{"ok":true,"data":{"id":292,"slug":"grassy-head-beach-stuarts-point","name":"Grassy Head Beach","country":"Australia","state":"New South Wales","city":"Stuarts Point","coords":{"lat":-30.9958,"lng":153.0415},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic","surf","hidden"],"article":{"hero":"The gravel turnoff from the Pacific Highway gives no hint of what lies three kilometres east: a beach where the headland's grassy crown rises abruptly from golden sand, casting afternoon shadows across tide pools pocked with anemones and turban shells. You'll park under she-oaks that whisper with every gust, then walk barefoot across sand still cool beneath the surface, even at noon.\n\nThe break here runs consistent—southeast swells wrap around the northern headland, peeling left across a sand-bottom that shifts with each king tide. Local boardriders check it at dawn, when the gloss is still on the water and the only footprints belong to pied oystercatchers working the wrack line. By midmorning the nor'easter builds, onshore but rideable, and families spread picnic blankets near the dunes.\n\nGrassy Head rewards the unhurried. Scramble the southern rock shelf at low tide and you'll find blennies darting through shallow gutters, cunjevoi clinging to basalt, and if you're quiet, the occasional blue groper nosing through kelp. The headland track climbs through coastal heath—waratahs in spring, banksias dripping with honey all winter—to a lookout where migrating humpbacks breach close enough that you hear the exhalation before the splash.","teaser":"You'll smell the salt and eucalyptus before you see the sand—Grassy Head unfolds below wind-sculpted tea-tree, a sweep of amber beach bookended by volcanic rock platforms. The water runs cold even in January, and the offshore wind holds the wave faces steep and clean.","uniqueAngle":"A rare Mid North Coast headland where volcanic geology, consistent surf, and undeveloped hinterland converge within minutes of the highway.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"surf","title":"Ride the Left","subtitle":"Southeast swells peel clean here"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Headland Loop","subtitle":"Banksia heath to whale lookout"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Rock Platform Dawn","subtitle":"Low tide reveals tidal architecture"},{"icon":"swim","title":"Northern End Dip","subtitle":"Sheltered corner, cooler Pacific water"}],"audience":{"surfer":"The left-hander off the northern rocks handles three- to five-foot southeast groundswell without crowding—you'll often share the lineup with just two or three locals who know the inside reform on the push tide. Best on the incoming, two hours either side of high, when the sandbar builds a shoulder that holds shape through six-second intervals. Bring warm wax; this water doesn't crack 21°C even in February. Respect the tight take-off zone and the regulars who've been riding it for decades.","couples":"Claim the southern end near the rock shelf an hour before sunset, when the headland glows burnt orange and the offshore breeze dies to nothing. The Stuarts Point Tavern, ten minutes back toward the highway, serves local prawns and cold Coopers on a timber deck overlooking the Macleay River—order the garlic bugs and share. For overnights, the caravan park offers unpowered sites under casuarinas, or book a weatherboard cottage at nearby Grassy Head Holiday Park where kookaburras wake you and the sand is a two-minute barefoot walk.","backpacker":"Pitch an unpowered tent site at Grassy Head Beach Holiday Park for under twenty dollars—ablution blocks are clean, and you're fifty metres from the shore. The beach has zero entry fees and the rockpools entertain for hours at no cost. Drive into Stuarts Point village for meat pies at the general store (four dollars, still warm at 11 a.m.) or grab discounted bakery bread and Devon at the Kempsey Woolworths on your way in. Hitch or carpool from the Pacific Highway turnoff if you're without wheels.","local":"Hit the beach midweek before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when the holiday park empties and you'll have the shore to yourself, save for the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins that work the northern gutter most afternoons. The rock platform on the southern headland hides a narrow channel at half-tide where bream and flathead hold—locals bring hand lines and a bucket. In winter, skip the main carpark and use the second access track for shorter walks and better wind protection.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Grassy Head Beach is generally suitable for swimming, though conditions vary with weather and swell. The beach is unpatrolled, so swimmers should exercise caution and stay within their abilities. The southern end near the headland typically offers calmer conditions, while the northern stretch can experience stronger currents and surf. Always check local conditions before entering the water, avoid swimming alone, and be particularly careful during high tide or after storms. The beach is popular with surfers, so be aware of board riders in the water.","q":"Is Grassy Head Beach safe for swimming?"},{"a":"Grassy Head Beach is enjoyable year-round, with each season offering different appeals. Summer (December-February) brings warm weather ideal for swimming and water activities, though it's busier. Autumn and spring offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and excellent conditions for walking and surfing. Winter (June-August) sees cooler weather but can provide spectacular whale-watching opportunities and dramatic coastal scenery. The beach faces east, making it perfect for sunrise viewing any time of year. Generally, weekdays are quieter than weekends regardless of season.","q":"What is the best time to visit Grassy Head Beach?"