South West Rocks Beaches

From historic ruins to stunning beaches, the state's most elevated lighthouse to world class diving, South West Rocks has an endless list of attractions. Once a sleepy coastal village, the South West Rocks has grown into a tourism hot spot for travellers from all over the world. South West Rocks is home to numerous award winning beaches and boasts one of only two west facing beaches on the east coast of Australia.

Getting to South West Rocks

From the south turn off the Pacific Highway at Kempsey just before the traffic bridge. Follow the road for 38km passing through the historic villages of Gladstone & Kinchela until you reach South West Rocks.

From the north turn left off the Pacific Highway onto Plummers Lane 1km after the Clybucca service station. Follow the road along the river until you cross over the Macleay River on the Jerseyville Bridge. Turn left at the intersection and follow the road into town.

Beaches and Surfing at South West Rocks

Horseshoe Bay

Located in the centre of town, Horseshoe Bay is the most popular beach with locals and visitors alike. Featuring grassy headlands to picnic on, a sandy beach to sunbake, a sheltered cove to swim in and a 180 degree view from the mountains to Trial Bay. Horseshoe Bay is home to an excellent right hand wave that’s the locals' choice when we have east coast lows.
Length – 200m
Four Wheel Drive Access – Prohibited
Surf Lifesaving Patrol – Yes on weekends and during holiday season. Always swim between the flags and obey the life guards.

Main Beach

On the eastern side of the Horseshoe Bay headland is the Wedge and Main Beach which is a long, sandy beach perfect for those lazy walks on a hot day. Main Beach stretches 3.5km around to Trial Bay and offers tranquil swimming opportunities where you can space yourself out from the crowds. Not a popular surfing beach although the Wedge sometimes has a fast moving wave that peaks when a second wave rebounds off the rocks and intercepts it. Suitable for body boarding or body surfing.
Length – 3.5km including Trial Bay
Four Wheel Drive Access – Prohibited except for Pro Fishermen
Surf Lifesaving Patrol – Yes on weekends and during holiday season. Always swim between the flags and obey the life guards.

Trial Bay

Trial Bay is a sheltered little cove protected from the swell by a purpose built break wall. Home of the famous Trial Bay Gaol, the bay is one of the only west facing beaches in NSW where you can watch the sun set over the water. Trial Bay is a shallow bay with white sandy beach that’s popular with families and small children.
Length – 3.5km including Main Beach
Four Wheel Drive Access – Prohibited
Surf Lifesaving Patrol – None

South Smoky Beach

South Smoky Beach stretches north to Smoky Cape Lighthouse and has 4WD access for those with a beach driving permit. South Smoky Beach is a long sandy beach where you can pull up a million miles from anyone and have the beach to yourself which is great if you want to go sunbaking away from the crowds. Depending on swell direction and the location of sand bars, several beach breaks can be found producing a mixture of left and right hand waves for the experienced surfer. On most days you can have the break to yourself.
Length – 15km
Four Wheel Drive Access – Yes to beach permit holders
Surf Lifesaving Patrol – None

Things to see and do at South West Rocks

Arakoon State Conservation Area is home to Trial Bay Gaol which was built in 1886 as a public works prison to house prison labourers entrusted to build a break wall designed to make Trial Bay a safe harbour between Sydney and Brisbane. When the break wall scheme was abandoned the gaol sat dormant until World War I where it was used as a German internment camp. Today the gaol is open to the public (admission fees apply) and serves as a museum packed full of information, history and multimedia displays. Graves and a granite memorial overlooking Trial Bay Gaol are accessed via a sealed walking track.
 
If you’re up for a walk check out the Smoky Cape Lighthouse. Located approximately 8km from the gaol, the lighthouse is accessible by road or by following the walking track that winds around the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Pack lunch and a camera as there’s plenty of secluded beaches and coves along the way.  Jack Perkins Track leads to North Smoky Beach which is a clothes optional beach. 

If you find yourself walking around the bay to Horseshoe headland, stop off on the way back and see if you can find the wreck of an old car ferry stranded in the dunes about 1km from the surf club. Currently seen from the beach follow the walking track to the ferry which is one of three that beached in the 70’s during a wild storm that lashed the bay. Visibility of the ferry wrecks depends on the height of the sand.