Guidebook for South West Rocks
Parks & Nature
Lovely outdoor walks or places of interest in local or nearby National Parks.
At the breakwater at Lager Point, from the one spot, you can see the both the sunrise and the sunset over the water.
We often walk into town for lunch or dinner along the beach at low tide. If the tide isn't quite right, you can do one half of the trip along Phillip Drive. Once along the beach to the Surf Club, there is a walkway and boardwalk right around to Back Creek.
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Trial Bay
At the breakwater at Lager Point, from the one spot, you can see the both the sunrise and the sunset over the water.
We often walk into town for lunch or dinner along the beach at low tide. If the tide isn't quite right, you can do one half of the trip along Phillip Drive. Once along the beach to the Surf Club, there is a walkway and boardwalk right around to Back Creek.
Spectacular loop walk possible which can incorporate breakfast or lunch (if you are hungry).
This is our favourite walk. We often head out and stop at the Trial Bay Kiosk for breakfast. In summer, we'll stop for a swim at the beach, in winter we'll spend ages up there with binoculars, whale-watching.
Monument Hill
Spectacular loop walk possible which can incorporate breakfast or lunch (if you are hungry).
This is our favourite walk. We often head out and stop at the Trial Bay Kiosk for breakfast. In summer, we'll stop for a swim at the beach, in winter we'll spend ages up there with binoculars, whale-watching.
Parco nazionale di Arakoon
Trial Bay Gaol Access RoadBeautiful and of great historic interest.
Spectacular circular walking trail at Hat Head. Whales in winter and spring. Snorkelling in Korogoro Creek in spring, summer and autumn.
Korogoro Track
Korogoro TrackSpectacular circular walking trail at Hat Head. Whales in winter and spring. Snorkelling in Korogoro Creek in spring, summer and autumn.
The skywalk is free. The Lyrebird Link Track is the walk I like the best, but there are many to choose from.
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Skywalk Dorrigo National Park
Sky WalkThe skywalk is free. The Lyrebird Link Track is the walk I like the best, but there are many to choose from.
You can drive or bike to this little-known boat ramp at Back Creek, South West Rocks. Good spot for very sheltered kayaking.
Boat Ramp
You can drive or bike to this little-known boat ramp at Back Creek, South West Rocks. Good spot for very sheltered kayaking.
Sightseeing
Places to go. Things to do.
Historic Trial Bay Gaol, was built in the 1800s by convicts who were to build a breakwater to make a safe harbour half-way between Sydney and Brisbane. The partially built breakwater silted up the bay so the project was abandoned. The gaol was later an internment camp for men of German descent who were regarded as "enemy aliens" in WW1.
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Trial Bay Gaol
73 Trial Bay Gaol Access RdHistoric Trial Bay Gaol, was built in the 1800s by convicts who were to build a breakwater to make a safe harbour half-way between Sydney and Brisbane. The partially built breakwater silted up the bay so the project was abandoned. The gaol was later an internment camp for men of German descent who were regarded as "enemy aliens" in WW1.
Stunningly picturesque lighthouse of historic and architectural interest.
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Smoky Cape Lighthouse
Lighthouse RoadStunningly picturesque lighthouse of historic and architectural interest.
The breakwater is a significant historic feature. There is also a craft shop in South West Rocks and a Maritime Museum.
Laggers Point
The breakwater is a significant historic feature. There is also a craft shop in South West Rocks and a Maritime Museum.
The visitor's centre has helpful staff and houses the Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery. It is next also next door to the Macleay River Historical Society.
Macleay Valley Coast Visitor Center
490 Macleay Valley WayThe visitor's centre has helpful staff and houses the Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery. It is next also next door to the Macleay River Historical Society.
Great place to go bird-watching in the wetlands near South West Rocks at dawn and dusk. Easiest is between sunset and last light. Take insect spray.
Boyters Lane
Boyters LaneGreat place to go bird-watching in the wetlands near South West Rocks at dawn and dusk. Easiest is between sunset and last light. Take insect spray.
Waterfall Way
Waterfall WayScenic road between Bellingen and Dorrigo.
Ebor Falls, Upper Viewing Platform
Ebor Walking TrackGreat if it has been raining recently.
Great view to the coast, but must be a relatively cloud-free day because this is quite high up. If you end up in the clouds, you won't see a thing.
Point Lookout
Great view to the coast, but must be a relatively cloud-free day because this is quite high up. If you end up in the clouds, you won't see a thing.
