Collaroy: Beach, Rockpool and Coastal Cliffs
Accommodation in Collaroy
Collaroy’s coastline has several sides to it: Collaroy Beach offers good swimming conditions and is well suited to beginner surfers. At the southern end of the beach is Collaroy Rockpool, and from Griffith Park and the adjacent Long Reef Headland you can see distinctive red shale cliffs. A loop walk in nearby Long Reef Reserve offers another perspective on the area. The town’s history is also reflected in the name Collaroy.
Beach and water
Collaroy Beach is well suited to windsurfing in northeasterly or southeasterly winds. Specifying these wind directions gives windsurfing a concrete context; swimming and surfing conditions can also vary locally. If you’re planning one of these activities, it’s worth keeping an eye on conditions during your visit.
Collaroy Rockpool is a seawater rock pool at the southern end of Collaroy Beach. Facilities include an eight-lane, 50-metre pool, a toddlers’ pool, toilets and showers. The rock pool offers easy access for people with disabilities. As facilities may change and pool access may vary during maintenance work, it’s a good idea to check before visiting.
Red shale cliffs and walking trails
230-million-year-old red shale cliffs can be seen from Griffith Park and the adjacent Long Reef Headland. They’re commonly known locally as “chocolate shales.” Alongside the beach and water, the cliffs provide a geological point of interest in the coastal landscape: their age and common name make them a distinctive feature of the area.
A three-kilometre loop walk in nearby Long Reef Reserve follows paved paths, gentle hills, boardwalks and occasional steps. It’s of moderate difficulty; the easiest access point is on Anzac Avenue in Collaroy. The distance describes the length of the loop, while its difficulty level and path conditions offer additional guidance for planning.
The renewal of the coastal path at Griffith Park is also part of the infrastructure of this coastal landscape: around 110 metres of boardwalk and bridge were replaced and realigned, and a 20-metre beach access ramp was renewed. The work at Griffith Park therefore covered both the coastal path and beach access.
Protected coastline and local history
The Long Reef Aquatic Reserve stretches from Collaroy’s rock pools to the Long Reef Surf Lifesaving Club. Seaward, it extends 100 metres from the mean high-water mark to the mean low-water mark. It was established in 1980 as the first reserve of its kind, to protect marine invertebrates on the rock platforms, as well as plants and animals underwater. In addition to beach activities, Collaroy’s coastal area includes rock platforms with marine invertebrates and an underwater world of plants and animals.
Collaroy and its beach were named after the dramatic grounding of a paddle steamer there in 1881. The place name thus preserves a specific local story, adding a historical point of interest to the area’s geological and scenic features.
Find accommodation to suit your plans
When choosing accommodation in Collaroy, you might first consider what you’d like your stay to focus on: the beach and watersports, the rock pool, the red shale cliffs, or a walk in nearby Long Reef Reserve. These options offer different ways to spend your time without prescribing a set itinerary. Tailor your search to the activities you’d like to plan, and compare individual options based on their location and your own travel plans.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Mount Colah, Deepwater, Yenda, Mumbil, Neath, Mystery Bay, Temora, Berridale
For the main travel overview: New South Wales.
