TRACK NOTES
ce
sH
w
y
To Ulladulla
Kioloa
Pr in
MURRAMARANG SOUTH COAST WALK
Pretty Beach Campground
START
Pretty Beach Singing Stones Beach Dawsons Beach
Clyde River
Durras Mtn
Snake Bay
Pebbly Beach Campground
Pebbly Beach Depot Beach Depot Beach Campground
North Durras Durras Lake
North Durras Beach
Lakesea Park
South Durras Beach
Big4 South Durras
South Durras sH
w
y
NRMA Murramarang
Cookies Beach Mill Beach
Pr in
ce
Emily Miller Beach Dark Beach Myrtle Beach Oaky Beach Campground
North Head Maloneys Beach Campground
Batemans Bay
0
128
2.5
5
7.5
Ye Q llo ui w rrig Ro a N or ck Be th B ac H ea eac h d h Be ac h
FINISH
Richmond Beach Oaky Beach Honeysuckle Beach
L Lookout
NORTH HEAD
10KM
Map data © OpenStreetMap
DIFFICULTY & NAVIGATION
CROSSING DURRAS LAKE
For the most part, walking the Murramarang SCW is pleasantly easy. High tides, however, can change everything, making some parts—notably Durras Lake (see next section), some bits south of Pebbly Beach, and sometimes Myrtle Beach, too—unpleasant, or difficult, or even impossible. It’s really important, therefore, that you download or print a tide chart before setting off. Despite the NPWS touting the walk as being well signposted, there was virtually no signposting in the walk’s bottom third at the time of its opening (April 2023). The top two-thirds, however, were adequately marked, and it’s likely the bottom section will catch up soon. Nonetheless, be aware that if you do the walk not long after this issue goes to print, signposting may not be completed. As a result, it’s highly recommended that you download to your phone both the NPWS app and the Murramarang walk info (ensure the latter is available offline). While the app is sometimes clunky, its ability to use your phone’s GPS to display exactly where you are in those unsignposted sections is really useful. It’s also recommended that you contact the NPWS office at Depot Beach Campground to find out about the Durras Lake crossing and conditions in general: (02) 4478 6582; 9AM-4PM.
The crux of the entire Murramarang South Coast Walk is crossing Durras Lake. The lake is what’s known as an ICOLL, an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake and Lagoon. When closed, the crossing is not even the slightest bit difficult; it’s as dry as crossing the sands of the Sahara, I’ve been told. But when open, the waters can be ankle/thigh/chest-deep or more, and there’ll be times (although this is rare) when even at low tide you’ll either be pack floating and swimming or arranging transport. Waiting until low or mid-tide can help, but this is not guaranteed. (One of my crossings of the lake was thwarted at mid-tide). Also, be aware that there can be up to an hour or so’s lag between the coastal tides and the inlet tides. But here’s an important tip, one gleaned from locals: If the waters seem too deep, head inland to where the entrance broadens. Depending on the tide, you may find 50m in is sufficient, but it gets less deep still if you go 200-300m in, around to a spot where there’s a grassy flat and a few houses. If you can’t make your way across, there’s the option of contacting Bay and Beyond Tours (there’s a section on their website about offering assistance to walkers with the crossing: bayandbeyond.com.au).
WILD
