Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track

Murramarang Aboriginal Area

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Overview

Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track is a 2.2km loop track that passes middens and other sites of great Aboriginal cultural and historic significance.

Distance
2.2km loop
Time suggested
1hr - 1hr 30min
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen
Please note
  • Please leave Aboriginal artefacts undisturbed – you will be helping to preserve them.
  • This section of the coast is part of Batemans Marine Park.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird watch or whale watch.

Give yourself a couple of hours to immerse yourself in the surroundings on the 2.2km Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track along the coastline. Interpretive signs offer insight into some of the most culturally significant Aboriginal sites along the track. The beginning of the walk is along a sand track from the carpark, and the undeveloped location is very evocative, making it easier to imagine how the landscape would have looked thousands of years ago when large numbers of Aboriginal people lived here.

As well as the cultural significance, the walk offers incredible coastal views, including clear views to Brush Island . You might see kangaroos grazing on the grassland or sea eagles soaring overhead as you’re ambling along. Don’t forget your swimmers either – when the weather is warm, you’ll definitely want to go for a splash in the waves.

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/murramarang-aboriginal-area-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

2.2km loop

Time

1hr - 1hr 30min

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    To get to Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track from Ulladulla:

    • Follow Princes Highway south to Termeil
    • Turn left onto Bawley Point Road and drive to its end
    • Turn right into Murramarang Road
    • About 2.5km down the road, you’ll come to Sand Mines carpark on the left.
    • Leave the car behind and walk along the sand track towards the coast, where you’ll find the start of Murramarang Aboriginal Area walk.

    Parking

    Parking is available at Sand Mines carpark, a short walk from the beginning of the walk.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you at Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Here are some of the highlights.

    Spring

    The coastal vegetation comes to life when the wildflowers bloom, and the temperature is perfect for taking the Murramarang Aboriginal Area walk.

    Summer

    It's a great time for enjoying the sea, so take a dip in the ocean, snorkel off the rocks, or bring your board to catch a wave.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    16°C and 25°C

    Highest recorded

    43.3°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    7°C and 16°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.

    Fishing safety

    Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing 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).

    Permitted

    Fishing

    A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

    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

    Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track is in Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    First sightings

    Coastal views, Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Photo: Lucas Boyd

    When Captain Cook first spotted what he would later call Pigeon House Mountain from the sea, he sailed towards the coast to see if he could find a safe place to anchor. On 22 April 1770, he made his first sighting of Aboriginal people - some in bark canoes, others on land - here at Murramarang. Incidentally, the Aboriginal name for Pigeon House is 'Didthul', which is connected to the ocean through Dreaming stories. The first white settlers came to the area to graze cattle and cut timber in the late 1820s.

    In a flap

    Wildflower, Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Photo: Lucas Boyd

    Because of the preservation of nature here and its proximity to the coast, Murramarang is a great place to go bird watching. There are many species of threatened seabirds - including the sooty oystercatcher and hooded plover - living on the beaches. Swan Lagoon is an important habitat for waterbirds, including the black swan, little pied cormorant and white-faced heron. Sea eagles and osprey can often be seen swooping over the water.

    Vast Aboriginal history

    Murramarang Aboriginal Area walking track, Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Photo: Lucas Boyd

    There are very few sites on the NSW South Coast with this much heritage. Material found at Murramarang has been dated back to an astounding 12,000 years. The headland, with its rock platforms, fishing, and nesting sea birds, was an important meeting point for Aboriginal people. Large fires where people cooked their food would have been visible for miles, and some archaeological finds suggest people in this area ate whales and dolphins. These days, the area is still used by local Aboriginal people for fishing, recreational and educational activities. Signs along the walking track identify some of the most important features of the area.

    Education resources (1)