Sydney
South
Coast
From the towering escarpment that reveals the
Fitzroy Falls and the mysterious Minnamurra rainforests,
to fascinating Montague Island and untamed Ben Boyd
National Park, take your time to explore the rugged and
spectacular southern coast, one of the most beautiful
and undeveloped coastlines in Australia.
Discover powder white beaches in Jervis Bay with a rich
Aboriginal history and culture, soar through the sky or dive
deep to a different perspective of the national parks and marine
reserves. The NSW South Coast will surprise you with its beauty
and intrigue. Take a trip and find out for yourself.
Experiences
Island Life
Culture
Walking
Located 9 km off the coast of Narooma,
Montague Island is one of the most diverse and
spectacular places within all of the national parks
in NSW. Watch the arrival of the little penguins
each evening, swim with Australian fur seals
and walk along the 1.5 km island with a national
park ranger to discover lighthouse history. You
can stay for longer and leave a lasting legacy
by volunteering with Conservation Volunteers
Australia (CVA).
Jervis Bay is known for its powder-white
beaches and underwater beauty. Uncover the
other highlights of the region by signing up
for a Discovery Tour of Greenfields Beach in
Jervis Bay National Park. You’ll learn about
bush tucker, natural insect repellent, native
hairbrushes and the stories of the local
Aboriginal people on the Scribbly Gum Trail.
The 31 km Light to Light walk from historic
Green Cape Lighthouse to Ben Boyd tower in
Ben Boyd National Park south of Eden is one
of the most rewarding multi-day hike on the
South Coast. See whales and other natural
attractions, appreciate the region’s history
and enjoy quiet campsites at Saltwater Creek
and Bittangabee Bay.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NATIONALPARKS.NSW.GOV.AU/SOUTHCOAST
Snapper Point, Murramarang National Park
44
JOURNEY by Ben Stubbs
Light to Light Walk
The Light to Light Walk in
Ben Boyd National Park is
one of the most rewarding
and spectacular trekking
experiences on the NSW
coast. Starting from either
Green Cape Light Station in
the south or Boyd’s Tower
to the north, it can be enjoyed
as a two-day adventure or
in sections as day walks.
FAST FACTS
Staying there: The Green Cape Light
Station has two cottages for public
hire starting at $270 per cottage per
night. Each cottage can accommodate
up to six people. Ph: (02) 6495 5000 or
contact [email protected]
for booking details.
Day 1:
Day 2:
My dad and I are out in Australia’s Coastal
Wilderness in southeast NSW for a boys’
weekend. Through the dense forests of Ben
Boyd National Park we drive in and find the
old Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site.
We wander past sunbaking water dragons
and the Davidson homestead to the water’s
edge. The smell wouldn’t always have been
so pleasant here among the trees and
wildflowers. We pass the rusting try pots
where whalers boiled hunks of blubber
and captured the oil, used for perfume and
margarine, skin cream and bike seats. It
was Australia’s longest running land based
whaling operation and the locals worked in
tandem with the killer whales or orcas, to
bring in the whales for processing. The story
of Old Tom, the leader of the Killer Whale
pod, is legendary in these parts.
We begin early on the trail of the Light to
Light Walk. The path stretches from Green
Cape Light Station at the southern end of
the Ben Boyd National Park 30 km north to
Boyd’s Tower. We hope to camp at Saltwater
Creek 17.5 km north if we can make it.
We back track to Edrom Road and on to
Green Cape Road to continue through the
towering eucalypts south to Green Cape
Light Station, our accommodation for the
evening. The fire is roaring as we arrive at
the cottages and the ranger on duty points
to the ocean where we spot a seal colony on
the rocks and a solitary humpback breaching
beyond the waves. The wind picks up and we
head indoors to recharge for the walk ahead.
We head into the tea-tree scrub along the
trail and even when we can’t see the ocean I
know we aren’t too far away as I can hear the
seashell echo of the waves through the trees.
We stop briefly on a curl of sand at
Bittangabee Bay and then follow the trail
that the lighthouse keepers blazed along
the coast after Green Cape’s construction in
1883. This sheltered cove 7 km north of the
lighthouse was used as a storage depot for
supplies that were then taken by horse to the
cottages for the keepers and their families.
