting of seals in the 18th and 19th centuries reduced the population significantly and means seal sightings are almost impossible.
Do
Swimming and surfing
Seal Rocks has some stunning beaches for swimming and a couple of great surf sports. Being a peninsula, Seal Rocks has beaches facing many directions and therefore it is best to choose a beach based on the direction of the wind and where the swell is coming from.
- 🌍 Number One Beach (also known as First Beach). This is the first beach that visitors will see as they arrive into Seal Rocks and makes for a stunning entrance to the peninsula. This beach faces north east and usually has small, white wash type waves which are great for learning to surf. Further out to the point is Seal Rock's famous right hander point break. On good days, waves will be quite large and will connect up to the beach break allowing you to surf all the way to the sand. The optimal conditions for good waves is a northeast groundswell with offshore southwesters.
- 🌍 Boat Beach. Perhaps Seal Rocks's most photogenic beach, Boat Beach is the calmest and most protected beach. This beach is perfect for those that simply want to swim or when there are large swells hitting the other beaches. This is also the beach where fisherman launch their boats which can be quite entertaining if there are waves.
- 🌍 Lighthouse Beach (North). The north end of Lighthouse Beach is a great place to relax and go snorkelling. With the beach semi protected by the rocks there are usually gentle waves and good snorkelling spots. The beach is walking distance from village and involves walking in the direction of the lighthouse and then turning off down a fenced path down to the sand.
- 🌍 Lighthouse Beach (South). The south end of Lighthouse Beach is a great place to go if your are looking for a quiet (i.e. no other people) place to swim and relax. The swell can be rougher then the north end so be careful swimming on big wave days. To access the south end, drive your car down Thomas Road until you reach a turn off for Lighthouse Beach. Drive down the small track and look for the designated parking spot. From here its a short walk down a fenced path and baordwalk to the sand. This is also the place that you can get on Lighthouse Beach with your 4wd.
- 🌍 Treachery Breach (Treach). Treachery Beach is another beach on the south end of the peninsula and is popular for those staying at Treachery Beach Holiday Park. Treachery Beach is also popular for surfers and waves tend to be better on the northern end. On stormy days you will see how the beach gets its name. Do not swim during storms unless you are a very strong swimmer as the waves are large and the rips are strong.
Diving
Seal Rocks has some of the best diving in Australia. Popular aquatic life include Grey Nurse Sharks, huge cod, massed schools of baitfish, kingfish, snapper, giant lobsters and the occasional Bronze Whaler Shark. It is also possible to see the Shipwreck, S.S. Satara and Shipwreck, S.S. Catterthun. The S.S. Satara is rated as one of the best wreck dives on the east coast of Australia wile the S.S. Catterthun is also fantastic but its 55-62 metre depth and strong currents make it only available to very experienced divers. There are also two caves to be explored (both similar depths of 33 m) and is best taken underwater tour. Advanced qualification and torches are essential.
Unless you have your own gear and boat, there are no dive companies that will be able to take you to the sites from Seal Rocks itself. There are a couple of dive companies in Forster which then go to Seal Rocks from there. They are:
- 🌍 Dive Forster at Fisherman's Wharf.
Coastal Walks
Seal Rocks has some great short but excellent coastal walks.
- 🌍 Treachery Headland walking track. is a short walk (30 mins, 2 km, easy grade) that offers impressive views of Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, the rocky headland and the coastline. It’s an easy walk, taking you on a journey through the park’s coastal rainforest. You’ll pass a giant fig tree with intricate buttress roots before reaching the grassy headland where stunning views await. A sidetrack off the main one will take you down to the white sands of the secluded Treachery Beach. It’s a great spot for fishing and surfing.
Buy
Seal Rocks has one general store which sells the absolute basics. The town of Bunghwal (15 minutes drive away) has a bigger general store and a bottle shop selling alcohol. Supermarkets are at least 30 minutes drive away and therefore it is best to do all your grocery shopping before you arrive at Seal Rocks. If coming by the car from the Sydney, stop in at the Raymond Terrace Woolworths. If coming from the north, stop in at the Toncurry Woolworths.
Eat
The general store sells basic take away food like meat pies and sausage rolls
Drink
A new coffee shop 'Single Fin Coffee' has opened that operates out of a caravan next to the general store. Coffee is expensive at $5 however it is pretty good. Expect the coffee shop to only be open during the summer months.