South Coast Highlights, NSW

HOW TO GET TO YOUR WALK:
Whether you live in NSW or visiting from elsewhere we give you a number of options to meet us to join your walk.

1. PICKUPS: Complementary pickups at 7.15am from Sir Stamford Hotel, Sydney CBD
2. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: For those catching public transport catch the train to Cronulla and then a short ferry ride to Bundeena Wharf. Once at the wharf its a 3-minute walk to Cafe Manna 2/22 Brighton St Bundeena, where your guide will collect you. The ferry departs Cronulla at 8.30am and arrives at Bundeena at 9 am.
3. DRIVING: For those driving meet us at Cafe Manna Bundeena at 9.00am and we will transfer you to the start of the walk. (Note: the trip ends at Merimbula Airport so if you are driving to the start of the walk please take this into account).

MEET TIME BUNDEENA: 9.00am

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 15-minute transfer from Bundeena to start of the trail. Afternoon: 15 minute transfer from the end of the walk to accommodation.

WALK DETAILS: Approximately 15.5kms. Easier Option 10kms. 6.5 hours walking with breaks. Medium grade.

TERRAIN: Clear track with a firm base, occasional steps and some short steep ascents and descents.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: For those wanting a shorter walk your support guide can meet you on the track near South Era beach and walk you out to our support vehicle. From here we will transfer you to our accommodation to relax for the remainder of the afternoon.

ITINERARY: Today we transfer to the trail by vehicle. Our walk today takes us from the pretty beach of Wattamolla to Otford close to our accommodation where we will spend the night. From Wattamolla we walk to Curracurrang, there is a rock shelter where evidence has been found of Aboriginal occupation dating back 7500 years. We cross the Curra moors which are beautiful in springtime with wildflowers and honeyeaters. The Royal’s heathlands contain over 500 species of flowering plants. From July to November, many of these wildflowers are in full bloom, and you can walk amidst a riot of colour of hakea and kunzea. We continue to Curracurrong where two creeks drop as waterfalls directly into the ocean and spectacular Eagle Rock juts from the cliffs a massive block of sandstone with a tip shaped like the beak of an eagle. We continue through the Curra Moors until reaching the Garie North Head where the views are one of the finest in the park with vistas south to Port Kembla. Large aboriginal midden can be seen from this site near the beach where harvested shells, bones, and tools have been discarded. We pass the historic shacks of South Era, classified by the National Trust as a historic community. The cabins were built and used during the early 1920s through to the depression years of the 1930s. Out of work men supported their families catching fish, rabbits and growing vegetables. Along the way enjoy a delicious lunch. We head down to Burning Palms, the lovely beach is backed by Cabbage Tree Palms, Lilly p\Pillys and other rainforest plants. We cross open grassland before entering the rainforest. Enroute to Palm Jungle we travel through an exposed hillside of lomandra. Both the fleshy white base and the flowers of lomandra were food sources for the local Dharawal people. The Palm Jungle is a rare patch of coastal rainforest dominated by Cabbage Tree Palms. The canopy is closed and the track is cool and shaded. Moss and ferns cover the ground and rocks. Bangalay eucalypts emerge from the canopy and large figs are scattered along the steep slopes. We continue to Otford where our vehicle meets us for the short transfer to our accommodation tonight at the superb Headlands hotel at Austinmer Beach. Relax and enjoy a swim at the beach or just simply soak up the stunning views. Tonight we dine in the hotel’s restaurant where you will enjoy an a la carte dinner accompanied with Australian wines.

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 40mins (40km) transfer from accommodation to start of the trail.  Afternoon: 40mins (40km) transfer back to Paperbark Camp.

WALK DETAILS: Approximately 11.5kms. 4 – 5 hours walking with breaks. Medium grade.

TERRAIN: The terrain varies from native woodland to low scrub.

