Dinner at sunset at Tuross Boatshed. Photo: Visit NSW.
Here at Canberra Day Trips, there aren’t many beaches we don’t love, but Tuross Head is a standout. The quiet village encapsulates everything the beach experience should be. Pure, clean air, uncrowded beaches, and a dedicated local community that clearly takes pride in their town and makes visitors feel warmly welcomed.
If your idea of a beach getaway is to escape the hustle and bustle and get up close and personal with the magnificence of the sea, give Tuross a try – you won’t be sorry.
The delightful village of Tuross Head sits between Moruya and Narooma, a few kilometres off the Princes Highway. But as the saying goes, it feels like it’s a million miles from anywhere.
Majestic Norfolk pines line the road from the highway into Tuross, and on each side, heritage grazing lots overlooking sparkling, breathtakingly blue water – Coila Lake on the left and Tuross Lake on the right. And when you think it just can’t get any better, the road crests a hill, and there are breathtaking views of untouched, pristine beach, with the village nestled below.
You won’t find crowds or neon signs at this quiet end of the coast. The neat houses range from original beach shacks that have served their occupants through decades of summers through to sprawling contemporary homes, but the pace of life is relaxed, the air bracingly fresh, and it’s a perfect place to soak up the beauty of nature.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdHA1qglUAA/
Why you’ll love it
- The main beach is patrolled during the summer holidays. If big waves aren’t your thing, there is an area in front of the caravan park where the river meets the sea that’s ideal for paddling, and both the lakes have spots for swimming.
- There is a small shopping centre that stocks most things you’re likely to need, with a pharmacy, supermarket, bakery, newsagent, servo and a few others on site.
- It’s a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, with plenty of options for rock, beach and lake fishing. Kayakers will enjoy getting out on the lake, and we’ve seen people windsurfing and having fun with all kinds of watercraft.
- There are brilliant places to eat. Try the Boatshed on Tuross Lake or The Pickled Octopus nearby, especially at sunset. You get to dine right on the water and enjoy spectacular views.
- There’s plenty of space. You’re unlikely to find yourself elbow to elbow with people you know, and there’s always a spot on the long beaches where you can discover your own piece of beachside paradise.
- Immersing yourself in nature is easy. There are some terrific walks both within the village and beyond. If you have a few hours to spare, try part or all of the Bingi Dreaming track. It’s a walk along the coast that traces the ancient Song Lines of the Yuin Aboriginal people, and the views over rugged coastal terrain are spectacular.
- There’s a terrific shared path/cycleway that goes almost all the way around the village. It follows the ocean and lake foreshores and offers magnificent ocean views, dramatic headlands and rocky outcrops, and plenty of birdlife. The route is well signposted, and you can call into places like the peaceful Memorial Gardens or One Tree Point, which overlooks the main beach and the impressive coastline.
https://www.instagram.com/p/UA6jxsRHf2/
Getting there
Follow the Kings Highway to Batemans Bay, turning right at the major roundabout on the intersection with the Princes Highway. Head south for around 30 minutes, where you’ll see the turnoff to Tuross on the left, just after the Coila servo. Follow the signs to the beach – but you don’t need them because you’ll have a superb view as you drive in.
When to go
Tuross Head comes alive in summer and the milder months, which are perfect for exploring the cycleways, walkways, beaches and outdoor activities.
Key details
- Duration: it’s around a 2 ½ hour drive from Canberra to Tuross Head.
- Distance from Canberra: just under 200km via the Kings Highway.
- Recommended for: anyone wanting to switch off and immerse themselves in the best of what nature has to offer. For a beautifully simple, back-to-basics day at the sea, you can’t get much better than Tuross.
- More information: Tuross Head or Tuross Head Facebook page.
Have you done any of the walks around Tuross? We’d love to hear your feedback.
Loading ...
