Norah Head

Norah Head Lighthouse 

Norah Head Lighthouse is one of the last classical-style lighthouses in NSW. The lighthouse began operating in 1903 and still shines brightly over the ocean. Follow the walking track around the iconic landmark, down to the rock platform and Lighthouse Beach below. 

Norah Head Lighthouse, Norah Head

Whale watching 

The craggy headland on which the lighthouse sits is also a great vantage point for spotting whales on their annual migration between May and November. The nearby Wyrrabalong National Park is another good place for whale watching, and is also home to the largest remaining littoral rainforest on the Central Coast. 

Norah Head Lighthouse, Norah Head

Coastal walks 

A highlight of Wyrrabalong National Park is the Lillypilly loop trail. Walk under a canopy of cabbage tree palms, corkwoods and tuckeroos. The 3.5km walk includes vistas of Tuggerah Lake – a popular waterway for kayaking, sailing and waterskiing – and links up with the Red Gum trail, a 3.4km Red Gum walking and cycling track loops past towering red gums, flannel flowers and banksias that burst with yellow-green blossoms in summer.  

Red Gum trail, Wyrrabalong National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DPIE

Beaches 

Soldiers Beach is nestled between the park and Norah Head, and a top spot for swimming and surfing. Nearby Pelican Beach is a picturesque place for fishing. At the northern end of Norah Beach is a lovely rockpool which is perfect for families, sheltered from the waves.  

Norah Head Lighthouse, Central Coast

Fishing 

Norah Head juts out from the Central Coast and is excellent for rock fishing. You will also find great beach fishing, with plenty of locations to cast a line along the stunning coastline just north of The Entrance. Before you go, please read these fishing safety tips, especially if you’re going rock fishing. 

Bateau Bay picnic area, Wyrrabalong National Park

Where to stay 

Experience the area’s maritime history and stay in the beautifully-renovated heritage Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, waking up to a glorious sunrise and morning ocean swim. Nearby Norah Head Holiday Park has cabins, camping and caravan sites a short walk from the beach, with sister property Canton Beach Holiday Park offering the same on the foreshore of Tuggerah Lakes. Another lakeside spot is Beachcomber Hotel and Resort, which has beautiful rooms overlooking Budgewoi Lake. Further down the coast Pullman Magenta Shores Resort is a luxury retreat with a spa and golf course.  

Pullman Magenta Shores Resort pool, Magenta

Getting there 

Norah Head is around a one hour 30 minute drive north from Sydney and an hour south of Newcastle. You can take a train to Wyong from Sydney which takes one hour 30 minutes and from there its around an hour by bus to Norah Head.