Join me on our travels further south down the New South Wales coast to the little town of Seal Rocks and the Sugar Loaf Point Lighthouse. I had discovered this little gem of a place whilst surfing the net one evening and suggested that we make it a point to visit on our road trip.
Unfortunately I didn’t take photos of the village (because it is not big enough to be a town) of Seal Rocks itself that consisted of many holiday homes, beach shacks and a general store/post office. We had a mission to reach Sydney by nightfall so if we wished to explore the lighthouse, then we needed to forgo further sightseeing as I had already wasted valuable time that morning in the book fair. 😉
The road into Seal Rocks was a pleasant drive along a narrow, tree canopied, winding road that offered occasional glimpses of the ocean through the foliage as we neared Seal Rocks.
Parking for the Sugar Loaf Point Lighthouse is available in a car park on the edge of town and access to the lighthouse proper is along a bitumened track that meanders through gum trees, banksias and other native shrubbery.
The track is popular with walker and joggers as it rises to the point where the lighthouse is situated.
A pleasant place to stop and admire the view is on the left where a gorge funnels the tidal sea through it’s narrow opening.
Situated a little further uphill are the lighthouse buildings that are no longer used as keeper’s cottages but as accommodation for those wishing a quiet and relaxing getaway. These buildings are particularly popular during the annual whale migration up the east coast of Australia where the view from the lighthouse is magnificent.
Uphill of the buildings, there is a steep climb to the lighthouse itself. Thank goodness for graduated steps and a railing to hang on to!! The Tween ran up the stairs and then back down to join me until I pointed out the sign asking children not to run up and down. She just shrugged.
I stopped several times on the way up (ostensibly to take photos of the view) that allowed me time to get my breath back and give my knees a rest. It is days like this that I wish I still had the body and fitness of my time as a personal trainer.
The lighthouse itself is quite small however the short climb to the top still made me dizzy (have I mentioned that I have this little fear of heights). The wind was quite gusty and strong but I backed into the doorway and took many more photos looking south.
The Garden Gnome has taken photos of me climbing the stairs and standing at the top taking photos but I’ll save them for the family album and share instead one of him taking photos from up top 😉
We spent some time looking out to sea and spotted several pods of whales in the distance. My zoom lens could record them only as a faint spash in the distance and we regretted not bringing the binoculars from the car in order to see the whales a little more clearly.
The walk back down was much easier and we spent time around the cottages taking more photos before beginning our walk back along the track where birdsong accompanied the sounds of chattering tourists and heavy footfalls. We stopped to photograph the track leading down to the beach but time did not permit us exploring any further on this occasion.
Passing back through the partially burned scrub near the car park (it was black on one side and green on the other) we reached our car once more.
We agreed that this was definitely a detour in from the main road that was worth taking.
Love to see the tide moving through the small canyon, and climb the lighthouse. Great photos!!
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I’m sure you would love it John. I think many people when they visit a country, go only to the capital cities but there are jewels all over the place. So if you ever travel over here, allow several weeks. 🙂
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Beautiful trip, as usual 🙂
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Thank you Miss April. 🙂
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Wow! magnificent!
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It’s truly a beautiful place Elaine.
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Great pics here Suz. Love the lighthouse.
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It is really a gorgeous place Laurie. I found it by chance one night whilst looking for something else online and made sure we put it into our travel plans.
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It could be like Brigadoon Suz and only appears when someone thinks about it or something. 🙂
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That is so weird that you said that Laurie because I’ve been thinking just this morning how something often begins crossing your path when you have thought about it. 😉
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Sound of bagpipes in the distance, mist hovering over Lochs. You just never know Suz. 🙂
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Get out of my head man!! I’m reading Outlander and the whole Scottish reference is just too much. lol
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Do, do, do, do. He’s in your mind. 😉
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Glad you’re having fun with that… :p
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I have to have some fun. 🙂
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Amazing photography Suz. I think you did well to get all the way to the top. That is very beautiful territory – love the gorge.
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Thank you Paul. In actual fact, it wasn’t that far to the top (the Tween ran it) but my fitness levels are abysmal. lol
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Great post Suz..
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Thanks. 🙂
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Wonderful photos- and the water is so blue! Love the different perspectives- up and down
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The water was truly amazing that day. 🙂
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What a day! and whales, too 🙂
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I wish I could have seen the whales a little better though 😦 One day my wish will come true.
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Another place to add to the list. Thanks Sue. Love your snapshot of this area, each photo gives you the feel as well as the look of the place. I loved the old wooden door. I too have a fear of heights and don’t like going up stairs, especially ones that you can see through nor large bridges….
I caught my first glimpse of a whale from my camera on the weekend but it was a ways away and I only had a 200 zoom. Oh for a telephoto lens!!! I feel your pain 😦
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Don’t you just hate that? Mine only goes to 250mm and even that isn’t enough with the whales I’ve spotted.
If you ever travel down the NSW coast, look up Seal Rocks (it’s below Forster-Tuncurry a little).
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I love lighthouses! Gorgeous photos and beautiful place!
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Thanks Laura. It really was a beautiful place to find. 🙂
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:))
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Great photos and what a brilliant place. I can see why it’s popular with walkers, I’d love to have a wander there 🙂
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I’d love to go back one day. 🙂
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Great pics Sue, the gorge was the one that attracted my eye, it must rise and drop as the tides flow.
You have been to another place I have yet to see, slow down and let me catch up with you.
Cheers
Ian
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It was wonderful to watch it Ian. You’ve been to places that I haven’t yet so I think we’re pretty even. lol
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