South coast secrets: The little known coastal adventures
Dreaming of an action-packed weekend cave diving or swimming with seals? This insiders guide will tell you everything you need to know about what thrill-seekers can enjoy on the south coast.
The South Coast News
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From cave diving and swimming with seals, to natural rock water slides and secluded beaches; they’re the little known adventures waiting for you on the south coast.
We reveal some of the south coast’s best kept secrets, and explore the thrills waiting for you when lockdown ends and the weather warms up.
Lara Hindmarsh from Woebegone Freedive said south coast residents, and those living in nearby Sydney and Canberra, were lucky to have a wide range of adventures in their own backyards.
“We take people to explore a new world that not many people know about,” she said.
“We have a permit to swim with the fur seals, and with the migrating humpback whales. That is super fun, and it’s right here in Jervis Bay.”
Miss Hindmarsh said the reactions of people when they come face-to-face with wild animals in the water was priceless.
“Jervis Bay is a very underrated dive spot. People travel to places like Tonga for this, but you can get it here,” she said.
“I think Covid-19 has been good in that it is making people realise what they have in their backyard, and renewing their love for the outdoors.”
Shoalhaven Tourism said their 100 Beach Challenge was designed to get people to move through the area, and explore little-known gems.
Cave diving and swim with the whales in Jervis Bay
Only accessible by boat, the sea caves in Jervis Bay are home to an array of sea life and will give you a story to tell your friends for weeks, if not months.
The colossal sandstone cliffs and sea caves will leave you breathless and are well-worth the effort. There’s very few tour companies offering trips to the site, but they are available.
Woebegone Freedive also hold a licence to take small groups to swim with whales in the bay, but if you don’t see whales, you’re almost certain to swim with seals. Lara Hindmarsh, from the tour company, told the South Coast News people of any experience can enjoy the adventure.
If you want to stay close, you can camp at nearby Greenpatch, which also has lots of beaches to explore and sites to see.
Explore the coastline at Aragannu
On the far south coast, this idyllic spot is located between Tathra and Bermagui.
The campground is a great place for a beach escape, with Aboriginal heritage to explore, fishing spots to discover and walking tracks to enjoy.
Sites are unmarked and unpowered, and mobile reception is limited – giving you time to switch off.
From the camping area, it’s a short walk to the Mimosa Rocks track, which takes you along a short walkway to a lookout.
While you’re there, explore the nearby Nelson Lagoon, which is popular among wildlife.
Walk to Steamers Beach, Jervis Bay
Not for the faint-hearted, this trek through bushland is certainly worth it and will leave you feeling secluded.
After navigating your way off the highway and onto Jervis Bay Road, make a right turn onto Wreck Bay Road. Follow this for 2 kilometres, before making another right turn onto Stony Creek Road.
This is an unsealed road, but you’ll only need to stay on it for a kilometre before you see the carpark for the Steamers Beach walk.
The two-hour return walk through the bush includes a steep set of stairs.
You’re going to want to pack water, food and sunscreen for this one, as you walk through the middle of the Booderee National Park.
Caution should be taken if you are planning to swim at Steamers Beach as it can be exposed to powerful surf and rips and currents are common.
Meet the Seals at Narooma
Visit the seals of Narooma, which aren’t hard to find. Sometimes they’re often on the footpaths around the inlet area.
But if you’re really after a thrill, book a diving tour to Montague Island, where you will see a seal colony in all of its glory.
In crystal clear water, play with the native fur seals and other marine life while you’re near the island.
Narooma is located about five hours south of Sydney, and three hours from Canberra.
Explore Snake Bay
Don’t worry, you won’t be taken by snakes.
Snake Bay is a small and beautiful isolated beach that is only accessible through the Pretty Beach to Pebbly Beach Walk in the Murramarang National Park.
Located south of the Pretty Beach campground, about four hours south of Sydney, you’ll get onto the track by walking onto the beach and south around the headline until you see a bushtrack.
The walk is 5.6 kilometres return, and takes you through rainforest gullies and along deserted beaches.
Singing Stones beach is also a hidden gem found on this walk.
Do the Gulaga Mountain Walk
Near Tilba on the far south coast, this spot is significant to the Yuin people of the south coast.
A forested ancient volcano, the steep track up the mountain was built in 1894 for gold miners. To get to the walk, head off the highway into Tilba Tilba, and park near The Avenue.
You’ll find a gravel path between the cafe and carpark, which will send you up the mountain.
The 14-kilometre return walk is hard, but worth it. There’s a rest spot where magnificent giant granite craters are hidden in the rainforest.
But, if you push on to the summit, you’ll have spectacular views of the coast.
Feed the Stingrays at Bawley Point
The large stingrays are often close to shore at Bawley Point, and will let you feed them. But, they are wild animals, so be cautious.
They come into the boat ramp at Bawley Beach, south of Ulladulla, and eat fish scraps from fishermen gutting their catch.
While you’re there, you can jump off the Gantry and explore the old timber mill site.
Climb The Castle
The Castle walk is one of the most challenging, but rewarding day hikes in the region – but you need to plan your trip and have some experience in the bush.
In the Morton National Park, it’s a short drive from Milton.
The first portion starts near the Yadboro River just off Long Gully Road and is an easy trail, but it gets harder as the track traverses towards the saddle of the mountain. Many spots do not have trail marking and, once you reach near the top, there are some vertical climbs to conquer.
Once you’re at the peak, you’ll feel on top of the world – looking down on nothing but national park.
If you aren’t a confident bushwalker, Big Nature Adventures offers a guided walk to this picturesque spot.
Explore Murrays Beach sea cave
On the southern side of Booderee National Park, Murrays Beach sea cave is a short drive from Nowra.
You’ll find white sand, sea life, calm water and the sea cave.
You can also walk up to the neighbouring Governor Head Lookout, and explore Bowen Island and the penguin colony that lives there.
Spend time soaking up the sites at Mystery Bay campground
At Mystery Bay, you’ll catch on the glimpse of the migrating whales, and find lots of secluded beaches and walking tracks. It’s just 10 minutes south of Narooma, where you can get a fishing charter and drop a line off the continental shelf.
The nearby Bingy Dreaming Track, about half an hour north, will take you on a trail, following the ancient routes of the Yuin Aboriginal people.
- For more information about the region, and to plan your trip, the Shoalhaven Tourism website is a good place to start.
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