TRACK NOTES
SOUTH COAST WALK THE MURRAMARANG
Words James McCormack Photography James McCormack & Quincy McCormack Sydney Murramarang NP
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WILD
QUICK FACTS Activity: Multi-day hiking Location: NSW South Coast Distance: 34km one way Duration: 3 days (as described, but can be done in less) When to go: Year-round Difficulty: Medium (Grade 4) Permits required: Necessary if staying in NPWS campgrounds Car shuttle required: Yes Navigation: Best done by the NPWS phone app
Rainfall (mm)
CLIMATE: BATEMANS BAY Temperature (C)
THE SOUTH COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES offers some of Australia’s finest coastal scenery. Few sections are better, however, than that along the route of NSW’s newest ‘Great Walk’, which opened only in April 2023: The Murramarang South Coast Walk (SCW). It’s a fabulous hike of 34km through Yuin Country down a stunning section of crinkle-cut coastline, with a seemingly endless string of jewelled, secluded beaches studded by rocky headlands. In fine weather, there are more shades of blue here than there are shades of green in Ireland. It’s not only the coastline that’s beautiful, though; impressive forests of tall spotted gum with thick understoreys of burrawang cycads lie along the route. And the fauna is a major attraction. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll see hundreds of ‘roos, but sightings of wallabies, pademelons, possums, sea eagles, lyrebirds, wonga pigeons, seals and dolphins are all common, plus whales at the right time of year. Another beauty of the Murramarang SCW is its many options. Although the walk will largely be promoted as being a north-to-south three-dayer, alternatives abound. With the numerous villages and campgrounds along the way, you can stay in tents, cabins or AirBnbs; coupled with the walk’s many access points, you can choose an itinerary that best suits you. The walk is far from entirely new, though; bushwalkers (and indeed the Yuin People) have long walked this stretch of coast. But large sections of old track have been upgraded, and in some areas, entirely new track has been constructed. By formalising these tracks into a ‘Great Walk’, the NPWS has created a route that will surely become one of the state’s favourite walks.
