Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah

Conjola National Park

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Overview

Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah is a scenic cycling route through Conjola National Park to Monument Beach. Great for picnicking, birdwatching and spring wildflowers.

Distance
11km one-way
Time suggested
2hrs
Grade
Medium
Opening times

Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • There's limited mobile reception in this park
  • The weather in the area can be extreme and unpredictable. Please be well prepared for your visit.

Gather a group of friends for a cycling adventure on Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah in Conjola National Park. Enjoy lunch at Monument Beach picnic area. This route makes for a great day out, taking in heathland and forest before reaching the coast.

You’re likely to see some swamp or red-necked wallabies on your ride. And if you hear a soundtrack of high-pitched calls, it’s probably from the bleating tree frogs nearby.

A monument to the clipper ship Walter Hood, wrecked on this south coast in 1870, can be found at Monument Beach. For a longer ride, return via Heath circuit.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cycling-trails/walter-hood-ride-from-cudmirrah/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah begins in the north-east precinct of Conjola National Park. To get there:

    • Drive to the end of Goonawarra Drive, Berrara.
    • Look for signs indicating the start of the ride

    Road quality

    Check the weather before you set out as the road to Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah can become boggy when it rains.

    Parking

    Parking is available in the council reserve on Goonawarra Drive opposite Cudmirrah shop.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Conjola National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    As the temperature cools slightly, this a great time to get active in the park with some bushwalking and mountain biking.

    Spring

    The wildflowers – waratahs and wattle among them – are in full bloom, bringing with them large numbers of birds. You might even be lucky enough to spot the rare Scalet Honeyeater or Little Lorikeet.

    Summer

    Hot weather means plenty of time for the beach and water. Keep an eye open for the endangered hooded plover and other shorebirds foraging on the sand.

    Winter

    The light is clear and beautiful and the beaches and trails very quiet – just the thing if you prefer exploring with few other people around.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    19°C and 24°C

    Highest recorded

    40.6°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    10°C and 18°C

    Lowest recorded

    -3.2°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    May

    Driest month

    September

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    316.7mm

    Facilities

    Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    This park or attraction is in a remote location, so please ensure you bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.

    Cycling safety

    Hundreds of cyclists head to our national parks for fun and adventure. If you're riding your bike through a national park, read these mountain biking and cycling safety tips.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    Prohibited

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Learn more

    Walter Hood ride from Cudmirrah is in Conjola National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Aboriginal influence

    Swan Lake, Conjola National Park. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    The land around Conjola National Park has been home for the Budawang and Yuin people for about 6000 years. There are many Aboriginal sites in the area, including middens, campsites and rock shelters. At Fishermans Rock, the midden contains fragments of mussels and mud oysters that were once meals for the local Aboriginal people. You'll also see some axe-grinding grooves in the sandstone.

    • Berrara Creek Popular with families, Berrara Creek becomes a beautiful lagoon that leads to the beach. Put your canoe in and paddle upstream, go swimming or fishing.

    Animal planet

    Banksia (Banksia ericifolia) Conjola National Park. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    With open forests and scrubland, there are plenty of places to find Conjola's wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for eastern grey kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, brushtail possums and gliders, along with a huge range of cockatoos and parrots, black swans and herons. As well as providing the perfect place for swimming, canoeing, fishing and water sports, the three lakes adjacent to the park - Conjola, Berringer and Swan - are a significant habitat for many birds, such as little terns, the endangered hooded plover and pied oystercatchers.

    • Berrara Creek Popular with families, Berrara Creek becomes a beautiful lagoon that leads to the beach. Put your canoe in and paddle upstream, go swimming or fishing.
    • Heath Circuit Get close to nature on Heath Circuit, a 24km loop bike ride along signposted trails.

    Driving force

    Couple walking on Monument Beach, Conjola National Park. Photo: Michael Jarman

    You can easily explore Conjola from the comfort of your car. Some of the tracks and trails that take you through forests, past the lakes and to the ocean are even accessible for 2WD vehicles in dry weather. One of the most popular drives is from Cudmirrah to Monument Beach picnic ground, following Goonawarra Drive, Blackbutt Road and Cedar Road. Just take care as you're driving along, because you'll be sharing the trails with cyclists, walkers and horse-riders as well as wildlife, which also cross the tracks mainly in the early morning and late afternoon.

    • Berrara Creek Popular with families, Berrara Creek becomes a beautiful lagoon that leads to the beach. Put your canoe in and paddle upstream, go swimming or fishing.
    • Monument Beach picnic area Set in a forest behind the beach, Monument Beach picnic area is a quiet base from which to take a short walk and learn about the history of the area.

    Maritime monument

    Monument Beach ride from Bendalong, Conjola National Park. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    In 1870, 12 men lost their lives when the clipper Walter Hood struck rocks off the coast between Bendalong and Berrara. A monument, erected in 1927, marks the burial site of the drowned captain and crew. it is a short walk from the Monument Beach picnic area.

    • Monument Beach picnic area Set in a forest behind the beach, Monument Beach picnic area is a quiet base from which to take a short walk and learn about the history of the area.
    • Nerindillah Lagoon walking track The short and easy Nerindillah Lagoon walking track takes in Monument Beach, historic heritage including the Walter Hood monument, and is great for birdwatching.

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