Seal Rocks, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seal RocksNew South Wales |
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Seal Rocks beach
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 Seal Rocks
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 56 (2021) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2423 | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) | ||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Mid-Coast Council | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Mid North Coast | ||||||||||||||
| County | Gloucester | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Forster | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Myall Lakes | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Lyne | ||||||||||||||
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Seal Rocks is a small, quiet coastal town in New South Wales, Australia. It is about 275 kilometers (171 miles) north-east of Sydney. This beautiful spot is famous for its amazing surfing beaches, like Lighthouse Beach and Treachery. It is also home to the historic Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse. In 2021, only 56 people lived here, making it a very peaceful place.
Contents
History of Seal Rocks
Before Europeans arrived, the Worimi Aboriginal people lived in the area we now call Seal Rocks. They were the traditional owners of this land.
Shipwrecks and the Lighthouse
The waters around Seal Rocks can be dangerous. On June 2, 1864, a ship called the Rainbow was wrecked here. To help ships stay safe, the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse was built. It first shone its light on December 1, 1875.
In 1895, another ship, the SS Catterthun, sank near the rocks while heading to China from Sydney. Many people lost their lives in this sad event.
The lighthouse has been updated over the years. In 1923, it changed from using kerosene to acetylene gas. Then, in June 1966, it was powered by electricity. By 1987, the lighthouse became automated, meaning it no longer needed people to live there and operate it.
In 1945, a former Dutch submarine, HMAS_K9, was lost near the lighthouse. It was found again in 1999 and is now a protected heritage site.
Special Places in Seal Rocks
Seal Rocks has some places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites.
- Seal Rocks Road, Myall Lakes National Park: Sugarloaf Point Light
Keeping Seal Rocks Natural
Seal Rocks is well known because its community has worked hard to keep it natural. They do not want it to become too commercial, meaning they don't want lots of big businesses or tourist developments.
When you drive into town, you might see the words "Save Seal Rocks The Last Frontier" painted on the road. People have been repainting this message for over 30 years! It shows how much the locals want to protect their small fishing village.
Recently, there have been discussions about developing the local caravan park. Once again, people in the community are working together to protect their town's quiet charm.
A movie called Adore was filmed in Seal Rocks in 2013.
Seal Colony History
Seal Rocks got its name from the Australian fur seals that used to be seen on the rocks near the lighthouse. There is even some proof that a group of seals once lived and had their babies here. Sadly, seals no longer breed in New South Wales, and this colony was lost. However, recently, more seals have been spotted in the Port Stephens area, which is good news!
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
The Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse was finished in 1875. It took ten years to build after people first suggested a light was needed to warn ships about the dangerous Seal Rocks. They first wanted to put the light right on Seal Rocks, but it was too hard to land building materials there.
The lighthouse tower is made of brick and painted white. Three cottages for the lighthouse keepers were also built next to it. Workers also built a road from Bungwahl and a 460-meter (1,509-foot) long jetty. This jetty was used to bring in about 1,829 tonnes (2,016 short tons) of building supplies.
The light was improved in 1923 when it switched from kerosene to acetylene gas. Electricity was added in 1966. Even after the lighthouse became automated in 1987, people continued to staff it for many years.
The Sugarloaf lighthouse is the second-most easterly lighthouse in Australia. Only the Byron Bay lighthouse is further east. You can even stay in the three cottages at the lighthouse, which is a unique experience!