A solitary seal dashes and lifts through
the water in front of us, and out amongst
the wash we see a pod of dolphins slicing
through the water. We pass the yellowed
ruins of a hut that was built by the Imlay
brothers in the 1830s when the calm waters
here were used for whaling.
Saltwater Creek Bay
45
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NATIONALPARKS.NSW.GOV.AU/SOUTHCOAST
Mowarry Point
Green Cape accomodation
The sun falls lower in the sky and we
continue pushing through the bush towards
Hegartys Bay. Dusk brings the animals
out as we walk. Enormous eastern grey
kangaroos are guarding the trail like
sentinels and we disturb wallabies, lyrebirds,
wombats, possums and kookaburras
cackling through the trees with grubs in their
mouths as we hike further into the bush.
Just as the pastel shades
of dusk fade we round
the corner onto a
powder-white beach
at Saltwater Creek.
We set up camp amongst the trees of the
campground and get a fire going quickly to
keep out the chill.
DAY 3:
We rise early after a frost and continue north
across the sand and past the waves that are
steaming in the cold air.
Light
to Light
Walk
The vegetation changes as we trek; the
waist-high heath and scrub is replaced by a
dripping green rainforest carpeted in ferns.
At Mowarry Point I get a glimpse of Boyd’s
Tower in the distance. I arrive 10 minutes
before my dad at the clearing on Mowarry
Beach; he insists he’s taking the scenic route.
The beach is untrodden and we tramp up
across the cherry red boulders that litter the
edge of the sand to the headland.
With our calves burning, we stop at
Leatherjacket Bay for a breather and see
a spout of water out near the horizon. It’s
a whale on its migration.
We’re getting closer and I can see Boyd’s
Tower getting larger with every headland we
round. The tower was built by Ben Boyd in 1847
and intended as a lighthouse. The sandstone
light station looks medieval with its turrets and
slim windows poking up above the trees.
The trail widens and my dad and I fall into
step for the last kilometre. We clamber up
the final hill panting and sweating. The sun is
high as we emerge from the trees. After two
days of walking to the coast’s schedule we’re
right on time with our arrival back to reality.
An audio tour featuring local and natural
history of the Light to Light Walk can be
downloaded from: www.nationalparks.nsw.
gov.au/light2lighttour
A map of Ben's Light to Light Walk journey
can be found on page 10.
FAST FACTS
Getting there: Eden is 494 km or a
6 hour drive south of Sydney.
Boyd’s Tower is 33 km south of Eden along
the Princes Highway and Edrom Road.
FAST FACTS
Walking the Light to Light: it is possible
to start the Light to Light Walk at
either end for the 31 km trek. There are
two camping grounds with facilities
along the trail (Saltwater Creek and
Bittangabee Bay). For bookings and
further information visit
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or contact
National Parks, Ph: (02) 6495 5000.
Coastal rocks, Ben Boyd National Park
46
Minnamurra River
Rainforests,
beaches
and
birds
– Nature on the South Coast
JOURNEY by Ben Stubbs
South Coast Explorer
The national parks on the NSW
South Coast are full of natural
and cultural wonders – from
raging waterfalls and secluded
walking trails to ancient
rainforests and Aboriginal
Discovery Tours, on some of
the best beaches anywhere
in Australia. We head out on a
three-day trip to find the best
there is to offer.
47
Day 1:
When I drive to the South Coast from my
home in the Snowy Mountains I normally take
the quickest route possible. This time I’m
determined to stop along the way and look a
little closer to see what lies between the Hume
Highway and the water.
I hear it before I know what’s ahead. The roar
through the trees is not just from the wind. I
walk to the edge of Yarrunga Creek, hopeful
of spotting a platypus, past coral ferns and
Sydney peppermints to the lip of the gorge.
I look over the edge of the Fitzroy Falls and
down the valley into Morton National Park.
The view is spectacular across the sea of
trees and ochre coloured rocks. The spray
from the 82 metre waterfall hits me and I step
back to let the school group of 10-year-olds
take my place. From the falls I head along the
West Rim Track to explore.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NATIONALPARKS.NSW.GOV.AU/SOUTHCOAST
There are wombats and lyrebirds in the
scrub here normally, though I’m too noisy
to surprise them. Past termite mounds and
towering coachwood trees I pass the Jersey
Lookout and duck under the overhang to
The Grotto, an oasis of calm behind the
rocks. There are trails for all levels at Fitzroy
falls, though I decide to head into the
rainforest further east.
