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.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Norah Head Lighthouse Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Norah Head Lighthouse Loop bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
2.5km
Time
1 Hr
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
1.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 380m is flat with no steps. The remaining (290m) has short steep hills.
Quality of track
1.1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 600m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 380m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 370m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
1.1km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 720m is clearly signposted. The remaining (630m) has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 1.2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 450m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
1.3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 840m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (360m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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(0 km)
Bush St Reserve car park
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Headland Nature Trail trackhead Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 93 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -1 m
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.
Bush St reserve
Alt = 25 m
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.
(0.09 km)
Headland Nature Trail trackhead
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Int near headland lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 156 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -5 m
Veer right: From the trackhead at the back of Bush St Reserve, this walk goes through the timber barricade, passing the 'Headland Nature Trail' sign and following the bush track. The track winds through the beautiful area of bush for a while before reaching an intersection with another bush track, close to a fenced lookout platform.
(0.25 km)
Int near headland lookout
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Headland lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 17 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk goes a very short distance along the bush track to the fenced lookout platform.
Headland lookout
Alt = 20 m
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.
(0.27 km)
Headland lookout
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Lighthouse car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 384 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn around: From the lookout platform, this walk goes a very short distance along the bush track to a 'Y' intersection. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, taking the left fork, directly away from the nearby lookout platform. After a short distance, the track follows a 'Nature Trail' arrow to the left, ignoring a track to the right, and continues meandering through the bush. The track passes over a small timber bridge and bends to the right, continuing through the bush for some time and arriving at the end of the lighthouse car park.
(0.65 km)
Lighthouse car park
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Merchant Mariners memorial lookout Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 87 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the end of the car park, this walk crosses the car park, tending to the left, then crosses Bush St to the Merchant Mariners memorial and lookout. There are numerous plaques in the footpath and set in rocks at the memorial, providing information about merchant ships and lives lost during times of war.
Merchant Mariners memorial and lookout
Alt = 23 m
This memorial and lookout point commemorates the loss of lives in the merchant navy, during times of war, primarily WWII [1]. 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.
(0.74 km)
Merchant Mariners memorial lookout
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Cottage car park Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 117 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn sharp left: From the lookout, this walk follows the footpath towards the lighthouse, passing an information board, to the right, and keeping the driveway to the left. The walk soon arrives at the corner of the lighthouse cottage yard, beside the car park.
Lighthouse cottages and weddings
Alt = 19 m
The cottages at the Norah Head Lighthouse can be booked as accommodation (ph: 1300 132 975[2]) and the Lighthouse grounds can be booked for weddings (ph: (02) 4396 4102[3]). More info
(0.85 km)
Cottage car park
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Lighthouse Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 100 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the corner of the cottage yard, this walk follows the footpath past the lighthouse cottages, to the left, to the gate beside the lighthouse.
Norah Head Lighthouse
Alt = 18 m
The lighthouse was established in 1903 and was converted from a kerosene burner to mains electricity power in 1961[4]. Tours of the lighthouse are available on weekends [5], every half hour between 10am and 1:30pm [6]. More info
(0.95 km)
Lighthouse
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Lighthouse Point lookout Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 77 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the gate beside the lighthouse, this walk follows the footpath, gently down the hill, towards the ocean. The walk soon reaches a viewing point at the top of the beach access steps.
Norah Head Lighthouse Point lookout
Alt = 13 m
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.
(1.03 km)
Lighthouse Point lookout
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Bottom of Norah Head steps Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 44 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
Turn right: From the top of the steps, this walk goes down the timber steps to the beach at the bottom.
(1.08 km)
Bottom of Norah Head steps
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Southern end of Lighthouse Beach Track: Hard - rockshelf
Length = 357 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer left: From the bottom of the steps, this walk crosses the end of the sandy beach and explores the extensive rock platform before heading north around the headland, keeping the ocean to the right. Soon after going around the headland, the walk reaches the southern end of Lighthouse Beach[7].
Norah Head rockshelf
Alt = 8 m
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.
(1.43 km)
Southern end of Lighthouse Beach
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Rock Pool Track: Hard - beach,rockshelf
Length = 746 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -15 m
Continue straight: From the southern end of Lighthouse Beach[8], this walk follows the beach north, keeping the ocean to the right, until reaching the rock platforms at the north end of the beach. Continue straight: From the northern end of Lighthouse Beach[9], this walk goes north across the rock shelf, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk then goes up the steps and along the concrete footpath with the metal handrail, around the headland and past the ocean pool, to the right, before arriving at the bottom of the concrete steps, just below the toilet block.
Norah Head Rock Pool
Alt = 9 m
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. More info
(2.18 km)
Rock Pool
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Int of Rock Pool Path and Bush St reserve path Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 89 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the bottom of the steps, this walk goes up the concrete steps and footpath, away from the ocean pool, passing the toilet block, to the left. The walk continues up the footpath, with houses to the right, until an intersection with a sandy path, to the left, signposted 'Cabbage Tree Harbour Rock Pool path, Bush St'[10].
(2.27 km)
Int of Rock Pool Path and Bush St reserve path
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Bush St Reserve car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 184 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sandy track away from the houses and the concrete footpath. The walk bends to the left and soon reaches an open grassy area. Here, the walk bends to the right and continues across the grassy area, keeping the car park to the right, and passing some picnic tables, until reaching the information board and trackhead at the back of the park. Turn right: From the information board and trackhead, this walk goes across the park, past the toilet block, to the car park of the Bush St Reserve, Norah Head (near the intersection with Young St).
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve is home to a small parcel of bushland and a lighthouse, north of The Entrance on the NSW Central Coast. The land and lighthouse is managed by the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Trust who was appointed by the NSW Minister for Lands in 2007. The trust maintains some walking track and the lighthouse. The lighthouse can be booked for overnight accommodation. The Lighthouse was opened on 15th November 1903 and is still in active use today. Region: I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)