WALKS in the Eurobodalla
Bush walks and coastal walks are one of the true pleasures that the Eurobodalla Nature Coast offers.
While there are 83 beaches to pick for a highly rewarding stroll and endless fire trails to experience the forests there are some more regulated walks that showcase the unique geology, flora and fauna of the area.
Below are some of some of the many walks within the shire – divided into degrees of difficulty:
Easy Walks:
Wasp Head walk. Murramarang National Park. Distance 2km return Time suggested 30min – 1hr 30min
This short, scenic walk in Murramarang National Park, south of Durras Lake, is a delightful easy walk taking in coastal views and golden beaches in this spectacular part of the coast, north of Bateman’s Bay. Walking north from Wasp Head picnic area takes you through a casuarina forest and opens up to a fantastic view of Wasp Island.
Heading south along the path you’ll reach Emily Miller Head where you can gaze down to a dramatic rocky cove of Wobbegong Bay. Another off shoot of the path leads down to the beach where you may discover an alluring sea cave, depending on the tide levels. This whole area is renowned for its rich Aboriginal heritage; keep an eye out for evidence of shell middens along the way. More Information from National Parks HERE
Dark Beach walking track in Murramarang National Park is only a distance of 0.5km return with a suggested time of
15 – 30min. The walk leads to a secluded beach with unique rock formations in Murramarang National Park. Ideal for fishing, swimming and snorkelling. More information from National Parks HERE
Myrtle Beach walking track in Murramarang National Park is pretty special to most locals. Get away from it all and escape to this beautiful, isolated beach for the day. Surround yourself with natural bushland and revel in the sounds of birdsong on Myrtle Beach walking track. The walk takes you through what the locals call the ‘enchanted forest’, an incredible display of stunted spotted gum forest that have been warped and twisted by the salt air and coastal winds.
The beach is isolated and is often used by locals who prefer to not wear togs so just be aware and try not to stare.
More information from National Parks HERE
Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve, Surfside (Length: 2 km loop Time: 50 minutes) is an easy walk offering great birdwatching opportunities. The Mangrove walk is partly along an elevated boardwalk, giving an insight into the unusual dune formations. The Cullendulla beach walk is also a must along a secluded stretch of sand. Cullendulla Beach offers terrific swimming, birding and a great place to launch a canoe up the creek. More information from National Parks HERE
Square Head walk, Long Beach
Two walks in the Square Head are available. Both with their own unique attributes and sights. There are picnic facilities available so take the family and a feed and explore. More information from National Parks HERE
Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens (5kms Sth of Batemans Bay) Over eight kilometres of tracks have been developed within the Gardens, giving access to the natural and man made features of the site. A walk booklet and map is available from the Gardens Visitors Centre. Length:6 tracks from 500m to 2km, 6 km in total Time: from 20 minutes to 2 hours
You can find all the details of the walks HERE.
Mogo Bushwalk in the Mogo State Forest. This 1.6km easy grade walk showcases the eucalyptus forest of the area to those not familiar with large stands of spotted gums and an infill of burrawang cycads on a forest floor. A visitor carpark is available at the start of the walk. The track is a well-defined path. Mogo Walking Track starts near the entrance to Old Mogo Town and is a 20-30 minute looped walk and whilst rated easy there are some steps.
Banksia Walk, Burrewarra Point (Guerilla Bay) Length: 1.5 km return Time: 50 minutes. RAAF No 11 Operational Base Unit was situated at Moruya Aerodrome during World War 2 and RAAF No 17 Radar Station at Burrewarra Point was an allied unit.The station was operational from April 1943 to 21 January 1945, giving radar coverage to the waters off this coast. These waters were actually the front line, 113 sailors were lost in submarine attacks on seven ships between Jervis Bay and Gabo Island. Today a concrete bunker reminds us that there was a war here.
Tuross Head Foreshore – One of the great walking treasures in Eurobodalla is the Tuross Head shared cycleway that hugs the shore of Coila Lake, tracing along the stunning Tuross coastline and then finishes at the Tuross Boatramp on the shores of Tuross Lake – a 5.5km path that allows you to explore from one end of the village to the other. The Tuross Head Walking Guide and Map are available HERE
Length: 5.5 km return Time: allow 2 hours to fit in a coffee at one of the boatshed cafes.
