Sugarloaf Rock

Sugarloaf Rock is a granite island rising from the Indian Ocean near Cape Naturaliste with a distinctive conical shape. The formation sits surrounded by coastal cliffs within the national park boundaries, creating a prominent landmark visible from the shore.

A limestone road was built in the 1930s to make the formation accessible, replacing the need for visitors to scramble through dense vegetation. This infrastructure enabled wider public access to the coastal area and shaped visitor patterns over the decades.

The formation holds status as a nature reserve, providing nesting grounds for red-tailed tropicbirds between September and February each year.

A wooden walkway connects the parking area to an observation deck overlooking the rock and coastal waters. The path is easy to navigate and well-maintained, suitable for visitors of varying abilities wanting a short outing.

The granite composition differs from other coastal rock formations in the area, creating striking light effects during sunrise and sunset hours. Photographers return for these moments to capture the vivid color contrasts and shadows playing across the stone surface.