},{"a":"Grassy Head Beach is located approximately 8 kilometres north of Stuarts Point. From the Pacific Highway, take the Stuarts Point exit and follow signposted roads through Grassy Head village. The main access is via Grassy Head Road, which leads to a parking area near the beach. Parking is free and generally adequate, though spaces can fill during peak holiday periods and summer weekends. The beach access involves a short walk from the car park. The roads are sealed and suitable for conventional vehicles.","q":"How do you get to Grassy Head Beach and where can you park?"},{"a":"Grassy Head village is small and has limited facilities. Basic supplies and takeaway food can be found at the general store, but for broader shopping and dining options, nearby Stuarts Point (8km south) or Macksville (20km) offer more choices. Accommodation options include holiday houses, camping at local caravan parks, and rental properties, though booking ahead is essential during school holidays. The beach itself has no kiosks or facilities, so bring your own food, water, and supplies for the day.","q":"Are there restaurants, shops, or accommodation near Grassy Head Beach?"},{"a":"The Grassy Head headland walk offers spectacular elevated coastal views and is one of the area's highlights. The walking track leads to the rocky headland providing panoramic ocean vistas, opportunities to spot dolphins and migrating whales (June-November), and dramatic scenery of the coastline. The walk is relatively easy and suitable for most fitness levels. The headland's unique vantage point makes it popular for photography, particularly at sunrise and sunset. The combination of beach access and headland walking in one location makes Grassy Head particularly appealing to visitors.","q":"What makes the Grassy Head headland walk special?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Grassy Head Beach: Stuarts Point's Surf and Headland Escape","description":"Wild surf meets coastal Norfolk pines at this north coast hideaway. Grassy Head Beach delivers glassy waves, whale-watching headlands, and golden sand coves few know exist.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145054_89df6d07fd_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"489040","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145054_89df6d07fd_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145054_89df6d07fd.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay on Eyre Peninsula. Seaweed on the beach with the sand hills beyond."},{"id":"489041","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972261310_4c16895bd4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972261310_4c16895bd4.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay Eyre Peninsula. Southern Right whale mother swimming near the sand hills."},{"id":"489042","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145064_30ff86cd67_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145064_30ff86cd67.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay jetty and sand hills. In the foreground a mother Southern Right Whale. They used the bay as a birthing area from June to September."},{"id":"489043","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162354051_8db18a8a17_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162354051_8db18a8a17.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay. The massive sand dune which is slowly encroaching onto the town."},{"id":"489044","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162562474_1a99feb647_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162562474_1a99feb647.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay. The Harbour Masters residence was buill arund 1890 when the town was re-surveyed. Mervyn  Warmington was the last Harbour Master in 1966."},{"id":"489045","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162787580_dea523db37_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162787580_dea523db37.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay Eyre Peninsula. This stone police station was built in 1883. In 1912 a Courtroom was added on the side street with the three large windows. It is now a private residence. ."},{"id":"489046","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53161765227_5d1a6c2102_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53161765227_5d1a6c2102.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay. The Far West Coast of South Australia. The memorial cairn to Captain Matthew Flinders who surveyed the bay in 1802.  Erected 1948."},{"id":"489047","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162562644_53f26340e4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162562644_53f26340e4.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay. The memorial to Edward John Eyre and his party who camped here before they attempted to cross the Nullarbor Plain in 1841."},{"id":"489048","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162787425_6ba0bfabfa_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53162787425_6ba0bfabfa.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay Eyre Peninsula. Information board about the school at Fowlers Bay from 1893 to 1959."},{"id":"489049","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145179_aceb583d86_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53972145179_aceb583d86.jpg","alt":"Fowlers Bay on the Far West Coast of Eyre Peninsula. . Map of the bay and town."},{"id":"489050","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4160/34430188451_2f10fe2007_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4160/34430188451_2f10fe2007.jpg","alt":"lepe dolphins 19/52"}]}}