Pambula River walking track
Pambula-Haycock area in Ben Boyd National Park
Overview
Pambula River walking track in Ben Boyd National Park is a short walk that offers scenic views along the coast and whale watching and birdwatching from the lookout.
- Where
- Pambula-Haycock area in Ben Boyd National Park
- Distance
- 1km return
- Time suggested
- 20 - 40min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- Please note
- It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out and remember to take a hat and drinking water.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching or whale watching.
- Strong rips and currents may be present at this beach – take care in the water and please supervise children at all times.
If you’re after a feeling of tranquillity, this peaceful walk meanders gently along the Pambula riverbank. Offering charming river vistas, it winds through coastal woodland to a lookout with scenic views across Severs Beach and Pambula River.
Pambula River walking track is a relaxing stroll, ideal for families and nature-lovers keen to take in the unspoilt natural beauty of Ben Boyd National Park.
The track starts at the mouth of Pambula River, offering lovely views of Haycock Point. Information signs dotted along the way highlight the area’s rich cultural history.
Bring your binoculars to see a wide variety of birdlife including sea eagles, and you may even spot dolphins or stingrays in the crystal clear waters of the river. Pack a thermos and enjoy a break at the secluded inlet before retracing your steps.
Map
Map
Map legend
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/pambula-river-walking-track/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in the Pambula-Haycock area of Ben Boyd National Park in the South Coast region
The Pambula-Haycock area of Ben Boyd National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Pambula River walking track.
Track grading
Grade 4
Learn more about the grading system Features of this track-
Time
20 - 40min
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Quality of markings
Limited signage
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Gradient
Gentle hills
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Distance
1km return
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Steps
Occasional steps
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Quality of path
Rough track, many obstacles
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Experience required
No experience required
Getting there and parking
On entering Ben Boyd National Park:
- Drive to Pambula Beach and park at the river mouth
- Walk down onto the beach, around the corner, and past the boatsheds.
- Steps to the lookout and the trackhead can be found here
Parking
Parking is available at the Pambula River mouth at the end of Coraki Drive, Pambula Beach – a short walk from the attraction.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Ben Boyd National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Camp at Bittangabee Beach campground and see lyrebirds performing their characteristic dance and tail display.
Spring
Visit Green Cape Lighthouse or Boyds Tower to spot whales migrating south to their Antarctic feeding grounds - you might even see females with young calves.
Summer
Plan a camping trip to Saltwater Creek - to enjoy the lagoons and beautiful surf beach.
Winter
Take the Light to Light walk when it's nice and cool and the banksias are in bloom.
Maps and downloads
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 dogs and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Pambula River walking track is in Pambula-Haycock area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal culture
The Yuin People are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Ben Boyd National Park and they have a long and complex relationship with the coastal environment. Some of the best preserved mounded middens on the east coast of Australia are found in the park along the Pambula River. These middens contain the shells of oysters, mussels and sometimes the bones of sea and land mammals—collected by Aboriginal people from the rock platforms, reefs and estuaries along the park’s coastline.
- Severs Beach Severs Beach, in Ben Boyd National Park in the whale watching town of Eden on NSW’s Sapphire Coast, offers Aboriginal heritage, fishing, beach walks and more.
Rocks tell a story
The park’s stunning rock formations, inlets and headlands are the result of extensive geological folding. Most of Ben Boyd National Park lies on red, brown and green shales, sandstones, siltstones and quartzites. These were formed in the Devonian period around 360 million years ago, before dinosaurs roamed the earth. You can see these rock types exposed along the cliffs and headlands. The Devonian period is known as The Age of Fishes and internationally-significant fish fossils have been found in several places along the park’s coastline.
- Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track The walk from Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach in Ben Boyd National Park takes in whale watching, scenic coastal views, wildlife and birdwatching opportunities.
Refuge for threatened species
Several threatened species take refuge in the Pambula-Haycock area. North of Pambula River there's an important population of yellow-bellied gliders—listen carefully for their trademark crackles and shrieks. Around 50 native mammals and nearly 150 species of birds have been recorded in Ben Boyd National Park. This includes 1 critically endangered bird, 4 endangered animal species and 25 vulnerable species.
- Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track The walk from Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach in Ben Boyd National Park takes in whale watching, scenic coastal views, wildlife and birdwatching opportunities.
Plants and animals you may see
Animals
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Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
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Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus)
The largest fur seal, Australian fur seals are found in isolated rocky outcrops and islands along the NSW coast. They come ashore to form breeding colonies and can often be seen at Montague Island Nature Reserve.
