Ulladulla to Warden Head and Rennies Beach
9 km (1363 km) 3 hr
Once again delighted to be kicking off the next stage of my NSW coast walk - this week from Ulladulla to Batemans Bay with the iconic Murramarang Walk in the latter part of the week.
Arrived in Ulladulla in the early afternoon after a train to Bomaderry (lovely trip) and then an interlude at Hanging Rock and Ben's Walk in Nowra, before a short bus ride to Ulladulla.
Grateful to arrive near low tide so I could enjoy the Gondwana Coast Fossil Walk around the Warden Head rockshelf. Apparently this is one of only 7 sites of its kind in the world. Fascinating, and easy to imagine every indentation or exdentation (if that's a thing) is a million year old fossil - probably better done with a fossil guide if you want to be scientifically precise rather than creative!
At a lowish tide you can walk past the ocean pool and all the way around this incredible headland to perfect little Corcoran Cove and Rennies Beach. Nice little swell this afternoon too for a few happy locals.
From Rennies I then headed back towards Warden Head via the excellent Coomee Nulunga Cultural Walk and the Warden Head Walking Trail to the Lighthouse (cast iron, erected in 1873) - excellent spot to watch the sunset and the near-full moonrise. Then a hasty return to Ulladulla central via the Gari Bagan Cultural Trail.
Warden Head has a bafflingly enjoyable number of side trails, loops, lookouts and whale watching spots. A lot more to Ulladulla than just its delicious seafood. Definitely worth an afternoon (at least) to take it all in.
All in all a great little warm up for the majestic days of coastal treking ahead with the iconic Murramarang Walk in the latter part of the week.
I had a little chuckle reflecting on the most common phrase in the school reports of my youth - 'Keaney is just coasting'. I've wokely decided to reappropriate the term 50 or so years later to suit my Dreamtime to Eden trek. "What are you doing these days?" "Still just coasting!"
Tomorrow will be Ulladulla to Bawley Point with many more fantastic headlands and beaches to meander along, around, up and over, as well as a few tricky inlets to negotiate. Can't wait!