Welcome to Catho, one of the most historic and scenic rural towns of Lake Macquarie. But also, welcome to this very decent lookout. that views over into the ocean, Catho beach, caves and its famous Ship Jetty.
The settlement was first made after land was purchased on 1 April 1865. The town of Cowper was created, to serve as a base for coal mining by the New Wallsend Company in 1873 with the first shipment on 17 December of that year. The name Catherine Hill was adopted to commemorate the schooner Catherine Hill that had run aground in 1867.
Later, the Wallarah Coal Company mined and shipped coal from the area including its nearby Crangan Bay mine. This was taken over by the Coal and Allied Group.
A railway originally was used to transport the coal to the wharf; later, trucks and automated loading belt systems were used.
Rutile was mined from the beach sands during the 1960s.