Bulgo Beach

Bulgo Beach is a sand beach around 350 meters long in Helensburgh, surrounded by steep rock cliffs and facing the Pacific Ocean. The golden sand sits along the New South Wales coast, creating a secluded cove.

Coal miners from Helensburgh built the first fishing shacks on this beach during the 1930s, establishing a small coastal settlement. The shacks developed as the miners sought places to catch and store fish during their leisure time.

The beach holds 53 heritage-listed fishing shacks, one of the largest remaining collections of recreational coastal cabins in New South Wales. These small structures show how people have used this stretch of coast over many decades.

Reaching the beach requires a 20-minute steep walk down from Otford Lookout, and there is no parking directly at the sand. Plan ahead because there are no lifeguards, and the descent is challenging, so bring water and wear good shoes.

A tidal rock pool built in 1930 at the southern end provides a sheltered swimming spot at low tide and originally stored fish. This historic pool is a rare feature that shows how people organized their beach days many decades ago.

Location: New South Wales

Elevation above the sea: 15 m

Website: https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/nsw/wollongong/otford/bulgo

GPS coordinates: -34.21603,151.01073

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:26