Lennox Head, New South Wales

In local Indigenous Bundjalung mythology, Flat Rock was created by the Dirawong a Goanna spirit. The Goanna and the Rainbow Snake had a fierce battle. The Goanna after giving birth left her eggs at Boulder Beach seemingly out of harms way, the Rainbow Snake however found the eggs and decided to wait for the Goanna to return. The Goanna was nevertheless exhausted after giving birth and fighting the Rainbow Snake that she lay down on the beach. The tide came in and she drowned hence creating Flat Rock. It is said the Rainbow Snake still waits for the Goanna to return and that fishermen are often tossed from their boats by a 'freak wave' caused by the Rainbow Snake at Boulder Beach. 

Using our 'Byron Trails' book we decided to jog the track from the Pat Morton Lookout (a great place to watch surfers tackle the notorious break) down to Flat Rock, about 5kms one way. The track traverses grassy headlands along the cliff edge and negotiates pebbly rocks at Boulder Beach before smoothing out onto a paved path that we were told had only recently been completed, much to the praise of locals. It was at times challenging yet stunning to be bathed in glorious sunshine jogging a gorgeous coastline. Shovel smashed the jog finishing it off bounding up the final ascent, back to the lookout, but I decided to end my jog there and slowly walk up the remaining section admiring the views.  

It is said the 'right-hand point-break' at Lennox Head is one of Australia's 'most famous' waves with the 7 kilometre beach being declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2008. A National Surfing Reserve (NSR) is an "iconic place of intrinsic environmental, heritage, sporting and cultural value to a nation."  To be demeaned a NSR site the quality and consistency of waves, the sacredness of a site to the surfing community and the environmental management plan are all assessed. At the time of writing there are currently 19 NSR sites around Australia. After our jog Shovel and I with boogie board in hand headed straight for this famous surf. The waves still receding from high tide were ferocious to say the least, living up to the reputation, but we persevered for a few hours and managed to ride a few pearlers back into shore. 

Shovel swimming at Lake Ainsworth

Tea Tree Oil Colours and Medicinally enhances Lake Ainsworth

After our adventurous day of jogging and boogie boarding the best way to relax and refresh was at Lake Ainsworth or better known by locals as 'The Tea Tree Lake.' We came across a similar lake at Rainbow Beach called Poona Lake, but this one located just behind the beach at Lennox Head was less mirky and ideal for swimming.