Murramarang South Coast Walk: Cabin package self guided

Day 1: Pretty Beach to Depot Beach

Distance: 10km
Time suggested: 3 to 6 hours 
Toilets at: Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach and Depot Beach
Drinking water at: Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach and Depot Beach

Check the tides before you set out. It's best to start the walk leading into low tide, as you will be walking across several rock platforms over the course of the day. You should always avoid walking on rock platforms if waves are breaking over them. If you are setting off at high tide, the rock shelf can be slippery and exposed to waves. You can take an alternative route via Mt Durras Track near the start of the walk. This will add 1 hour. Tidal information is available at the Pretty Beach camp office and the Bureau of Meteorology website. Start at the trail head and make your way down to Pretty Beach and south towards your first rock shelf. The park's famous beach kangaroos might be there to see you off. Shortly after you start you will reach a small inlet and you may be lucky to hear the Singing Stones caused by waves pushing through pebbles before going back out to the ocean.

You'll walk up over the inlet and pass a small bench where you can take the entire coast in. The track undulates along the coast in and out of spotted gums with views of the ocean. Have a break for morning tea when you reach Snake Bay, an isolated cobbled beach. Then it's back on the trail through more spotted gum forests with that beautiful ocean on your left and a nice view of where you’ve just walked from.

Arrive at Pebbly Beach for lunch or a swim if you’re keen. Pebbly Beach picnic area has facilities before continuing to your final stop for today—Depot Beach. The track from Pebbly Beach to Depot Beach is around 1 hour along the beach and headlands. In parts, you’ll be walking on rock shelf that can get very slippery and exposed to waves, so please take extreme caution. A protruding rock a short distance south of Pebbly Beach may affect your ability to pass at mid to high tide. An alternate route is via the access road coming into Pebbly Beach campground (Mount Agony Road). Turn left at Parkview Road Fire Trail, left at North Durras Road and left at Depot Beach Road. This will add 1 hour.

Go to the office and check-in before heading to your overnight accommodation. Have a well-deserved hot shower, relax on your porch, and watch the night roll in.

Day 2: Depot Beach to South Durras

Distance: 8km
Time suggested: 3 to 4 hours 
Toilets at: NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort
Drinking water at: NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort

Day 2 starts with a beautiful stroll through spotted gums, burrawangs and impressive termite mounds. Check tides before you set out. When you set off in the morning, head back to the campground entrance, turn right on to Depot Beach Rd, then right on to Carr St. Walk to the top of Carr St, which hooks around to the left. You’ll come to a sign that says ‘Burrawang walking track’. Continue here to reach Point Upright lookout.

From the viewing platform you can see day 2 and day 3 stretch out in front of you. You can also see the entrance to Durras Lake. Durras Lake can flow in to the ocean at times of high rainfall and then closes naturally by large seas. When the lake flows to the ocean, the safest way to cross is by pre-booking a kayak transfer with Bay and Beyond Sea Kayak Tours.

Some walkers choose to cross Durras Lake on foot. If crossing on foot, we recommend doing this away from the ocean front. Pick a shallow area (typically this is the widest part of the channel). Make sure you loosen your pack and undo the waist and chest straps. Use walking sticks if you have them to help with crossing. If crossing with a group, cross together interlocking arms. The water may be above your waist and the sandy bottom is soft and uneven. You need to be able to swim.

After Durras Lake, it’s around 3km of beach walking or you can choose to avoid the beach and walk along the road if you prefer.

Your walk for the day ends at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort and you have the afternoon free to explore South Durras. The resort has a bistro for meals and drinks, and if you’re keen you can go for a swim in the pool or ocean.

Day 3: South Durras to Maloneys Beach

Distance: 16km
Time suggested: 5 to 7 hours
Toilets at: Oaky Beach, North Head campground and Yellow Rock Beach
Drinking water not available until the end of the walk at Maloneys Beach

Day 3 is your longest day, but worth the effort. You’ll start by heading back into the bush for more spotted gums, burrawangs and beautiful bays, including Myrtle Beach. You will need to cross the rock platform at the end of Myrtle Beach – you should aim to do this around low tide, and avoid the rock platform if waves are breaking over it.

The trail will lead you from South Durras along the coastline and down into Oaky Beach.

From Oaky Beach, it's less than 2km to North Head lookout where you can see what you’ve accomplished so far. You might be lucky to spot migrating whales between August and November when they're closer to shore. Once you’re done taking in the views, continue around to North Head Beach and then on to Yellow Rock Beach where there are toilets and picnic benches to enjoy.

The final section is about an hour's walk from Yellow Rock to Maloneys Beach. As you reach the trail end going down the stairs at Maloneys Beach, be welcomed back to civilisation by the resident kangaroos.

From here, your transfer will drive you back to Pretty Beach.

If you’re ready to extend your trip in the national park or surrounding coastal towns, try booking Yellow Rock Beach House or Judges House.