Beaches and Islands

A large surf beach offering extensive amenities including the Batemans Bay Surf Life Saving Club and a small shopping complex situated opposite. Recent upgrades include a viewing platform with an accessibility ramp, amenities block, picnic tables, BBQ, and updated playground facilities. The southern section of the beach boasts interesting rock formations, and a spacious foreshore reserve adds to its charm, making it a beach suitable for all visitors. Note that the beach is regularly patrolled, but it’s advisable to refer to the surf life-saving website for precise details.

A completely secluded beach, accessible by walking from Rosedale Beach. It is enveloped by dense native forest and towering headlands with fascinating rock formations. There are no amenities available at the beach or in the vicinity.

This location offers a delightful surprise—a vast, one-kilometre-long beach, generously spacious and ensconced by towering indigenous trees in the small village of Rosedale. Scenic walks to neighbouring beaches in both northern and southern directions present themselves, with a splendid view of Jimmies Island to the south. Notably, there are no facilities available on-site.

A secluded small cove located at the southern end of the Rosedale Beach headland. Accessible by walking from Rosedale Beach, passing by Jimmies Island. The beach is surrounded by tall cliffs and forest, creating a tranquil and serene character due to minimal development. Note there are no amenities available at this location.

The name “Tranquil” befits this beach perfectly. Accessible by a walk through the tall spotted gum forest from Guerilla Bay, this small, secluded beach rests peacefully between two towering headlands. It is favoured by hikers seeking a secluded retreat off the usual path. There are no amenities.

A rugged beach, surrounded by dense bushland and the village of Guerrilla Bay, provides a distinctive setting that attracts artists seeking to immortalize the landscape. The northern part of the beach is characterized by the tremendous ‘Guerilla Rock,’ providing protection for swimmers. This notable geological site attracts geologists worldwide for research. Additionally, it is a favoured spot for scuba diving, snorkelling, and kayaking. Nearby, a rewarding bushwalks on Burrewarra Point leads through an ancient forest, past remnants of a WWII radar station, and a quaint lighthouse. While amenities are limited, there is a small car park and picnic tables at the northern end of Beach Parade.

Broulee Beach is divided into two sections: North and South. formerly known as Bengello Beach. South Broulee, a lengthy 7 kms and scenic stretch of beach, is shielded by renowned Broulee Island and is a popular spot for tourists, especially families. It hosts the annual Broulee Sand Modelling Competition during the Christmas holidays. The beach’s southern tip meets the break-wall and airport north of Moruya. Village shops are situated across from Northern Broulee Beach. The beaches offer excellent fishing opportunities, great diving and snorkelling around the island, and some of the finest surfing on the South Coast. The beach is well-protected, with gently sloping sands, making it perfect for families. Don’t miss the chance to explore Broulee Island, a nature reserve offering stunning coastal views whilst you are there.

Depot Beach, situated within Murramarang National Park, boasts a picturesque shoreline teeming with native wildlife, crystalline waters, and inviting swimming spots. Adjacent to Depot Beach lies its campground and the quaint village of Depot Beach, comprising only two streets. Nestled behind the beach is a brief rainforest trail, showcasing an endangered ecosystem that provides a glimpse into the prehistoric landscape of the south coast millions of years ago.
Nearby and adjacent to Depot Beach is Pebbly Beach.

Pebbly Beach is a picturesque sandy shoreline renowned for its unique feature of kangaroos that frequent the area. Local kangaroos are known to visit the beach for a refreshing swim during warm afternoons or relax on the dunes overlooking the beach. Unlike many beaches in Murramarang National Park, Pebbly Beach provides convenient car access, ample parking facilities, amenities, and a viewing platform. Despite its name, to reach the renowned Pebbly Beach, located to the south, visitors must navigate a rocky platform. This area boasts a stunning large pebbly cove adorned with multi-coloured pebbles, the size of tennis balls or even bigger.

Bawley Beach is a standout. Shielded by a headland, this beach is a favourite among locals for its diverse surf breaks. Particularly renowned is the Guillotines surf break, known for its shallow barrelling waves crashing against the adjacent rocks, providing spectators with a captivating view. For those seeking tranquillity amidst the waves, the centre and southern section of the beach offers secluded spots for swimming and snorkelling and the chance to spot the graceful stingrays that call this area home. Adjacent to the beach lies Bawley Point Reserve, equipped with facilities, a grassy picnic area, and a children’s playground, providing an ideal setting for leisurely lunch breaks. To the south of the beach stands the celebrated Gantry, reconstructed post-storms by Canberra businessman Terry Snow and the local community.