FAST FACTS
The Minnamurra Rainforest Centre is
115 km south of Sydney inland from
Kiama on Jamberoo Mountain Road.
Vehicle entry fee is $11 per day and the
centre is open daily from 9am-5pm.
For a range of accommodation options
in NSW national parks visit www.
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/stay
I creep through the dunes and see pelicans, pied
oystercatchers and red-capped plovers, just a
few of the thousands of birds that visit this area.
Less than an hour away I spend the night
at Huskisson, looking out to the Jervis Bay
Marine Park at dusk.
Day 3:
Jervis Bay National Park
FAST FACTS
The Morton National Park is 140 km
south of Sydney via Moss Vale and
Mittagong and parking at the Fitzroy
Falls Visitor Centre on Nowra Road
is $3 per day. The visitor centre and
cafe open 9am-5pm daily and is 2WD
accessible.
The Jervis Bay National Park is 170 km
south of Sydney and 25 km south east
of Nowra. To reach the southern part of
the park, take the Jervis Bay Road turn
off and follow the signs to Huskisson or
Vincentia (for Greenfield Beach).
For information on Discovery tours visit
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/whats-on
I start the day with
a walk along Hyams
Beach, supposedly the
whitest sand in the
world, yet I have it
entirely to myself.
I drive into Vincentia to meet Ranger
Deidre, who is from the Yuin people, for an
Aboriginal Discovery Tour along the Scribbly
Gum Walk behind Greenfields Beach in the
Jervis Bay National Park. Our two-hour walk
is like walking through a bush supermarket.
Normally I would shuffle straight through,
though Deidre finds crinum lillies for blue
bottle stings, banksias for hairbrushes, long
strands of lomandras that we snack on up
the trail and coastal wattle that is a perfect
soap substitute. We emerge from the
Sunrise, Seven Mile Beach National Park
On my drive to Budderoo National Park
I stop briefly at the Illawarra Fly tree top walk,
where I climb the Knights Tower 45 metres
above the trees to catch the view down
the escarpment to Wollongong and Royal
National Park in the distance.
Day 2:
The drive down Jamberoo Mountain Road
winds like a coil through the trees amongst
the rural landscape. At the bottom I find
Minnamurra Rainforest Centre. With towering
red cedars, vines, orchids and a plethora
of fern varieties it looks like the tropics.
Manager Peter tells me that there are four
types of rainforest here, “It’s a storehouse
of what you’ll find in all the rainforests of
eastern Australia,” he says. The best way to
see it all is on the looping Rainforest Walk
and longer Minnamurra Falls walk.
While I’m at the visitor centre I assume
they’re doing maintenance. I’m sure I hear
a chainsaw, though as I round the corner I
startle a male lyrebird rustling through the
leaves. He displays his tail at me and warbles
a strange song until I continue up the raised
walkway. I see the view from inside the trunk
of a gigantic strangler fig and cross the river
past lilly pillies and native tamarinds, from
sub-tropical to dry rainforest on the Falls
Walk. The track has my legs burning on the
1.3 km trail, though the view of the top of the
slot gorge and the Minamurra Falls is worth it.
trees and I walk down to the water, my final
destination. From waterfalls and lyrebirds to
natural bush snacks I’m amazed at what can
be found when you look a little closer.
A map of Ben's South Coast Explorer journey
can be found on page 10.
Strangler fig
I need a swim to cool off so I drive south
to Seven Mile Beach National Park. I jump
through the breakers and just as quickly
jump out. The water is fresh and I’m glad for
the hair on my chest.
My next stop is the International Airport. It’s not
what you’re thinking. On the coast at the southern
edge of Seven Mile Beach I find the Shorebird
Conservation Area on the edge of the Shoalhaven
River. With Coolangatta Mountain (known to the
Aboriginal people as Cullunghutti) in the distance
48
Hang-gliding, Stanwell Tops
Diving
and
flying
– Adventure in
the Illawarra
JOURNEY by Ben Stubbs
Wollongong Adventure
NSW national parks have
some of the most incredible
walks, adventures and family
tours around. Sometimes
travellers are after something
a little more adventurous
though, that will allow them
to feel the wind in their hair
and taste the saltwater of
the ocean. We travel south
from Sydney to uncover the
most exhilarating activities
on offer in the national parks.
