Discover Norah Head on the NSW Central Coast
Quiet and unassuming, Norah Head may just be the Central Coast’s best-kept secret.
Norah Head, with its rugged coastline, white sand, iconic lighthouse and simplistic charm may be lesser known than buzzy tourist hubs like Terrigal or The Entrance, but for many, that is the big appeal.
It is one of the Central Coast’s most unspoiled hidden gems, a sleepy beach town, sitting pretty just north of the Tuggerah Lake.
Directly east of Lake Munmorah and Budgewoi Lake, with the Wyrrabalong National Park to the south and the Munmorah State Conservation Area just north, there is plenty of space to discover the diverse surrounding environment.
Relish in the natural surroundings by enjoying a scenic bushwalk, discover the heritage-listed lighthouse or watch whales from several perfect vantage points.
The lakes are ideal for activities like fishing, water skiing, canoeing or sailboarding. For beachgoers, Soldiers Beach is an awesome spot for swimming and surfing.
The Norah Head lighthouse is perhaps what the suburb is best known for. A striking feature sitting prominently on the craggy headland overlooking the beach, it is the last colonial built lighthouse on the NSW coast and full of history. Tours are available, and you can even stay in the Keepers Quarters, a truly unique place to rest and a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area.
A lookout near the lighthouse is probably the best position for whale spotting, a popular thing to do in Norah Head between the months of May and November. The annual Whale Dreamers Festival celebrates the wonder of these magnificent mammals, raising funds for conservation and research projects about whales.
A bush trail leading from the Bush Street Reserve to the Norah Head lighthouse takes about an hour to hike and offers the most incredible view over Norah Head Rock Pool and Cabbage Tree Harbour.
You can also find some unique rainforest trails in the Wyrrabalong National Park near Magenta. Under a canopy of towering corkwoods, cabbage tree palms and tuckeroos you will find the Lillypilly loop trail, which includes the coast’s largest remaining stand of coastal or ‘littoral’ rainforest. Via a sandy track there is the 3.4km Red Gum trail, surrounded in majestic red gum forest backed by water views.
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