Norah Head

Spot majestic whales, walk under a rainforest canopy and visit a heritage-listed lighthouse in Norah Head. This sunny, secluded and laid-back coastal town on the NSW Central Coast is great fun for surfers, beachgoers, mountain bikers and anglers. Found on a picturesque headland and blessed with natural beauty, spectacular views await.

Norah Head Lighthouse

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

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. 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.

Whale watching

There are more vantage points to experience the wonder of these majestic marine mammals, as they migrate to warmer waters, in the northern section of the splendid Wyrrabalong National Park. This nearby natural wonderland is also home to the largest remaining littoral rainforest on the Central Coast.

Coastal walks & fishing

A highlight of Wyrrabalong National Park is the Lillypilly loop trail. Walk under a lovely littoral rainforest canopy of cabbage tree palms, corkwoods and tuckeroos. The 3.5km walk includes vistas of the glittering Tuggerah Lake – a popular waterway for kayaking, sailing and waterskiing – and links up with the Red Gum trail.

The 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. 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.

Norah Head juts out from the Central Coast and is marvellous 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. Near-shore boat fishing can also be rewarding. Before you go, please read these fishing safety tips, especially if you’re going rock fishing.

Getting there & where to stay

Norah Head is around 1hr 30min drive north from Sydney and an hour south of Newcastle. There are many places to stay in and around Norah Head, including holiday parks, hotels, health retreats, the heritage-listed lighthouse cottages and the nearby Pullman Magenta Shores Resort.