Morton National Park
49
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NATIONALPARKS.NSW.GOV.AU/SOUTHCOAST
FAST FACTS
For information on tours and guided
activities in national parks visit www.
environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/
touroperators.aspx
Day 1:
With no shopping, boutiques or cafes on our
itinerary we leave Sydney for a boys’ long
weekend. We’re looking for some outdoor
fun in the national parks on the South Coast.
From the Hume Highway we turn off at the
quaint town of Moss Vale. We don’t stop to
look at the sculptured gardens, nurseries and
wineries, we head down past the thundering
Fitzroy Falls to the Kangaroo Valley. Families
are out shopping and dining in town though
we’re after something a little more involved.
We sign up with a kayaking operator near
the archaic-looking Hampden Bridge for a
kayaking adventure on the Kangaroo River.
It is possible to head out on multi-day trips
though we’re content with a 5 km afternoon
paddle.
It takes a while to get rid of the wobbles
inside the kayak and once we leave the town
behind my shoulders begin to burn. I see
herons swooping low over the water and
kookaburras watching on as I surge through
the flat water. The gorge sides of the Morton
National Park hem us in and as we approach
a set of rapids I startle a water dragon
sunning itself on a rock in the middle of the
flow. I continue into the wind, remembering
to push my paddle through the water for less
resistance. I stop to snap a photo of another
water dragon, nearly a metre long, and drift
into the flow of another rapid backwards. I
hold the camera high and the dragon has the
good sense to scuttle off. I bounce through
to the other end intact and we pull in to the
camp ground for a lift back to town.
Day 2:
After spending the previous day floating
above the water we head to the coast along
the spectacular drive down Cambewarra
Mountain. At Shellharbour we decide to have
a look at what is under the surface. Heading
out of town we pull in at the Bushrangers Bay
Aquatic Reserve. Above ground it looks a little
grim with choppy water and the smoke stacks
of Port Kembla in the distance. Mick is my
guide and as soon as we kit up he instructs
me to dive into ‘The Gutter’, a 3 metre channel
that will pull us out to the nursery.
Despite the cold water
I’m almost immediately
mesmerised.
We see a cuttlefish behind a rock and it
promptly inks at us as a warning not to
approach. I breathe slowly and watch a
graceful weedy sea dragon float past.
I kick my fins past a massive blue groper
that seems to met us in a friendly way.
Lower again I spot a bizarre looking frog
fish lurking in an underwater cave and a
toothless Port Jackson shark in the shadows.
I’m waterlogged. I shake the sea from my
ears on the surface and retire for the night in
Wollongong ready to see the national parks from
an entirely different perspective the next day.
FAST FACTS
For a range of accommodation options in
NSW national parks visit
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/stay
For accommodation options across the
region visit www.visitnsw.com.au
Weedy sea dragon
Day 3:
Standing on the edge of a cliff at Stanwell Tops
I hold the nose of my hang-glider as a strong
gust of wind blows in off the ocean threatening
to snatch the giant kite from my grasp.
With me on my flight is Curt, a hang-gliding
instructor with more than 7,000 tandem
flights. Curt attaches us to the safety line and
gives me a piece of advice: “Run towards the
cliff as fast as you can and don’t stop until
we’re in the air.” Together we charge towards
the edge of Bald Hill. Before I can protest,
we’re flying above the Pacific Ocean.
We shoot up on a thermal and sail out above
Royal National Park. I breathe and look down
at the ground far below. I kick my legs back
so I’m hanging horizontally. Next to me,
Curt is holding the glider’s bar. Everything is
silent, except for his cackle over the gentle
whistle of the wind. “Awesome, isn’t it?”
I nod, surprised by how stable the glider
feels. We climb to about 400 metres and I
can see Heathcote National Park in front of
us. Curt lets me grab the bar. He releases his
hands and I’m on my own, steering the glider
barely 10 minutes into my first ride.
