Between Gap Beach and Smoky Cape are four small isolated beaches (NSW 140-143) each located in a gap in the steep rocky shore. They are only accessible on foot and are located in the northernmost section of Hat Head National Park. All are exposed to high waves and are dominated by rocks and permanent rips. The first, Cobble Beach (NSW 140), is a little 40 m beach bordered by rocks, which supports an energetic sand-cobble beach and wide surf, with a rip always against one of the headlands and rocks in the surf. It can only be reached on foot from Gap Beach or The Ledge 4WD track.
Immediately north of Smoky Cape Lighthouse are the three North Smoky beaches all backed by steep vegetated slopes. They can be viewed and accessed on foot from the 100 m high lighthouse car park. The first (NSW 141) is located just south of The Ledge headland. It is 50 m long, backed by a boulder beach with sand only exposed at low tide. The next (NSW 142) is 150 m long and has two small creeks and lagoons dominating the rear of the beach, with a rip-dominated surf zone. The southernmost (NSW 143), also known as Dead Cow, is 350 m long and the real North Smoky Beach. It lies at the base of the steep track down from the car park. It usually has two permanent rips against the rocks at each end and a central beach rip.
Beach Length: 0.1km
General Hazard Rating:
7/10
Patrols
There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach. Please take the time to browse the Surf Safety section of this website to learn more about staying safe when swimming at Australian beaches.
Click here to visit general surf education information.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.