The Murramarang South Coast Walk is a breathtakingly beautiful hike situated just south of Sydney, nestled perfectly between the charming towns of Ulladulla and Batemans Bay. It is a trail offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Typically, this walk is promoted as a delightful 34-kilometer excursion, to be savored over the course of three days staying in designated campgrounds. However, we opted for a slightly different approach, seeking a touch of indulgence and comfort by making Marramarang Holiday Resort (a fancy name for a Caravan Park) our home base instead. This allowed us to complete the walk in just two days, yet still immersing ourselves fully in the magic and allure of the South Coast.
Not sure where the extra 3km came from but all up we walked 37km over the two days.
The coastal walk winds its way alongside the soothing rhythm of the rolling waves, with its mixture of sandy shores, pebble beaches and scattered rock platforms, meaning you are not restricted to the narrow confines of a track. If the weather proves kind, the call of the ocean may beccon you in for a refreshing swim. But even on a cool and cloudy weekend such as ours, the allure of the coastline was equally refreshing. From the mysterious Dark Beach, its sands cloaked in a shade of gray, to the golden sands of Yellow Rock Beach, every stretch of shoreline whispers its own unique story.
While the walk is graded as a level 4 difficulty, there are actually very few challenges involved if you plan your walk strategically. One potential obstacle to consider is the crossing of Durras Lake inlet, which can prove to be quite a challenge when it is open to the ocean, often requiring a deep wade across. However, on the day of our visit, we were fortunate enough to find the inlet closed off by a natural sand barrier. Another section of the walk that may pose some difficulties is the rock platforms, especially during high tide. Yet, by carefully timing your walk and ensuring that you venture out during low tide, this section can be navigated without any major issues.
The ocean becomes natures master sculpture, eroding and shaping the rock platforms into a myriad of eye-catching shapes.
The south coast, with its breathtaking coastal views and pristine beaches, is not only a haven for nature lovers, but it is also renowned for the iconic eastern grey kangaroos that call this place home. It's a common sight to see these creatures leisurely grazing on the lush coastal grass shores, seemingly undisturbed by the constant parade of curious walkers.
It's not all coastal scenery along this walk. While the majority of the route offers breathtaking views of the shoreline, there are delightful moments when the path ventures deeper into the bush. Here, a mesmerizing forest of spotted gums reveals itself, their majestic trunks towering above. In the midst of this enchanting setting, a vibrant green understory of burrawangs, an Australian cycad, adds further splashes of color to the scene.
The hills and majestic cliffs that line the walkway not only offer stunning views but also give rise to a multitude of microclimates. These microclimates, in turn, nurture a diverse array of plant life, transforming sections into palm-filled gullies bursting with an abundance of delicate orchids and vibrant ferns.
Natures art
It is easy to see how Singing Stones Beach's got its name. One cannot help but be captivated by the symphony of sounds that fill the air as the smooth, multicolored stones seem to come alive as the waves flow between them creating a magical melody of gurgling and wooshing. With every rise and fall of the tide, it is as if nature herself has composed its own music symphony.
Clearly not a day for swimming. The Blue Bottles carpet the beach, their irridescent blown up bodies lining the shore from one end to the other like small discarded baloons.
A cute furry spiky little friend