The wind rattles along the fabric wings as I
take control. It’s not until I relax my arms that
I can adjust the glider’s movements. I pull
my right hand towards my hip and we veer
right. Pushing the bar away from my chest
allows us to hover above a school of fish.
To gain momentum, I imitate Curt’s earlier
movement and pull the bar inwards; we jet
past another glider riding a thermal south
towards Wollongong.
Curt takes the bar again and we dip down
towards the beach, curving sideways across
a gust of onshore wind.
My stomach rattles against my ribs as we
drop in altitude. Curt smiles apologetically
as he momentarily indulges in a more
challenging manoeuvre. Our altitude
continues to drop, rocks and trees gain clarity
and I feel the speed of the glider once more.
We approach the beach and Curt instructs
me to lower my feet. We touch down and
run for another 20 metres before coming to
a stop. Curt grins and gives me a high-five
as we unclip; he seems to have got as much
of a buzz from the flight as I have.
A map of Ben's Wollongong Adventure
journey can be found on page 10.
Cuttlefish
50
Montague Island
The
Galapagos
of
NSW
JOURNEY by Ben Stubbs
Montague Island
The NSW South Coast is a
wild and beautiful place with
surprises in every corner. I
head to the second biggest
island on the NSW coast,
Montague Island, to discover
the wonders of this Galapagos
of the NSW national parks.
Day 1:
Montague Island Nature Reserve is off the
coast of Narooma, a three-hour drive south
of Canberra. We take the Kings Highway
south and stop off at the mysterious Deua
National Park on the edge of the escarpment
on the way. Our walk across the Shoalhaven
River from Berlang takes us past the
infamous ‘Big Hole’, the 96 metre chasm that
looks like a window to the centre of the earth.
We walk across the ridge to the Marble Arch,
a limestone cavern that shelters tree ferns
and boulders the size of buses.
FAST FACTS
For information on tours to Montague
Island visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/
nationalparks/touroperators.aspx
The Marble Arch is of important scientific and
archaeological value because of its resident
owl population. One of 106 bird species in the
park, the powerful owl has left pellet deposits
through the subterranean corridor. These
deposits are the regurgitated bones and fur
of its prey. In some parts of the Marble Arch,
the remains of the small mammals and birds
are thought to be thousands of years old.
From Deua National Park we continue down
Clyde Mountain to the seaside town of
Narooma ready for our early morning departure
to Montague Island Nature Reserve.
Day 2:
We head out early across the bar and out
into the open sea. Montague Island is 9 km
from Narooma and this isolation, along with its
proximity to the East Australian Current means
there is a plethora of bird and marine life in the
nature reserve.
The island looms large as we approach. Birds
circle overhead and we jump on to the dock
where Ranger Dave is waiting for us. We
are staying in the head lighthouse keeper’s
cottage. It dates back to 1881, though it was
restored in 2005 and now offers comfortable
period accommodation for up to 12 people.
We find our rooms and after watching the
playful whales in the Pacific we take a walk
around the island with Dave.
Montague Island is home to more than 90
bird species. The shearwater population is
possibly the most impressive, and certainly
the most persistent. They migrate each year
from as far away as Siberia before returning
to their nests on the northern spit of
Montague Island.
Breaching humpback whale
Australian fur seal
Our first bird experience, though, is with
the seagulls. Thousands have taken up
residence here to breed and we walk through
a gauntlet of squawking gulls and their tiny
chicks and the crested terns on the rocks.
While we walk, Dave tells us about the history
of the lighthouse keepers here and the
significance of the Aboriginal history of the
island, or Barunguba as it is known by local
Yuin people.
We walk along the
trails past little penguin
boxes and hear the
boisterous Australian
fur seals on the rocks.
We’ll get a better look later, Dave tells us,
so we continue up to the top of the
lighthouse for a look along the coast.
52
The clouds open with rain and we retreat
inside to enjoy the cottage until the evening.
Just as the lantern of the lighthouse begins
to spin and the rain clears, we head down to
the platforms above the water on the edge
of the island. As if on cue, hundreds of little
penguins waddle up from the ocean on their
nightly procession and continue up in droves
to find their burrows for the evening.
Day 3:
Wazza and Colin arrive at the island early
to take us out to catch dinner on our third
day. We set out into the designated areas
of Batemans Marine Park and drop a line.