ITINERARY: This morning enjoy a hearty home cooked breakfast at The Gunyah restaurant before setting out for the day. This walk starts at Abrahams Bosom east end car park and is one of the most popular among adventurers. It takes you to some of the most secluded beaches and provides unrivalled access to the iconic sea cliffs.  It includes the “Wreck Walk” by heading initially north to the wreck of the 1928 shipwreck SS Merimbula then following the shore towards Wilson’s Beach. Here we’ll have morning tea and maybe a swim. Next stop is Lobster Bay, then returning to the main track towards Mermaids Inlet but not before a visit to Gosangs Tunnel. Here there is a narrow 20m long gap through the rock emerging at sea cliffs. The final stretch of Coomies Walk we’ll see an aboriginal rock shelter adjoining the track as we finish this lovely loop walk that offers breathtaking ocean and cliff-top views. Once back at Paperbark Camp enjoy the peaceful beauty that surrounds you in this bush retreat. Enjoy a delicious meal at The Gunyah Restaurant (Aboriginal meaning for meeting place) with specially chosen regional wines.

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 20mins (20km) to Boyd’s Tower and start of the Light to Light walk.

TRAIL NOTES: 13.2km. 4.5 hours walking with breaks. Medium grade. Undulating terrain with short steep hills.

TERRAIN: There are several short steep ascents and descents. The track is well-formed with a firm surface and some rough, narrow sections where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

WALK ITINERARY: Meet your guide in the foyer of the Seahorse Inn after breakfast for our transfer to the start of our walk. We begin our coastal trek at the northern end overlooking Twofold Bay from Boyds Tower and admire this historic sandstone building originally intended to be a lighthouse. Boyd’s Tower was constructed in the late 1840s as part of an ambitious plan by Benjamin Boyd to establish Eden as a major commercial port. He was however denied official approval to use the tower as a lighthouse and the main use for this tower came from shore-based whales of the coastline. We pass open grassy areas such as between Mowarry Point and Leather Jacket Bay, you may see eastern grey kangaroos grazing. Between the gently curving rocky landscapes of Leatherjacket Bay and Mowarry Point, we hike through coastal forests and heath and across red-rocked platforms. Marvel how Mowarry point has a direct line of sight to both Boyds Tower and Green Cape. See if you can pick out other headlands along the way from where you might be able to see a lighthouse. We follow the trail and look out for seals and seabirds year-round, or migrating whales in season, particularly between September and November. Finally, we head to the pristine Saltwater Creek Beach to cool down with a swim or surf. After our walk, we transfer to the charming waterfront Seahorse Inn Hotel for our next 2 nights accommodation. Tonight enjoy dinner in the restaurant featuring fine dining served with wine.

TRAIL NOTES: 8.5kms Medium Grade. 3 hours.

TERRAIN: A combination of gentle hills with occasional steps, short steep hills, and flat areas. 

WALK ITINERARY: After a leisurely breakfast, we set out on our final day towards Green Cape Light station our final destination. Follow a trail that was traditionally travelled by lightkeepers taking supplies that were off-loaded at Bittangabee Bay; look closely for remnants of the old horse-drawn tram track. You’ll find a walkway to the lookout at the tip of Green Cape where you can stop to look for dolphins and take in stunning views across Disaster Bay. Stroll down to the end of the rocky cape and with plenty of good vantage points looking out to the sea, the walk offers an ideal chance to look for whales migrating along the coastline – especially during autumn and spring. Watch out also for seals or seabirds plunging into the ocean waters for a feed of fish. If you’re lucky you may also spot a sea eagle riding the thermal air currents in slow majestic circles, or hovering low over the water before dropping down to catch fish or waterfowl. The Green Cape lighthouse commenced operations in 1883 as part of a plan by Francis Hixson to ‘light the coast like a street with lamps’. This was an especially important development in an age when coastal shipping offered the main communication and supply line between isolated coastal communities and ports such as Sydney and Melbourne. At 29m tall, it was the largest mass concrete structure built in NSW up until that time. Today the light’s operation is fully automated and the NPWS manages the site. Afterwards, our guides will drop you at Merimbula airport at 2.45 pm for your return flight to Sydney.