Guillotines surf break near Bawley Point, via Visit NSW.
The Bawley Point region is a secluded coastal area, a short drive from the Princes Highway, but the small community nestled between the beach and two national parks has plenty to offer. It’s the perfect destination for exploring coastal flora and fauna, and there are nature-based attractions and activities in abundance, including wonderful beaches and nature walks.
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Bawley Point is one of several peaceful hamlets accessible via Bawley Point Road from the Princes Highway, with others including Kioloa and Merry Beach.
Why you’ll love it
- Taking the turnoff to Bawley Point not only leads you to the village of Bawley Point itself, but you’ll also be within minutes of stunning, generally quiet beaches including Gannet Beach, Racecourse Beach, Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach and others. Our favourites are Kioloa which is more protected from the swell, and Merry Beach, because of the terrific walk up Snapper Point headland that sets off from the caravan park.
The string of beaches on the beautiful coastline of Bawley Point offer surfing fun for kids and beginner surfers on smaller swells. From the normally tiny waves of Bawley Beach, cruisy waves at Gannet Beach and the more challenging Cormorant and Murramarang Beaches, there is normally a wave suitable for beginner and progressing surfers.
- Pebbly Beach, Merry Beach and several others let you get up close with virtually tame kangaroos ambling along the seashore next to surfers and beachgoers, and there is often the opportunity to hang out with other wildlife. We’ve seen goannas and echidnas down by the shore several times.
- There are countless beaches and headlands, lakes and rivers to explore. The beaches are fabulously unspoiled, and because many are within the national park, you’ll find there are no houses or developments in the vicinity.
- All the favourite holiday beach activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, surfing, fishing and boating are at your fingertips.
- The magnificent Murramarang National Park is a short distance away. If time permits, check out some of the bushwalking trails.
- Horse riding, mountain bike tours, tennis and other facilities are also available locally.
- Merry Beach Takeaway offers some of the friendliest service we’ve experienced on the south coast, and their fish and chips are delicious.
- Bawley Vale Estate and Mimosa Wines have plenty for the wine connoisseur.
- The Bawley Point Iron Man is a popular annual event which takes place in early January at Gannet Beach, and as well as flag racing and a beach volleyball competition.
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Getting there
Bawley Point sits just about halfway between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla, and it’s about 30 minutes in the car from either place. Take the Kings Highway from Canberra, through Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Braidwood. When the Kings Highway meets the Princes Highway just outside Batemans Bay, follow it north, and you’ll find yourself at the turnoff to Bawley Point Road, near Termeil, in around half an hour. It’s the only sealed access road in and out of the region. Follow it to a t-intersection with Murramarang Drive, which will take you along the coastline and to Bawley Point and all the other attractions of the area.
Key details
- Duration: Allow just under 2 ½ hours.
- Distance from Canberra: 180 kilometres from the centre of Canberra.
- Recommended for: a nostalgic beachside escape from holidays past, where the best of untouched natural environments are at your doorstep: When you visit us, you should not expect the facilities and services of modern tourist centres. We have no 5-star hotels (but some wonderful guest houses), no cinemas, no casinos and no heated swimming pools. Even more surprising, there are no hotels, no clubs, no poker machines. Indeed, apart from the highway and the few main access roads to the villages, there are few sealed roads. Bawley Point Shoalhaven Coast
- More information: South Coast Leisure Times.
It was a difficult to decide which of the Bawley Point area’s offerings to feature in this article, because there are so many. We particularly like the walks and the surf beaches, but if you’ve visited recently, what do you like best about the area?
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