The sea is rolling and I keep my eyes pasted
to the horizon to stop my breakfast from
reappearing. I don’t have time to rest though
as within minutes my line snaps down with a
bite. I pull in a kingfish, though it’s only 40 cm
so we throw it back and continue around the
island. We see shearwaters circling and our
lines find morwong and flathead big enough
to take home for dinner. Our luck continues
and I land a rock cod that they tell me is a
‘poor man’s lobster’. With clouds brewing
over Mt Dromedary or Gulaga in the distance
we head back to shore so I can find out.
Day 4:
On our last day on Montague Island, Frank
a diving operator, arrives to take us on a
snorkelling trip with a difference.
An Australian fur seal
zips past my legs like a
torpedo as I swivel and
see another spin and
dive into the depths.
There are more than 50 in the water with us as
we snorkel across the sheltered sections of
the western side of Montague Island. I’m used
to seeing fish or maybe some coral when I go
snorkelling – this is incredible. The seals bark
and jump off the rocks getting in close as we
kick across the water. Below the seals I spot a
giant stingray flapping across the sand and a
Port Jackson shark hiding out in the weed.
The water is getting cold and I see Dave
waiting on shore for us with lunch ready to be
enjoyed on this Galapagos of the South Coast.
A map of Ben's Montague Island journey can
be found on page 10.
FAST FACTS
Montague Island accommodation
Deua National Park: the Berlang
camping area is on Krawarree Road,
41 km south of Braidwood. This is
where the trail for the Big Hole and
the Marble Arch begins. Permits are
required to visit some parts of the
Marble Arch. Phone (02) 4476 0800
for route information and conditions.
The Parks –
South Coast
TOURING ROUTES
Exploring some remarkable
national parks
A brilliant option for a few days of
meandering along the South Coast
of NSW is to visit Meroo, Murramarang
and Eurobodalla National Parks, offering
magnificent beaches and endless
leisure opportunities.
Start at the town of Ulladulla and head
first to Meroo National Park, just a short
drive away. Here you can try bushwalking,
fishing, swimming and canoeing while
enjoying the beautiful coastline. Continue
south to Murramarang National Park, where
you’ll want to visit Pebbly Beach, one of
the State’s finest. This wide expanse of
golden sand is also popular with the local
kangaroos, who’ll happily pose for photos.
From Pebbly Beach, take the walk to
Snake Bay along a well-marked track with
a good variety of gum and rainforest trees.
Keep your eye out for shy lyrebirds beside
the track, wrens and finches, colourful
king parrots, rosellas and lorikeets. You
can stay in comfortable cabins in Pretty
Beach or Depot Beach – make sure you
book in advance (call: (02) 4457 2019
or (02) 4478 6582).
Head south towards Batemans Bay
stopping along the way to admire the
spectacular views and the Batemans
Marine Park. In the pristine water you can
see myriad baby fish seeking shelter in the
calm water. Once in town, sample the local
oysters, served fresh in cafes
and restaurants all over town.
Montague Island Nature Reserve –
Montague Island is 9 km from Narooma.
To get on the island you must book
an island tour or accommodation. For
details of day and overnight tours go to
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Further south is Tuross Heads, a top place
to visit and a gateway to explore the Bingie
Dreaming Track in the Eurobodalla National
Park. It follows part of the dreaming tracks
used by Brinja-Yuin people, and still has
great significance today. This is a wonderful
place for birdwatchers, including white and
black cockatoos, oystercatchers, plovers you may even spot a white-bellied sea eagle
soaring overhead.
How to get there: Starting at Ulladulla, drive
5 km south and enter Meroo National Park
via unsealed roads off the Princes Highway.
To get to Murramarang National Park turn
left onto Pebbly Beach Road or Mount
Agony Road from the Princes Highway.
Take the Surfside turnoff north of Batemans
Bay for Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve.
Pretty Beach
53
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NATIONALPARKS.NSW.GOV.AU/SOUTHCOAST
Crested terns
Eurobodalla National Park can be accessed
from various points along the Princess
Highway from Moruya Heads to Tilba Lake.
0
25
50
100 Kilometres
SYDNEY
16
Sapphire Coast Secrets
19
WOLLONGONG
If you’re heading to the far south coast, take
an extra couple of days to explore more of the
beautiful Sapphire Coast.
