Mention the Gold Coast and images of the glitz and glamour of the Glitter Strips towering high rises and shopping precincts spring to mind. Almost another world away, and at least another state away, is Fingal!
Tucked on the NSW side of the Qld/NSW border,
Fingal Head and Fingal Beach is a sleepy backwater brimming with natural beauty and charm. For those who don't mind forsaking the luxuries of the towers, Fingal Caravan Park provides a clean facility from its perch beside the beach and is well within anyone's budget.
Cook Island at dawn
As the Tugun Bypass provides easy access to the theme parks and shops at the northern end of the coast, there is no need to miss out on that. But for us at least, the true beauty of the coast is the (relatively) un-spoilt beaches of Northern NSW. And if you feel the need to venture from Fingal, the beaches from Hastings Point and Byron, where birdlife abounds, are within easy reach.
Sitting on the headland, either in the predawn or the last light, facing into the breeze with the sound of the waves rolling in against the rock columns, it is hard not to be entranced by power and beauty!
And for those who are afflicted with the photography bug, the lighthouse, the basalt columns and the beach all provide endless opportunities at various times of the day.
Star trails over the lighthouse
Our only complaint from our recent weekend away – offshore winds forced the cancellation of our planned whale watching cruise… guess we will just have to go back!
Oh and there are plenty of restaurants and some of the best fish and chip shops.
