15 of the best south coast NSW walks that you should try
Mermaid Inlet and Gosang’s Tunnel walk, Abraham’s Bosom Reserve ©
Australia really is a special place. I may be biased, but we have some of the best beaches in the world, uniquely quaint coastal and country towns, and that itself comes with some of the best walks and hikes.
By Esta Pinto.
The south coast, especially, is a region dear to me, where many years have been spent exploring and discovering some of the coolest and best walks around, from the gruellingly difficult to the leisurely-paced easy strolls. I’ve included a rough idea of how challenging each walk is to suit all fitness levels and moods.
So for tired soles (sometimes) but a happy soul always, here are my personal picks for some of the best walk south coast NSW walks, from your common stunning beaches in south coast NSW, to surprising under-appreciated gems. Keep reading!
Before we begin, I wish to acknowledge Brinja-Yuin, Budawang, Jerrinja, Murramarang, Walbunja, Wandandian, Wodi Wodi, Yuin and Yuin-Monaro people as the traditional owners of the South Coast NSW/Yuin country and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I honour the uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, skies and waterways, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. I honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands.
1. Mount Gulaga walk, Gulaga National Park.
Mount Gulaga walk. ©
Ancient and sacred geology, the smell of eucalypt, the sounds of native birds. Starting from Tilba Tilba, Gulaga National Park needs to be experienced because photos will never do justice. The entire national park emanates a special spiritualness, a place important for our First Nations people and especially significant to the Yuin Women of South Coast NSW. The huge granite boulders surrounding Gulaga represent caretakers or guardians of time, interlinked with the well-being of the mountain and the people.
The 14km return walk through the national park to reach the forested ancient volcano, and rainforest is in itself something magical. The track itself is steep and difficult, and I must admit, the first 40%, the constant uphill was a challenge. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t contemplate quitting. Once we reached the rainforest walk, though, the sacredness was palpable, and the constant steep ascent and jellied legs were worth it.
Allow 4-5 hours to complete this walk. Recommended for people with an intermediate to advanced level of fitness only.
2. Florence Head walking track, Morton National Park.
Florence Head walking track views. ©
Didthul (Pigeonhouse Mountain) is an iconic staple of the Shoalhaven, and so too is the walk to reach the top. But did you know you can get incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges of the Morton National Park and Pigeonhouse Mountain with a 6.3 km flat walk from the Little Forest walking track car park without having to do a vertical climb?
Yep, the Florence Head walking track is comparatively easier, being mostly flat, and the view from the top is just as spectacular. To reach the start of the track, drive to the Little Forest walking track car park. To get to this car park, you’re driving up the mountain range itself, so the hard work in reaching the top has already been done.
Of course, if you prefer the vertical challenge and reward, you should definitely still hike Pigeonhouse-Didthul!
3. Abraham’s Bosom Reserve, Currarong.
Mermaid’s Inlet at Abraham’s Bosom Reserve. ©
Get to Abraham’s Bosom Reserve for a collection of some really diverse walks, including:
Coomie’s (Easy-intermediate)
Gosang’s tunnel (Hard)
Mermaid’s Inlet (Hard)
Lobster Bay (Easy-intermediate)
Wreck Walk (Easy)
and the tiny but splendid Wilson’s Beach. (Easy)
Mermaid’s Inlet (pictured) and Gosang’s Tunnel are my favourites. However, they can be precarious in parts and you’ll have to tread carefully there, pardon the pun. Some cliff navigation and, yes, crawling through tunnels may be required. Remember to take note that there are no railings or safety barriers.
[Edit: I have discovered that they’ve closed Mermaid’s Inlet and Gosang’s Tunnel for the very reasons I mentioned above. Probably a good call. That shouldn’t stop you from trying all the other walks available in Abraham’s Bosom Reserve in Currarong, listed above.]
Difficulty: Easy - Hard, depending on which walk you choose.
4. Steamer’s Beach, Booderee National Park.
Steamer’s Beach, Booderee National Park. ©
More blue waters, more secluded beaches? How obnoxiously lovely. Take the circuit trail from Steamer’s Beach car park (11.4K return) or expand your walk with smaller marked trails. The circuit track itself is more challenging, with big coastal walk descents and ascents, but it’s well worth it. I recommend this one for people with a reasonable fitness level.
Difficulty: Intermediate - hard.
5. White Sands Walk & Scribbly Gum Track, Jervis Bay.
White Sands Walk, Jervis Bay/Vincentia ©
Despite it being slightly cliche, due to the popular Hyam’s Beach, I couldn’t leave this one out. Because look at it. Pack a picnic. Or not. You do you.
You can start the walk at Plantation Point, cross Blenheim’s Beach, Chinaman’s Beach and then finish up at Hyam’s Beach. To return, you can either go via the beach or go via the Scribbly Gums track, full of cool birds, lizards and other wildlife.
Difficulty: Easy
6. Camel Rock to Murunna Point Walking Track.
Horse Head Rock Wallaga Lake walk. ©
Get an eyeful of this iconic 500-million-year-old ancient horse-head-shaped rock by walking the 1.5-kilometre walking track stretching from Camel Rock Surf Beach to Murunna Point.