A beautiful spot. Very near the centre of South West Rocks. Well worth walking over the footbridge over Back Creek. It's lovely to see kids having fun diving off the highest part of the bridge. On the other side of the footbridge head out to the shore for a walk along Back Beach and get to the break-wall on the Macleay River.
If the weather has been dry, snorkelling in back creek can be great just toward high tide. A good spot to kayak too.
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Back Creek Bridge
South West Rocks RoadA beautiful spot. Very near the centre of South West Rocks. Well worth walking over the footbridge over Back Creek. It's lovely to see kids having fun diving off the highest part of the bridge. On the other side of the footbridge head out to the shore for a walk along Back Beach and get to the break-wall on the Macleay River.
If the weather has been dry, snorkelling in back creek can be great just toward high tide. A good spot to kayak too.
There is now a paved walkway and board walk running from the Surf Club on Front Beach, over Monument Point, around Horseshoe Bay and Point Briner, down to Back Creek.
Trial Bay Front Beach
There is now a paved walkway and board walk running from the Surf Club on Front Beach, over Monument Point, around Horseshoe Bay and Point Briner, down to Back Creek.
Essentials
Coles South West Rocks
Shopping
In town there are various clothing stores - good for holiday and beach clothing. There is a local craft shop in the Boatman's Cottage on Livingstone Ave, a small Maritime Museum and an Art Gallery.
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South West Rocks
In town there are various clothing stores - good for holiday and beach clothing. There is a local craft shop in the Boatman's Cottage on Livingstone Ave, a small Maritime Museum and an Art Gallery.
Macleay River District Fisherman's Co-Op Ltd
2939 S W Rocks RdYou can get fresh seafood but get there early.
This large community market is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month
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Bellingen Community Markets
Church StreetThis large community market is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month
There is a market in Horseshoe Bay Reserve next to Livingstone St on the 2nd Saturday of each month
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Spiaggia di Horseshoe Bay
There is a market in Horseshoe Bay Reserve next to Livingstone St on the 2nd Saturday of each month
Small, next to the river, usually with live music, made in the Macleay Valley market held on the 3rd Sunday each month.
Gladstone Quality Market
22 Kinchela StSmall, next to the river, usually with live music, made in the Macleay Valley market held on the 3rd Sunday each month.
Rainbow Reach Oyster Barn
551 Rainbow Reach RdFresh Oysters sometimes for sale.
Look up Funkya at Unkya Market to check when the community market is on - I think it is usually the last Sunday on even months between 8am and 1pm.
Unkya Reserve
Eungai Creek RoadLook up Funkya at Unkya Market to check when the community market is on - I think it is usually the last Sunday on even months between 8am and 1pm.
Entertainment & Activities
They have a golf club, tennis courts and bowling. Plus the usual club food, billiard tables, pokie machines. Shows.
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South West Rocks Country Club
2 Sportmans Way
They have a golf club, tennis courts and bowling. Plus the usual club food, billiard tables, pokie machines. Shows.
South West Roxy Cinema
1 Gregory StDrinks & Nightlife
Pleasant covered outside area out the front. Heaters in winter. Always busy. Basic food. Live music some Saturdays and Sundays. They sometimes host special events (eg The German Weekend)..
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Seabreeze Beach Hotel
Livingstone StreetPleasant covered outside area out the front. Heaters in winter. Always busy. Basic food. Live music some Saturdays and Sundays. They sometimes host special events (eg The German Weekend)..
A scenic drive (best in daylight) to an iconic pub of Slim Dusty fame.
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The Pub with No Beer
4 Taylors Arm RdA scenic drive (best in daylight) to an iconic pub of Slim Dusty fame.
Arts & Culture
Local history a the Museum and local crafts at the cottage.
South West Rocks Boatman's Cottage Maritime Museum
Local history a the Museum and local crafts at the cottage.
Apparently a "must see" for those old enough to remember Slim Dusty and for Australian Country Music fans.
Slim Dusty Centre
490 Macleay Valley WayApparently a "must see" for those old enough to remember Slim Dusty and for Australian Country Music fans.
Located in the Kempsey Visitor Centre. The aim of the gallery is to showcase and market works of prominent established and emerging aboriginal artists of the Dunghutti region and Mid North Coast.
Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery
Located in the Kempsey Visitor Centre. The aim of the gallery is to showcase and market works of prominent established and emerging aboriginal artists of the Dunghutti region and Mid North Coast.