Mill Bay Boardwalk, Narooma. This timber walkway, starting from Apex Boat Ramp, wraps around the banks of the Wagonga Inlet offering walkers and cyclists the opportunity to fish, watch the marine life or just stroll. It is suitable for all levels of walkers and is a must see for visitors. Length: 850m to 4 km return Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours Grade: Easy, level, wheelchair access on boardwalk
Mystery Bay to Billy’s Beach Length: 1km return Time: 40 minutes
Moderate Walks:
Ancient Headlands, Murramarang National Park, Sth Durras Length: 2.5km return Time: 1 hour
Broulee Island, (Broulee) Length: 3.5 km return Time: 1 hour, 2 hours if you include the beach walk
Box Cutting Rainforest Walk (Near Narooma) Length: 700mTime: 35 minutes Grade: Easy with some steep sections
Ringlands Bay Walk (Near Narooma) – This walk was an initiative of Rotary Narooma Distance 4km one way. Graded Moderate
Mystery Bay to 1080 Beach Length: 5km return Time: 2 hours return
Moderate to Hard walks:
Bingie Dreaming Track: Length: 25km return Tuross Head to Congo; 11km return Tuross Head to Bingie
Time: 8 hours Tuross Head to Congo; 5 hours to Bingie Grade: Moderate to difficult. More info HERE
Gulaga (Mt Dromedary) Length: 14km return. Time: 5 hours return. Grade: Hard
Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) is located at the southern end of the Eurobodalla, towering above the Tilba towns of Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba. Mount Gulaga is a 797 metre high extinct volcano rising above sea level and has great spiritual significance to local Aboriginal people, particularly Aboriginal women symbolising the mother and providing a basis for Aboriginal spiritual identity. The Gulaga National Park was handed back to its traditional Aboriginal owners in an historic agreement in 2006. There is a popular, though solid 14km (up and back) walk from Pam’s Store at Tilba Tilba to the top of Gulaga which takes 5 hours or so. The track is easy to follow traversing along an old gold mining road so the mountain also has white-fella history. There are pit toilets at the top and drinking water maintained by the park rangers.
The steep track up the mountain was built in 1894 for gold miners.
Take the gravel path from Pam’s Store in Tilba Tilba and continue up the mountain. At ‘Halfway Rock’ the trail leads 1.6 kilometres off the main track to the foundations of the mine manager’s residence. Return to the main track and 30 minutes later you should reach ‘The Saddle’ – a great rest spot. Push on to the summit with its spectacular views to the coast, along the way enjoying a beautiful rainforest teeming with life.
The Corn Trail walking track is a historic trail for hikers and horse riders to traverse a wide variety of landscapes and follow in the footsteps of the past. It is a12.5 km trail in Buckenbowra State Forest which starts at Clyde Mountain about 40 km from Batemans Bay – turn left into River Forest Road. The Corn Trail passes across high mountain ridges, through eucalyptus forest and into deep rain forest gullies. The top of Clyde Mountain is often covered in mist.
The track was originally used by Aboriginals on their seasonal travels between the coast and the tablelands and then expanded on in the 1830s by the settlers from the Clyde valley who transported their produce on packhorses, mostly corn, to the Southern Tablelands. Farmers in the tablelands used it to move cattle to the coast for agistment.
During the goldrush era the trail was used by gold prospectors heading for Araluen. When the Clyde Mountain Road from Nelligen to Braidwood was opened the track was abandoned. It fell into disrepair and was completely overgrown by the 1920s. In 1987 the Bicentennial Authority funded local historians to reconstruct the trail. The route is marked out by stone along the edges and cairns ensure that walkers are on right path. It takes about four to seven hours which means walkers must take food and water, something warm and waterproof and a good map.
Pigeon House Mountain. National Parks and Wildlife service grade this track at Grade 4, its rough, steep and a challenging hike. It is NOT recommend that anyone with knee, ankle, heart or lung conditions attempt the hike.
The Aboriginal name for the mountain Didthol, meaning Big Mountain, culturally the mountain is a significant area. Later named by Captain Cook in 1770 as Pigeon House Hill for its shape, clearly seen from the ocean. The hike itself is an extremely rewarding experience, the views from the summit to the west into magical wilderness regions of the Budawangs show sandstone cliffs, gorges and escarpments. Views to the east show the amazing NSW coastline stretching as far as the eye can see.
You can read more information on Pidgeon House Mountain provided by National Parks HERE
This spectacular walk is also professionally guided by Region X, a local tour company.
Murramarang Coast Journey
Experience one of the Worlds signature walks. Magnificent beaches, intricate geological patterns and amazing forest on this guided three day walk along the breathtaking South Coast of NSW all within Murramarang National Park just north of Batemans Bay.
This spectacular walk is also professionally guided by Region X, a local tour company.
Enjoy the videos by Region X below:
For those who enjoy exploring National Parks there are seven in the Eurobodalla.
Download the NSW National Parks Pocket Guide to the South Coast and all the information you might want on National Parks in the South East including the Eurobodalla HERE