Haycock Point is the southern headland of Merimbula Bay, part of the northern section of Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd). Offshore, Haystack Rock – named for the smaller rock beside it that looks like a huge haystack – is the reef that wrecked the SS Empire Gladstone in 1950. McFadyen describes a bommie off Haystack Rock as a vertical pillar that comes almost to the surface beside the bow wreckage of the Empire Gladstone.

The reef consists of boulders and rock with kelp and crayweed, sponges and sea squirts in the shade, and sand patches. The bommie and the wreckage attract fish: blue groper, blackfish, yellowtail and silver sweep in the crevices and schools of bream and leatherjackets. Wobbegongs and Port Jackson sharks shelter under ledges, and rays are common on the sand. The headland is often visited by seals and dolphins, and whales pass close in spring.

The site suits Open Water divers in calm weather, usually as part of a dive on the Empire Gladstone. Detailed description of the reef apart from the wreck is limited, and depths here are indicative. The headland is worth visiting by land too, with walking tracks and views across Merimbula Bay. The Beowa National Park shoreline has no marine park zoning, but take nothing from the wreck, which is a protected historic site. Dolphins often ride the bow of dive boats crossing the bay.

Boat access is the practical approach: from Merimbula, 20 minutes across the bay (see Empire Gladstone). By road, Haycock Point is reached from the Princes Highway south of Pambula via Haycock Road into the northern section of Beowa (formerly Ben Boyd) National Park, where there is a car park, picnic area and walking track onto the headland. Shore entry from the rock platform is only for experienced divers on flat days.

Haycock Point is the exposed outer headland of Merimbula Bay, open to swell from north-east through south. The Haystack Rock bommie comes almost to the surface and breaks in swell. Dive only in calm conditions with swell under about 1 m, preferably in westerly weather.

Visibility falls after rain from Pambula River and Merimbula Lake.

From an anchor near the wreck, explore the Haystack Rock bommie, a vertical pillar almost to the surface, and the surrounding reef at 6–15 m, then drift onto the wreck or back to the anchor.

Merimbula Divers Lodge dives here as part of Empire Gladstone trips; the reef around Haystack Rock is often explored after the wreck. No separate scheduled trips.