Murunna Point to Cuttagee Bridge
15 km (1563 km) 7 hr
An easy, civilised saunter today with a sublime sunrise at Murunna Point on the southern side of Wallaga Lake.
Dragon Tail and Horse Head Rocks are two named features of the steep craggy canyons and incredible rocky extensions in this lovely headland walk. Just breathtaking.
Camel Rock (nice animal theme going) then marks the northern end of Haywards/Camel Rock/Four Mile Beach which extends down to Hayward Point. I enjoyed a coffee near to a sunbaking seal who nonchalantly ignored me - A1.
The Grotto (about 1km north of Hayward Point) was a nice resting stop after the early morning wizz along the firm sand (although the southern part of the path is closed due to erosion damage - aka it has collapsed onto the sand due to dune erosion).
It was a somewhat tricky path up to the summit of Hayward Point (just follow the fence line) but my reward was a sublime observation tower looking north to Mystery Bay and south to Bermagui Sunrise Point.
Bermagui Lagoon and Moorhead Beach followed before heading out to Bermagui Rockwall Beach and then inland along Bermagui River Beach to cross at the main bridge.
After observing the mighty tuna catch being delivered to the coop from a trawler it was time to go back along the river to Sunrise Point past Bermagui Main Beach and out to incredible Dickinson Point.
Next was the Slot, the Big Steps, Anchors Cove and amazing Bermagui Blue Pool - looking extr majestic today with plenty of seals frolicking nearby.
Love Bermagui - a 10/10 coastal town with its beautiful river, picturesque headlands, cute harbour, superb beaches and excellent Bermi Pub
It's is a place that really repays a careful walk around the cliff edges (eg next to Pacific Drive). It would be easy as a through walker to take the Tathra Rd to head quickly out of town but the cliffscape and little coves are too rewarding to miss. I loved checking out the grassy hilltop verges and all the hidden tracks to clifftop viewing points such as Bilima (Golden Turtle) Rock and Python Cove. There is also plenty of Yuin interprative signage which adds a deeper perspective to some of the less well-known coastal treasures.
Heading south out of town next up was pretty Beares Beach (there's a rope exit up the backing cliff to a ridge track at the southern end) and then a steep track down to Breakaway Beach which was also a real gem. No easy way from there to lovely Michael Lerner Lookout except for the nearby Tathra Road for a few clicks.
Ended the day with a view of wonderful Cuttagee Bridge and then a car reckie down to Aragunnu Beach to suss out the probable end of tomorrow's walk - anyone with recent info on Armands Beach to Murrah Head, swimming the Murrah River/Lagoon and/or the best way around Bunga Head from South Bunga to Mimosa Rocks greatly appreciated (by sunrise tomorrow ). The local NP office doesn't seem to be returning my calls and the little info online is a bit dated. Oh well, where there's a will there's a way...
I appreciated the relatively easy walk today - no wet water crossings, crisp winter sunshine the whole way, blue, blue sky, plenty of variation and just the right distance. Exactly the perfect sandwich between the more complicated days yesterday and tomorrow.
That's the great thing about walking the NSW coast - every day is outstanding and every one is special in its own unique way - wild or tame it's always glorious.
While I don't really know the best route for tomorrow I like a little touch of excitement, and exploration always adds some spice to a day's southward saunter. On on...