Caves Beach
Best Beach · NSW
Tourism Australia's Best Beach 2025, No. 9.
Beach caves, rock pools and more to explore.
The great thing about exploring Australia’s coast is digging up some real treasures in the most unexpected of places. A local’s secret, Caves Beach in Lake Macquarie is known for its intricate network of sculpted sea caves spread along its southern end – truly wondrous to safely explore on a low tide. Around 90 mins north of Sydney, the area is rich in brilliant beaches from historic Catherine Hill Bay and Ghosties and north toward a continuous swell of surfing beaches including a Best Beaches awardwinner in 2022, Dudley Beach. Caves Beach is patrolled during season by its local Surf Lifesaving Club and also features a handful of learn-to-surf operators. There are rockpools to explore outside the caves where you can spot periwinkle shells, waving sea grass and crabs. The beach is also insta-famous for stunning sunrise shots snapped from inside the sea caves. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the coastal walking track from the headland above Caves Beach south along the coast all the way to Pinny Beach in Wallarah National Park. Also see the caves from a new perspective with an ocean adventure cruise through CoastXP, which visits Caves Beach, Catherine Hill Bay and departs from nearby Swansea, which features a dog friendly café nearby along with an upmarket restaurant featuring epic views. Beach facilities include barbecues, picnic tables, showers, kiosk, parking with accessible spaces and a wheelchair accessible amenities block. To the north of Caves Beach is Swansea Heads and Hams Beach, named after a family living on a hill behind the Surf Lifesaving Club. The rocky section of Hams is dubbed Frenchies Beach by the locals. It is highly popular for spearfishing, with the premier target species being the elusive red morwong. The traditional custodians of the land are the Awabakal people.
⚠️ Ocean conditions can change quickly and rips can form even on calm days. Only swim at patrolled beaches, and supervise children at all times.