The Bermagui Coastal Walk is the iconic walk around the area and is a great dog-friendly hike. You can walk beside the ocean, through town, over the inlet and among coastal bushland all the way up to the calm waters of Wallaga Lake. Travelling this route, you will also come across the Bermagui Heritage Trail and some of the Yuin Cultural Heritage Trail markers with their signposts recognising the people and places that have helped to shape the area as well as sacred places, legends, history and achievements of the local Yuin Nation people.
Length: 10 km one way
Grade: Easy to Moderate
There are two distinct sections to this trail, the town section and the coastal bushland section. It can also be broken into a few more sections as there are car parks with ease of access along the route. The trail itself is a combination of the paved walkways, gravel, sand and bush tracks and is about 10 km one way and is easy to moderate grade.
The trail begins at Beares Beach on Scenic Drive, just south of town. Following the coast north, you will come across Blue Pool, but dogs are not allowed here. It is worth a look if you have someone to look after your dog as it has been rated as number 6 in the top rock pools of the world. Continuing along the coast, you will come to Dickinson Point, a headland that will provide you with an awesome vista across the ocean down to Camel Rock. This is an off-lead park but is also home to outdoor events at times. When we visited they had a sculpture exhibition, which showcased the talent of local artists.
Horseshoe Bay is a lovely swimming beach that is protected most days from the ocean swell. It is also patrolled during the summer months and is dog friendly at times, just check the signs. You can then walk out to the end of the rock wall on the southern side of the Bermagui River mouth. Heading back to the main road, you will come across the Fishermen’s Wharf complex where you can grab a hot or cold drink, Gelati or even stop for lunch. Once you cross the Bermagui River, you and your four-legged walking friends have the option to continue walking along the cycle/walkway or walk along Moorshead Beach. The boardwalk through the wetlands of North Bermagui Lagoon is a dog-free area all year round. Either way, if you decide to travel, you will end up at South Tilba Rd, which is the end of the town section.
From here you will enjoy views across the bay area and walk along Hayward Beach. This is a ‘dogs on leash area’ all the way up to Camel Rock Beach where there is a stretch of off-leash beach. Camel Rock Beach is a fantastic place to let your dogs have a run around as there is plenty of soft sand between the dunes and the water. At certain times, there can be a number of dogs along this stretch but you can always find your own piece of beach to play. From the beach, head up to the car park and pick up the track that leads through Murunna Point Reserve which allows dogs on leash from the 1st of May until the 30th of September.
There are areas within the reserve that are sacred to the Yuin Nation people, so just make sure you stay on the track and your dog stays on lead. You will be able to take in the awesome view from atop Murunna Point which looks up and down the coastline. Rounding the point you will come to the mouth of Wallaga Lake, which is a fantastic spot to stop for a photo. The trail then continues down from the headland, and along the lake edge to finish at the picnic area and playground at Wallaga Lakes Heights. There is no shelter here, but it is a great spot to cool down in the clear waters of Wallaga Lake. The lake has quite a healthy marine life population, but the fish proved smarter than the people trying to catch them as we never saw anyone catch them.
If you are thinking of staying in the area and want to know what else there is to do, you can check out our Dog-Friendly Destination guide for Bermagui for all the information.
Sam Martin
Sam is the ‘other’ human half of Puppy Tales HQ….and Keiko & Summer’s other parent. Sam combines his love for his family, animals, travel and the outdoors to get the most out of life. The snowfields, surf beaches and everything in between is on the agenda for Sam and his best mates. He knows that by giving your dog a great life, it comes to your own life with interest.
