Burwood Beach (which is also known as Glenrock Beach) extends from the Merewether rocks at the northern end, to Little Redhead Point at the southern end. Behind the beach are two valleys separated by a steep spur; the northern-most valley (Murdering Gully) contains the Burwood Beach Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). The facility treats sewage from approximately 190,000 people from Newcastle and parts of Lake Macquarie, with the treated sewage discharged at the northern end of the beach. Despite the presence of this sewage plant, the water quality is generally good except after heavy rain – although the beach does have multiple strong rips.
The beach has low cliffs at the southern end near Glenrock Lagoon which provide some shade, although the surf can be rough here.
The 1.3km long beach has multiple access points, with all of them requiring a bit of a walk:
- From Merewether Beach across the rocks (low tide only) – 200m
- Hickson Street walking track – 600m
- Baileys Firetrail from Scenic Drive – 2km
- Yuelarbah Walking Track from Burwood Road – 2.2km
Glenrock/Burwood Beach from Hickson St
The short Hickson Street walking track starts near a water tower (which is due to be demolished) on Hickson St. The first couple of hundred metres is very level, with the track leading to the Merewether Gliding Pad – a small clearing used by hang gliders to take off. There are panoramic views from here as you suddently emerge from the forest, and it’s a popular spot for families and picnickers when when the gliding pad is not in use.
The track descends steeply from here towards Glenrock/Burwood Beach. Most of the track is metal boardwalk and steps, with a few short sections on exposed rock.
The track reaches Glenrock/Burwood Beach at the northern end, next to an information board that provides some information on walks and attraction of the Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Yuelarbah Walking Track
The Yuelarbah Walking Track descends from the carpark on Burwood Road to Burwood Beach, passing a lookout over Glenrock Lagoon and a couple of waterfalls along Flaggy Creek. It reaches the beach just net to the lagoon.
Glenrock Lagoon
The Glenrock lagoon occupies the southern valley behind Glenrock/Burwood Beach, with the Glenrock Scout Camp located on the southern side of the lagoon.
The lagoon is fed by Flaggy Creek (which is within the Glenrock State Recreation Area and Awabakal Nature Reserve) and is quite quite shallow , with an average depth of 2.4m. A tidal channel connects Glenrock Lagoon with the Tasman Sea.
Access to the lagoon is easiest at the “ocean end” where it’s sandy; at the inland end (which is part of the Glenrock Scout Camp) there are oysters and sharp rocks beneath the surface.
More information
- Hunter beaches – Daily pollution forecast
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