Seacliff Bridge walking tour

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'For weeks the rain scarce relented. The whole front of the mountain slipped seaward from above, avalanches of clay, rock, and uprooted forest spewed over the cliffs and fell upon the beach or in the breakers'.  RL Stevenson, The Wrecker.

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'Then the train came out on the sea, lovely bays with sand and grass and trees, sloping up towards the sudden hills that were like a wall'.   D.H. Lawrence, Kangaroo.

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Duration

1 hour approximate

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About

This Seacliff Bridge public tour is for a small group maximum of 8 people. Children under 8yrs are free. This is a pet-friendly tour.

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This 60-minute 3km return guided walk showcases the delights of the 685m Seacliff Bridge wedged between the ocean and imposing cliffs. Seacliff Bridge is one of only seven over-ocean bridges in the world and the only one of its type in Australia.

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Commencing at Leader Park on Patterson Avenue, Coalcliff we walk north to south across Seacliff Bridge. Learn about the geology that made the old road so perilous, the importance of coal to the local mining communities and the engineering challenges of the new bridge (bridges actually!).

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On our return, we have spectacular coastal views of the Royal National Park. A bonus from May to September is the chance to see migrating whales from our high vantage point!

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Highlights of the tour include-​

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• The history of the jetty mine and local mining communities.

• The story of the old road, numerous landslides, and rock falls from the 1870s to today.

• The engineering challenge of designing and constructing a new bridge.

• Spectacular Pacific Ocean and Illawarra coastal views.

• A chance to see migrating whales during May-September and November along with sea eagles and dolphins.

• The influence of the landscape on the writings of Robert Louis Stevenson in The Wrecker and D.H. Lawrence in Kangaroo.

 

The walk is approximately 3 km return and 60 minutes in duration. It is easily accessible for all along a fully fenced shared public footpath.

 

What to bring

• Please bring water, a hat, comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothes. 

 

Meeting point

The walk commences and concludes at Leeder Park on Paterson Road, Coalcliff. Leeder Park is easily accessible from the nearby public car park on Bombora Way, Coalcliff. This is at the northern end of the bridge.

 

There is limited parking during park periods on Paterson Avenue. If using public transport Coalcliff Railway Station is a 10-minute downhill walk with a short steep uphill return. Leeder Park has water and toilets. 

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Please be sure to look for your friendly guide holding a folder with the Pacific Edge Guides logo.

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