Live out your dream by staying in historically significant accommodation built in the 1870s. Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages are located in the fishing and surf village of Seal Rocks NSW and within the Myall Lakes National Park on Worimi land.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse also known as Seal Rocks Lighthouse is an active light tower that has been operating since December 1875. It was built to stand guard over the rugged and pointy Seal Rocks and Sawtooth Rocks as these were unsuitable to build a lighthouse on. The elegant light tower is one of only two light towers in Australia with an external stairway, and has been automated by electricity since 1987. The prominent white Head Keeper’s Cottage and the two semidetached Assistant Keepers’ Cottages were designed by colonial architect James Barnet, who designed major building projects such as the Sydney General Post Office, NSW Museum and Callan Park Lunatic Asylum.
The white, fine sanded Lighthouse Beach is just a short walk down a stepped path from the Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages and is a high energy beach. The beach faces directly into the southerly waves, and this is evident from the cottages where you will hear the strength and rhythm of its waves pounding directly on the shore.
A highlight is to take an evening walk along this 2km beach while the sun is setting, passing a large sandy foreshore that slopes prominently into National Park bush land. At the end of the beach towards Treachery Heads you will be able to see the coastal rainforest. A 4WD is permitted to drive on Lighthouse Beach with entry between Seal Rocks and Treachery Heads on Yagon Road.
At low tide, discover the fascinating rock formations, hidden crevices teeming with small marine life, and tranquil tide pools at the Sugarloaf Point end of the beach.
Protected from the southerlies is the scenic Boat Beach, which is a pleasant 15 minute walk from Sugarloaf Point, passing two large gorges with natural arches rising up to 40m in height. The walk then continues through the National Park on the shaded Lighthouse road that leads to and from the cottages. From the public car park at the end of Lighthouse Road, Boat Beach is just a short walk at the start of Kinka Road.
Boat Beach is a renowned destination for snorkelling and diving, thanks to its calm, clear waters. Experienced snorkellers can venture to Statis Rock, a small island located 200 metres offshore. This vibrant marine habitat is home to an array of fascinating sea life, including turtles, Blue Groupers, Wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks, and Grey Nurse sharks.
Treachery Headland walking track offers impressive views of Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, Sawtooth Rocks and the coastline. It’s a short walk from the nearby Treachery Campground, taking you on a journey through the park’s coastal rainforest. You’ll pass a giant fig tree with intricate buttress roots before reaching the grassy headland where stunning views await.
A sidetrack off the main one will take you down to the white sands of the secluded Treachery Beach. It’s a great spot for fishing, surfing, and spotting dolphins and whales.
Number One Beach is the first beach that greets you as you enter Seal Rocks, offering breathtaking views of the coastline. Ideal for families, as it provides a safe swimming environment and is a favourite spot for surfers when the waves break along the point. The beach also features a scenic reserve area with picnic tables and benches, perfect for enjoying a picnic lunch.
Starting at the Yagon Campground, follow the scenic boardwalk surrounded by banksias and blackbutts, leading to a secluded beach with golden sands that stretch endlessly toward Hawks Nest. Enjoy the pristine waters and the natural beauty of this tranquil escape.
Neranie picnic area near Bungwahl is the perfect spot for young families to enjoy a day by the edge of the Myall Lake. With shallow waters ideal for swimming, liloing, paddling, and boating, it offers a safe and relaxing environment in a serene natural environment.
Sugarloaf Point is a much loved lighthouse precinct with its natural coastal landscape, rocky headland, and national park setting.
A short stroll from the cottages leads to a grassy headland, perfect for having a picnic while watching the sun dip below the horizon. From this vantage point you can take in the views of Sawtooth Rocks, Little Seal Rock, and even as far as Broughton Island, the southernmost point of Myall Lakes National Park. With a pair of binoculars, you might even catch sight of seals basking on the rocks in the distance.
Bottlenose dolphins can often be seen cruising along Lighthouse Beach in large pods, eagerly greeting the Humpback whales as they approach the shore during their northern migration from May to October. It is a breathtaking display of marine life in harmony.
On a windy day, you are almost certain to spot the majestic, White-bellied sea eagle gliding gracefully over the precinct.
During the warmer months, you might spot a dingo frolicking along the water’s edge as the day comes to an end.
