Cullendulla Beach track

Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

A secluded stretch of sand in the protected waters of Batemans Bay, Cullendulla Beach offers terrific swimming, birding and a great place to launch a canoe up the creek.

Accessibility
Medium
Distance
2km return
Time suggested
30min - 1hr
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • Shore birds are best seen on low tide. It’s a good idea to check the tides charts beforehand.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
  • Recreational fishing is allowed in the bay. However, Cullendulla Creek is a sanctuary zone, so it’s a good idea to check the recreational fishing maps for permitted activities.

Just an easy walk along a beautiful boardwalk, Cullendulla Beach has pride of place in the nature reserve, right at the mouth of the creek where it enters the bay. Superb views to Snapper Island and the Tollgate Islands are paired with plenty of things to do, including picnicking.

In low tide, this is a great spot for birding, with local and migratory species such as curlews and oystercatchers feeding on the sandy flats near the beach. Sometimes large flocks of swans collect nearby, offering dramatic displays when they take off or land on the bay. Though unpatrolled, the water’s relative calmness means Cullendulla Beach also offers an opportunity to swim. Or for something a little more adventurous, drag out the canoe and drift up the creek for a leisurely afternoon.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

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/walking-tracks/cullendulla-beach-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Cullendulla Beach track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

2km return

Time

30min - 1hr

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Flat

Steps

No steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    Cullendulla Beach is in the western precinct of Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve. To get there from Batemans Bay:

    • Follow the Princes Highway to North Batemans Bay and Surfside, turning right onto Peninsula Drive.
    • Turn into McLeod Street, Timbara Crescent, then Myamba Parade.
    • A carpark is available off Myamba Parade, adjacent to Surfside Beach. The walk starts from here: follow a short boardwalk to Cullendulla Beach.

    Parking

    Parking is available at a public carpark off Myamba Parade, Surfside.

    Best times to visit

    Spring

    Migratory birds arrive from Russia, Asia, northeast China, and Europe for the warmer months, foraging on the sand flats where you can see them from Cullendulla Beach.

    Summer

    Break out the canoe or kayak and beat the summer heat with a refreshing paddle up Cullendulla Creek.

    Winter

    Make the short hike to Square Head to do the Mangrove walk, watching how the landscape changes in high and low tide.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    15.5°C and 23.5°C

    Highest recorded

    43.3°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    6.5°C and 17.2°C

    Lowest recorded

    0°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    March

    Driest month

    August

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    275.3mm

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Beach safety

    Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    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).

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - medium

    • A flat boardwalk winds from the carpark to Cullendulla Beach for almost 1km. The boardwalk consists of open timber slats on the sandy ground.
    • Some assistance may be required for wheelchairs, prams, and visitors with limited mobility along the boardwalk, and on the short grass area between the carpark and start of the walk.
    • It's possible to continue along the beach to connect with Mangrove walk loop. While a boardwalk section of Mangrove walk is wheelchair-accessible, parts of the track are sand or rough dirt track with many tree roots, making wheelchair access hard.

    Medium access presents some minor difficulties, such as a grassy surface. You may require a little assistance to get around in some areas.

    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

    Cullendulla Beach track is in Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Aboriginal culture

    Cullendulla Creek, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve. Photo: Mat Makeham

    Cullendulla Creek holds several ancient Aboriginal midden sites, including rarely recorded mounded midden sites. The Mangrove walk is a great way to engage with the past lives of people here, weaving through areas where mud oysters, mussels and shellfish were once collected.

    Birdwatchers' haven

    Mangrove walk, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve. Photo: Mat Makeham

    Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve is home to mangrove estuary (and two mangrove species, the grey and river mangroves), forest red gums, littoral rainforest, and sea grass beds. The reserve is also a fish nursery for the Clyde River. Unsurprisingly then, a substantial mix of forest and shorebirds visit the area annually, including white ibises, curlews, two species of spoonbill and several of duck. Migratory birds come from as far away as Russia, taking refuge in the warm weather.

    • Cullendulla Beach track A secluded stretch of sand in the protected waters of Batemans Bay, Cullendulla Beach offers terrific swimming, birding and a great place to launch a canoe up the creek.
    • Square Head track 1 This short walk offers rich rewards, leading to the entrance of Cullendulla Creek, perfect for an afternoon picnic and swim near the shorebirds.

    Remarkable dune formations

    Cullendulla Creek Beach, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve. Photo: Mat Makeham

    The nature reserve contains important and unusual dune formations called cheniers. Roughly parallel to the shoreline, these long, low (3-6m) and narrow ridges overlay estuarine mud and are of great scientific interest for the information they provide about the evolving landscape - some 7000 years worth of changes. There are nine beach ridges at Cullendulla; the most northerly two are cheniers. Though they're not directly visible to visitors, a fascinating boardwalk tracks through the mangrove estuary, accompanied by signs which offer a keen insight into the local ecosystem. For the best overview, visit in both high and low tide and compare the differences.

    • Mangrove walk An easy walk offering great birdwatching opportunities, Mangrove walk is partly along an elevated boardwalk, giving an insight into the unusual dune formations.

    Education resources (1)