South West Rocks

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South West Rocks Beaches and Surfing

South West Rocks - Where history and nature embrace

If Captain Cook happened to be sailing north toward South West Rocks today, he would find the coastline around Smoky Cape little changed since 1770. Secluded beaches, spectacular headlands, large sand dunes, coastal heaths, rainforest and wetlands stretch for 24 kilometres through Hat Head National Park and Arakoon State Conservation Area, and there is not another soul in sight.

Named after a sailor’s south-west compass bearing taken near large granite boulders about 1.7 metres off Laggers Point, South West Rocks is blessed with golden beaches and rocky headlands straight from South Pacific's movie set. A sub-tropical climate guarantees beach lovers year-round opportunity to swim, surf, sail, snorkel, scuba dive, boat and fish in clear seas. The beach and rock fishing is outstanding.

Deep-sea fishers catch marlin, mackerel, kingfish and pearl perch. Under the translucent sea, scuba divers explore the 110-metre tunnel at Fish Rock, home to grey nurse sharks, wrasse, clown fish, tuna, kingfish, groupers and parrotfish. Above the water, surfers catch waves at Horseshoe Bay, South Smoky and Gap Beach. Osprey, sea eagles and pelicans comb the coastline.  

Pleasure craft and diving and fishing charters head out to sea at New Entrance, where the Macleay River meets the Tasman Sea. Groups of fishers sit under trees on the grassy riverbank, leisurely waiting for a bream to bite. If the ‘big one’ gets away, they can always have a meal at one of The Rocks’ atmospheric pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants or takeaways.  

Horseshoe Bay lies enticingly beyond parkland fronting a charismatic shopping centre. In the shade of the park's towering pine trees, mums and dads set up picnics and watch their children swim in the beautiful bay. Sport lovers can pushbike on purpose-built trails or play tennis, bowls, squash and golf. Film buffs enjoy the latest movies at the picture theatre.

The fishing-hook-shaped coastline snares Trial Bay and dangles its sheltered beach tantalizingly toward the setting sun. Watching toddlers splash in water as calm as a swimming pool with catamarans, windsurfers and kayaks skimming across deeper water behind them, it is hard to imagine Trial Bay was named after a shipwreck. 

In 1816, 13 convicts seized the brig Trial while it was anchored in Sydney Harbour and sailed it north with eight to 10 crew and passengers still aboard. All hands vanished when the brig was wrecked off Trial Bay.

Trial Bay Gaol was opened as a public works prison in 1886. Its prisoners were put to work building a huge breakwater to form a safe harbour between Sydney and Brisbane, but the plan failed. Made from locally quarried pink and grey granite, Trial Bay Gaol was also used to house German internees during WWI. It is an eerie experience wandering these imposing ruins but the views are breathtaking. The gaol and its informative museum are open daily from 9am to 4.30pm (except Christmas Day). Guided tours are available during the school holidays but bookings are essential.

For thousands of years Laggers Point was a large gathering and ceremonial place for the Dunghutti, and neighbouring nations the Gumbaynggirr and Biripi. Perhaps it was the smoke of one such meeting that Cook spied when he sailed past and decided to name the largest mountain in the range Smoky Cape.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse was built on the deserted headland in 1891 and life for its keepers and their families was one of isolation, hardship and self-reliance. The lighthouse is the most elevated in NSW and is still operational, but these days a stay in the keepers' cottages is nothing short of heavenly. Lighthouse tours can be arranged on request and a fascinating audio display is open anytime. At 128 metres above sea level and cradled in Hat Head National Park’s wilderness, you will feel as though you are on the top of the world and the end of the earth.

Walking tracks through Arakoon State Conservation Area range from easy to moderate and link Trial Bay Gaol to Little Bay day picnic area. For the more adventurous, try one of the harder tracks through Hat Head National Park from Captain Cook's Lookout and day picnic area at Smoky Cape to North Smoky Beach (where clothes are optional), Green Island, Gap Beach, Little Bay and Trial Bay. 

Over one dozen bird species call the area home, including endangered glossy-black cockatoos, along with kangaroos, brush-tailed phascogales and sugar gliders. Fields of wildflowers brush your feet in spring and during the annual migration season, whales breach close to shore.

Quick tips around South West Rocks…

• For more information visit the South West Rocks Visitor Information Centre at the historic Boatman Cottage in Ocean Avenue and take time to absorb its marvellous maritime display.
• Children's playgrounds at Horseshoe Bay Park and Little Bay Picnic area.
• Follow the South West Rocks Scenic Drive to fully appreciate this pretty village or take an historical walk through town.
• To see kangaroos head to Little Bay or New Entrance, and feed the ducks at Overshot Dam, also known as the Duck Pond. 
• Walk the dog leash free on Front Beach between Wrecks and the old Fisherman's Hut.
• Beach driving, for permit holders only, is permitted on the southern end of South Smoky Beach. For information and beach driving permits, maps and regulations contact Kempsey Shire Council on (02) 6566 3200.

Don't miss the following events at South West Rocks:

• The Huge Fishing Comp in January.
  
• Trial Bay Triathlon in February.
  
• Horseshoe Bay Markets on the second Saturday of each month.