NSW
12
7
Little penguin
20
23
4
29
25
28
11 13
BATEMANS BAY
2
15
17
18
34
BEGA
26
24
6
33
EDEN
14
3
30
VIC
South East Forest National Park
is accessed several ways. Six Mile
Creek is 12 km west of Candelo on the
Tantawangalo Mountain Road. Myanba
Gorge is via Coolangubra Forest Way
and Koonanah Road, or along the Bucky
Springs Road south east from Bombala.
Please note that most roads are unsealed.
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The South East Forest National Park is well
worth exploring. It’s a place of outstanding
and diverse landscapes, old growth forests,
endangered animals and magnificent birdlife.
Wadbilliga National Park is accessed from
the east via Bourkes Road. Some of the
park’s roads are 4WD only, check with the
Narooma office on (02) 4476 0800.
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5
27
IF YOU WANT MORE: Further inland,
Wadbilliga National Park features one of the
state’s largest undisturbed river systems.
Take the Cascades Walk through lush forest
COOMA
and a scenic gorge to a breathtaking waterfall
lookout.
Mimosa Rocks is off the Tathra-Bermagui
Road. Bournda National Park is 20 km
south of Bega on the Sapphire Coast Drive,
vehicle entry fee is $7 per day.
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1
GOULBURN
Head south to Bournda National Park, a
spectacular place that offers ocean beaches,
ACT
creeks, lagoons and the popular Wallagoot
Lake. You’ll enjoy exploring this largely pristine
area, with short walks around the headlands
and lagoons and longer treks including the 9
km walk from Turingal Head to Kianinny Bay.
FAST FACTS
22
8
Mimosa Rocks National Park - just 22 km
north-east of Bega - is a great place to
start your adventure, featuring a beautiful
coastline with opportunities for fishing,
walking, birdwatching and photography. Calm
lagoons such as Middle Lagoon are perfect
for canoeing or kayaking and there are many
gentle walking tracks.
There are scenic drives that lead to picnic
areas including Six Mile Creek and White
Rock River, along with a great variety of
walking tracks. At Myanba Gorge you can
follow a boardwalk and trail through tall
forests to a spectacular waterfall and lookout.
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1 Barren Grounds NR
2 Batemans MP
3 Ben Boyd NP
4 Bimberamala NP
5 Bomaderry Creek RP
6 Bournda NP
7 Budawang NP
8 Budderoo NP
9 Bushrangers Bay AR
10 Cecil Hoskins NR
11 Clyde River NP
12 Conjola NP
13 Cullendulla Creek NR
14 Davidson Whaling
Station HS
15 Deua NP
16 Dharawal NP
17 Eurobodalla NP
24 Mimosa Rocks NP
25 Monga NP
26 Montague Island
(Barunguba) NR
27 Morton NP
28 Murramarang AA
18 Gulaga NP
29 Murramarang NP
19 Illawarra Escarpment SCA 30 Nadgee NR
20 Jervis Bay MP
31 Narrawallee Creek NR
21 Jervis Bay NP
22 Macquarie Pass NP
32 Seven Mile Beach NP
33 South East Forest NP
23 Meroo NP
34 Wadbilliga NP
Stories: Ben Stubbs. Photography: pp43-44 TOP: N. Sullivan/Courtesy Destination NSW, BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT:
G. Kelly/MPA, N. Rains/Courtesy Destination NSW, M. Van Ewijk/OEH; pp 45-46 TOP TO BOTTOM: M. Van Ewijk/OEH,
Courtesy Paddy Pallin, N. Rains/Courtesy Destination NSW, M. Van Ewijk/OEH; pp47-48 LEFT: M. Van Ewijk/OEH, RIGHT
TOP TO BOTTOM: OEH, P. Blackmore/Courtesy Destination NSW, M. Van Ewijk/OEH; pp49-50 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
RIGHT: D. Harasti/OEH, D. Harasti/OEH, J. Yurasek/OEH, Tourism Illawarra; p51-52 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: W.
Reynolds/OEH, I. Oeland/OEH, S. Cohen/OEH; pp53-54 TOP: S. Cohen/OEH BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT, M. Van Ewijk/
OEH, S. Cohen/OEH, M. Rossi/OEH.
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