It’s on this walking track you’ll find the viewing platform where you can get a sweeping panoramic view of Horse Head Rock from above.
Difficulty: Easy
7. Pretty Beach to Snapper Point walking track.
Pretty Beach to Snapper Point walking track ©
You can accesss the northern tip of Murramurang National Park and this loop track from Merry Beach or Pretty Beach. A few stairs and slopes to manage but you won’t be disappointed when you soak in the views and embrace the nature. This track forms part of the northern section of the Murramarang South Coast Walk, which is detailed below.
Difficulty: Intermediate due to stairs.
8. Murramurang South Coast Walk.
Myrtle Beach view of the Murramarang South Coast Walk. ©
The Murramarang South Coast Walk is located between Ulladulla and Bateman’s Bay, starting from Pretty Beach and ending at Maloney’s Beach. The walk has no shortage of stunning beaches, spectacular cliffs, coastal forests of burrawang and spotted gum and is filled with some of the most intricate and important indigenous history.
Spanning 34 kilometres, the NSW coastal walking track can be broken up into smaller sections or done as one big walk with multiple overnight stays.
Pictured here is Myrtle Beach, one of the raw beauties in Durras, a stop along the Murramarang South Coast Walk.
Difficulty: Easy
9. Middle Beach, Merimbula.
Middle Beach, Merimbula. ©
Accessed by a steep dirt walking track with stairs, this phenomenal beach is one of many beaches found in Merimbula on the Sapphire Coast.
What sets it apart from many other equally spectacular beach walks is the lush surrounding foliage you’re surrounded by to access the beach, plus the crimson-and-terracotta-hued rock formations and rock pools.
Difficulty: Intermediate, due to steep stairs
10. Eurobodalla National Park Headland walk.
Meroo Heads at Termeil Point Beach ©
Just south of Narooma and Handkerchief Beach is a coastal walk full of headlands, glistening panoramic ocean vistas, Montague Island views and cliffs. Not much is known about it, it’s an underrated, somewhat secret south coast spot, but isn’t that the best? Turn down Bogola Head Road and you’ll be able to explore to your heart’s content.
This walk is so underground that I can’t actually find a name for the walk. It is simply called “Coastal Walk” on Google maps.
You’re welcome.
Difficulty: Easy
11. Meroo Head lookout walking track, Termeil.
Meroo Head lookout walking track, Termeil. ©
Turn off down the unmarked, unsealed Meroo Point Road to get to the car park for the Meroo Headland lookout walk. Start your walk at Meroo Head camping ground and follow the signs.
This area was hammered by the black summer bushfires of 2019/20, so take note of all the beautiful new re-growth in the forests and bush. Australian flora is really quite astonishingly resilient.
Difficulty: Easy
12. Ben’s Walk, Nowra.
Ben’s Walk, Nowra. ©
I’m not sure who Ben is or why he has a walk named after him but you’d never guess this pristine and wild walk along the underrated Shoalhaven River is seconds from the bustling hub of Nowra.
Keep your eyes peeled for hidden Indigenous rock art and cool Aussie animals along the way. Some ascents and descents are required, as well as suspension bridge fun plus rock hopping if you so desire (optional).
So it’s technically not a coastal walk, but when a river walk is so lovely, it’d be rude to exclude it, and I don’t wanna be rude.
Difficulty: Easy - intermediate
13. Nelson Lagoon, Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Nelson Lagoon, Mimosa Rocks National Park. ©
This is definitely one of the easier walks, but it still counts as one of the best coastal walks on the NSW south coast. From Nelson Beach carpark, it’s a short and easy walk to the surreal blue of Nelson Lagoon.
You can stay here for user-friendly swimming and paddling or venture around the lagoon for a spot of bird-watching. The entire Mimosa Rocks National Park is just something out of this world, so I recommend taking at least a full day or two to explore as much as you can around here, from Tommy’s Bay to the interesting rock formations around Middle Beach, Tanja.
These walks can be found down more unsealed dirt tracks because, more often than not, off-the-beaten-path is where the best sights are.
Difficulty: Easy
14. Bingi Dreaming Track.
Bingie ©
This trail, located in Eurobodalla National Park, is a deeply significant place for the area’s Traditional Custodians of the land. It stretches for 13.5km along the magnificent Eurobodalla coastline, where you’ll be able to spot the remains of huge shell middens, native flora and fauna, panoramic views of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) and Baranguba (Montague Island), plus of course, dazzling stretches of coast from Congo, all the way down to Tuross.
Difficulty: Easy - medium
15. Target Beach, Beecroft Peninsula.
Prepare for a blissful escape where you can spread your towel without having to jostle for space. There’s a high chance you’ll have the beach to yourself. Here's the secret that sets Target Beach apart—it's on the northern Beecroft Peninsula side of Jervis Bay and takes around a good half-hour walk to get there one way.
While it’s more effort to get to, it means that while everyone flocks to well-known beaches like Hyam's or Murray's, you won't find half the crowds in this little slice of paradise.
Difficulty: Intermediate - hard.