Located approximately an hour south of Batemans Bay, Lewis Island in Narooma commemorates Clarence Lewis, a pioneering oyster farmer. More than 80 years ago, Lewis erected a shed on the sandy island and nurtured the oyster leases in the vicinity. Accessible via Riverview Road’s end through a service road and a brief walk across a footbridge, Lewis Island holds ancient fish traps near the footbridge. While the island poses risks like water hazards and oyster shells in certain areas, it radiates a mystical charm with discoveries waiting to be unearthed. In 2017, dedicated residents took on the task of fortifying the eroded bank with coir fibre logs, replenishing the sand bank, and planting 300 seedlings. This concerted effort aimed to safeguard the island and its access from wave-induced erosion and retreat. Undertaking erosion control measures on an island presents logistical challenges but a rewarding experience for visitors.

Brush Island, situated within the Brush Island Nature Reserve, holds historical significance as Mit Island in the Dhurga language of the Murramarang people from the Yuin nation. During his inaugural voyage to the South Pacific Ocean, Captain James Cook first spotted Brush Island on 22 April 1770. This 47-hectare island, located approximately 2 kilometres southeast of Bawley Point village, was established as a nature reserve in July 1963, primarily serving as a crucial breeding ground for seabirds. Recognized as a registered site on Australia’s National Estate, the island features an unmanned lighthouse. Its coastline is characterized by steep, rocky cliffs with erosion gullies primarily on the northern side, offering habitat to a significant population of little penguins. The island is covered with coastal vegetation, including herbs, low shrubs, and a large population of stunted trees. Diverse seabird species, such as wedge-tailed and short-tailed shearwaters, little penguins, and sooty oystercatchers, nest on the island. Notably, white-faced storm petrels and sooty shearwaters were first observed on the island in 2008. In 1932, Brush Island faced a black rat infestation following the grounding of the steamer Northern Firth. The National Parks and Wildlife Service successfully eradicated the rat population in 2005, preserving the island’s ecological balance. Kayaking and fishing are the most popular activities enjoyed off the island’s shores.

Quandolo Island is situated within the Moruya River Estuary, South Moruya Head and 20 minutes from Clyde View Holiday Park. The island can be reached during low tide by traversing the mudflats and navigating through the mangroves. The blooming River Mangroves and intricate webs woven by Golden Orb Spiders in the Grey Mangrove forest add to the island’s natural charm. The panoramic vistas from the island encompassing the river estuary and surrounding mountains are truly picturesque.

30 minutes South of Batemans Bay on Tuross Lake, Tuross Head is Coopers Island and Horse Head. Cooper Island stands out as a significant site where some local indigenous families engaged in seasonal agricultural work. Oral records trace activities back to the 1930s, with the most recent accounts dating to the 1950s. Noteworthy for its ceremonial burial trees and archaeological findings indicating shellfish consumption, Horse Island boasts diverse ecological zones that sustain various natural resources, from swans to shellfish. Nestled in an estuary of Tuross Lake.  Horse Island serves as the private sanctuary of a local resident. The island showcases a stunning garden meticulously curated by them over a period of 25 years, exclusively featuring Australian indigenous flora. Tuross Head is famous for its emu population. In a compassionate move in 2000, the owners, aware of the local emu extinction on the south coast, introduced a dozen emus from Western Australia onto the 80-hectare island. Despite being flightless, these emus surprised Tuross residents with their swimming prowess, becoming beloved inhabitants of the island’s beaches. Another notable Island of less significance in Lake Tuross is Reedy Island. There are numerous activities visitors can enjoy from kayaking, swimming, fishing, boating and photography, specifically emu dads strolling the beach with their offerings in toe or sighting a remarkable kangaroo frolicking in the shallow waters.

The island, situated south of Batemans Bay near Tomakin, bears the name of a European settler. However, its history dates back significantly farther with extensive Aboriginal heritage, evidenced by numerous artifacts and ancient human and animal remains spanning thousands of years. Tourists, fishing enthusiasts, and snorkellers frequent the adjacent Barlings Beach and Long Nose Point Nature Reserve, drawn to their natural beauty and attractions.