LONG BEACH and nearby Maloneys Beach have long been a popular destination for holidaymakers. Both Maloneys and Long Beach offer unspoilt beaches that are calm and serene and give recreational fishers access to the abundant Clyde River or easy access to the rock ledges of the nearby bays.
Long Beach has no shops nor services however nearby Maloneys Beach has a cafe and cellars that also provides local tourism information.
Some History
Cullendulla Creek is particularly important historically, as it contains evidence of pre and post contact Aboriginal cultural associations. The actual name of the place is of Aboriginal origin; ‘Cullendulla’ is the Dhurga word for the Creek, now known as Cullendulla Creek.
Cullendulla Creek is classified as a tidal flat, tidal creek extending south from Ironbark Range within Benandarah State Forest and flows into Batemans Bay between the townships of Surfside and Long Beach, gaining shelter from Square Head.
The Cullendulla Creek catchment covers an area of approximately 16.7 square kilometres; a number of minor unnamed creeks feed into the Cullendulla Creek tributary, which itself is subject to tidal influences for up to 3 kilometres upstream. The immediately surrounding ecosystem is diverse, ranging from open woodlands in the upper catchment area, to mangrove and tidal flats towards the ocean.
The Creek lies amidst by a number of environmental zones including rock platforms, beach and beach ridges, wetlands and forested areas. Each of these zones contain archaeological evidence of pre contact land usage including shellfish collection and consumption on rock platforms, stone tool artefact production and camping in forested and ridgeline areas. It has also been estimated that there is high potential for Aboriginal burial sites to exist within the sandy beach ridgelines in the Cullendulla area that includes Long Beach. A number of these sites have been dated. Although one midden site was dated to be about 820 years old, it is estimated that Aboriginal occupation of the area dates back 6,000 years
The mouth of Cullendulla Creek was reported to have been a place where Aboriginal people gathered annually to feast on mussels, mud oysters and shellfish
Long Beach sweeps in a wide arch of sand that runs Square Head to Chain Bay with a small headland that divides Long Beach from Maloneys Beach and is well worthy of beach walks and exploring. There are two walks on nearby National Parks owned Square Head. Both with their own unique attributes and sights. There are picnic facilities available so take the family and a feed and explore.
Square Head track 1
Leading to the entrance of Cullendulla Creek, this terrific short walk touches swamp oak and spotted gum forest before revealing a peaceful beach and rest spot in sight of Cullendulla Beach and the Batemans Bay township.
Expect a moderate-to-steep gradient, but it’s worth it.
Pack a picnic lunch and bring the kids along, or bring a birding guide and watch white ibises and black swans drift across the creek. In the warmer months, this is an ideal place for a swim, too; the small estuary beach is protected from onshore winds by Square Head, and the bay, though unpatrolled, is calm enough for swimming. If you fancy a round of fishing, turn left at the carpark and follow the other Square Head track instead.
This short walk through burrawangs and spotted gums, populated with birds, offers one of the best scenic views in the whole reserve and a hidden fishing spot.
Looking for a great place to survey Batemans Bay and the nearby islands? This charming walk through fragrant spotted gum forest follows a vehicle management trail, with plenty of honeyeaters, little lorikeets, and echidnas foraging around the burrawangs below.
After a short hike, you reach the scenic Square Head, where generous views out to sea encompass Batemans Bay, Long Beach, Snapper Island, and the two Tollgate islands. Keep the camera handy – you might even spot a pair of endangered gang-gang cockatoos perched in the bush.
The nearby estuary beach offers a terrific picnic spot. If you enjoy fishing, an informal access track to the water below is popular with rock fishermen from the local area.