Gold Coast Day Trips: Fingal Head, NSW

This week, my family set off for a short drive to Fingal Head, NSW.

It's described as a sleepy coastal town, with a lighthouse, but the key attraction was beyond the lighthouse.

So it takes about 30-40 minutes from the Gold Coast, depending on where you are. Stop at the carpark and there is a trail that leads you all the way to the lighthouse.

The lighthouse was erected in 1872 and had a fixed white light, the original kerosene wick burner was converted in 1920 to automatic acetylene operation, and no longer required a lighthouse keeper. In 1980, it was converted to electricity and remains the same today.

This is what it looks like in Ireland.


 Notice the basalt headland? It looks like something mystical. Legend has it that a giant built it as a causeway to prepare for a battle with another giant. But things didn't go according to plan and he the causeway was partially destroyed. Well, I don't believe in the legend, but isn't God's creation beautiful? Even destruction caused by a violent volcano can create something as beautiful as this!

This basalt headland was formed when a nearby volcano (Mt Warning) erupted lava formed vertical columns because of rapid cooling when it reached the ocean. Most of the columns are 6 sided.

This is what I was expecting. 

This is what I got. 

Not bad hey? Opposite is Cook Island!

We also did a bit of "house shopping". 

I fell in love with this house, it was magnificent. But a brief look online later revealed that I won't be able to afford this in a thousand years.

But I might end up having to knock on this caravan's door to see if I can just rent it out for the night, with a view like this, who cares!

 

 We also stopped at Kingscliff for lunch. 

 

   

Loved this little place, and the real treat were the oysters and beer battered fries!  

   

HOW TO GET THERE

If you are heading south on the Pacific Highway, you should see this. 

Set the GPS to: Fingal Lighthouse Track
You have reached the right carpark if you can see this:

 

You will walk along a combination of sand, dirt and wooden planked walkways, not recommended for wheel chair access. 

 

 

 

At the end of the track, you can see the lighthouse on your right, and if you turn left- head towards surfers paradise, you will see the basalt headland.

 

Watch you step, there are NO barriers, and you can easily slide down! So parents, please keep hold of kids.

 

This trip proves one thing, breaks don't have to be overseas for them to be fantastic.