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Murramarang South Coast Walk: Camping only

Murramarang National Park

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Overview

Take on this spectacular multi-day experience that traces 34km of the Murramarang coastline. Arrive and stay the night at Pretty Beach. The next morning, start your walk from Pretty Beach to Maloneys Beach, camping 2 more nights at coastal campgrounds along the way.

Grey icon of a clock face, representing time or duration. Image: DPE  4 days 3 nights

Grey icon of a walker on a map routeline, representing distance. Image: DPE  34km Grade 4 - Bushwalking experience recommended

Grey icon of a tent, representing camping. Image: DPE  Camp at Pretty Beach, Depot Beach and Oaky Beach

Grey icon of a dollar symbol, representing price. Image: DPE  From $160 for up to 2 people. $40 per extra person. No transfers

Grey icon of a calendar, representing availability. Image: DPE  Available March to November, 7 days a week

Where you stay

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Pretty Beach

Day 1, you arrive at the start of the walk and get prepared for the coming adventure. Go through Bawley Point and stop off for any last minute supplies before arriving at Pretty Beach in Kioloa. Get briefed at the camp office, then set up your tent and settle in for the night. If you have time, you can explore the area with a walk to Snapper Point lookout or Murramarang Aboriginal Area. Your multi-day walk begins tomorrow.

Day 2: Pretty Beach to Depot Beach

Distance: 10km
Time suggested:
3 to 6 hours 
Toilets at:
Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach and Depot Beach

Check tides before you set out as it's best to start the walk leading into low tide. Tidal information is available at the Pretty Beach camp office and the Bureau of Meteorology website. Start at the trail head and make your way down to Pretty Beach and south towards your first rock shelf. The park's famous beach kangaroos might be there to see you off. Shortly after you start you will reach a small inlet and you may be lucky to hear the Singing Stones caused by waves pushing through pebbles before going back out to the ocean.

You'll walk up over the inlet and pass a small bench where you can take the entire coast in. The track undulates along the coast in and out of spotted gums with views of the ocean. Have a break for morning tea when you reach Snake Bay, an isolated cobbled beach. Then it's back on the trail through more spotted gum forests with that beautiful ocean on your left and a nice view of where you’ve just walked from.

Arrive at Pebbly Beach for lunch or a swim if you’re keen. Pebbly Beach picnic area has facilities before continuing to your final stop for today—Depot Beach. The track from Pebbly Beach to Depot Beach is around 1 hour along the beach and headlands. In parts you’ll be walking on rock shelf and it can get very slippery so please take extreme caution. If the rock shelf causes concern, there’s an alternative route from Pebbly Beach to Depot Beach over the headland. Details can be found at the information board. The hardest climb of the day is the stairs from Depot Beach to the campground. 

Go to the camp office and be briefed before setting up camp at Depot Beach campground. Have a well-deserved hot shower and relax around a campfire with your fellow walkers.

Credit: John Spencer. <HTML>© DPIE

Day 3: Depot Beach to Oaky Beach

Distance: 16km
Time suggested: 6 to 8 hours 
Toilets at: NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort and Oaky Beach

Day 3 is the longest day but rewards you with varied scenery. Set off in the early morning to get the most out of today, and check tides before you set out. The first section is through beautiful spotted gums, burrawangs and impressive termite mounds. After a short walk up the headland you'll reach Point Upright lookout.

From the viewing platform you can see day 3 and day 4 stretch out in front of you. You can also see if the Durras Lake crossing is safe to cross. If the lake crossing is under water and unsafe to cross, head back to Depot Beach campground. There's phone reception at the top near the lookout or you can go back down and use the Telstra pay phone on Fairley Street, but the staff at Depot Beach office are there to help.

From Point Upright make your way down the stairs and onto the beach for the lake crossing. It's then around 3km of beach walking or you can choose to avoid the beach and walk along the road if you prefer.

At the halfway point enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort after your beach walk. You should leave before 2pm to get to Oaky Beach before dark. Head back into the bush for more spotted gums, burrawangs and beautiful bays.

When you reach Oaky Beach campground, set up camp underneath the forest canopy. Go down to the beach for a swim and stargaze in the evening.

Credit: John Spencer. <HTML>© DPIE

Day 4: Oaky Beach to Maloneys Beach

Distance: 8km
Time suggested: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Toilets at: North Head campground and Yellow Rock Beach

Day 4 is a nice easy way to finish your journey.

It's less than 2km to North Head lookout where you can see what you’ve accomplished on the previous day. You might be lucky to spot migrating whales. From here, continue around to North Head Beach and then on to Yellow Rock Beach where there are toilets and picnic benches to enjoy.

The final section is about an hour's walk from Yellow Rock to Maloneys Beach. As you reach the trail end going down the stairs at Maloneys Beach, be welcomed back to civilisation by the resident kangaroos.

Enjoy some well-deserved refreshments at Batemans Bay or extend your trip in the national park or surrounding coastal towns. If you want to stay longer in the national park, try booking North Head campgroundYellow Rock Beach House or Judges House.

Credit: John Spencer. <HTML>© DPIE

Is this walk right for you

This is a Grade 4 walk but the terrain is mostly flat and gentle, with some short, steep hills. In a few small sections you’ll be walking on slippery rock platforms and cobbled beaches, and depending on tides and rainfall may need to cross Durras Lake. This trail can be walked by first time multi-day walkers and families with older children. A good level of fitness is required because you'll be walking 3 to 8 hours per day carrying a backpack with camping equipment, food, water and safety supplies.

Price and inclusions

4 days, 3 nights camping

From $160 for up to 2 people. $40 per extra person. Includes 3 nights camping.

What to bring

This is a 4 day self guided walk so you'll need to carry a waterproof backpack with a capacity of 50 litres (up to 15kg) and a dry bag. Pack enough food for 4 days and 3 nights, at least 2 litres of water, camping equipment and safety supplies. Water is available to fill up at Pretty Beach and Depot Beach campgrounds but it's tank water so you'll need to boil it before drinking. On day 3 you'll pass NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort where you can buy lunch and fill up on water. There is no water at Oaky Beach campground. After leaving the NRMA Resort there is no water until you reach Maloneys Beach (around 16km). You’ll need at least 4L of water for this last section of the walk. 

 Check our bushwalking safety tips to make sure you pack all the essentials and are wearing the right gear. You should also download the NSW National Parks app and take a map of the walk with you.

Wheelchair access

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Weather and seasons

Spring: The track comes alive with wildflowers and birdlife. Daytime temperatures generally reach 24 to 27 degrees.

Autumn: You’re likely to spot humpback whales, especially from May to June. The days are generally dry and crisp with an average maximum temperature of 21 degrees.

Winter: Temperatures are perfect for hiking with milder weather during the day and nights being somewhat colder so bring warm clothes. The beaches, campgrounds and villages will be quieter and you will get to experience the area as a local.

See the Bureau of Meteorology website for more detailed information on the weather and tides.

For more information

  • National Parks Contact Centre
  • 7am to 7pm daily
  • 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles