Tathra to North Tura

18 km (1623 km) 8 hr

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction. ~Salvador Dali

Overdose of satisfaction indeed. What a day. Another lesser known celebrity walk on the NSW coast that is flying way below its deserved star status - Kangarutha!

Today's walk was the first part of the Wharf to Wharf (Tathra Wharf to Merimbula Wharf) Walk. Excellent track notes available at https://www.wharftowharfwalk.com.au/ . Started out in the gloaming along Tathra Beach past the historic wharf and the wonderful Tathra Pub. Waited for the sun to bundy on then headed to Pig and Whistle Lookout followed by Chamberlain Lookout. Next it was down to the litte natural harbour at picturesque Kianinny Bay. Despite the roaring swell this little cove was completely calm.

This is the northern trailhead of the Kangarutha Track which would be my sauntering home for the next few hours. Can't believe it's not right up there in the great NSW walks list. Throw away the stepmaster, this one is a great cardio workout - up, down, up, down and up and down again and again. Rinse and repeat for most of the way. But every up is an incredible headland and every down is a fascinating inlet.

It is a tremendous trail - on par with anything on the coast and perhaps even better - and with a real wild feel - made even wilder by the still mighty swells; and to top it all off you get to see the wonderland that is Wallagoot Gap near the southern end of the trail.

Standouts? Wild Horse Point then Boulder Bay - incredible - populated by stones that have been worn smooth by the ocean for thousands of years before being casually discarded to form a stoney beach, eponymous Kangarutha Point - dauntingly courageous with its rocky lances ever resolute in a never ending struggle with the pounding seas (spoiler alert, one day the ocean will win). Amazing White Rocks (a short detour), Games Bay, and of course, Wallagoot Gap - entrancing to watch the huge waves reduced to tiny ripples by its sentinel walls. Exquisite Wallagoot Gap has an Uluwatu feel to it and is definitely in the running for a best beach Oscar. Indeed all of the 'finger' headlands and indentations between here and Tathra are just incredible . Somewhere near Kangarutha Point I passed the 1609.344 km/1000 mile mark on this walk - humbly chuffed.

Almost sad to come to the end of the track but compensated by beachfall at isolated Wallagoot Beach followed by Bournda Beach (good camping at Hobart Beach Campground about halfway down the beach), past Bournda Lagoon and then ending the day at the little headland at the mouth of Sandy Creek, with a close up view of majestic Bournda Island. Just a top notch walk. Too good to be true. Fully and completely and absolutely satisfied.

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North Tura to Merimbula

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Wapengo to Tathra