Bermagui Rocks

We had not long introduced our second little boy into the world when we decided it was time for a day trip. We decided on a roadtrip down to Bermagui, a small coastal fishing town of about 1600 people on the Far South Coast of NSW. It shares ownership of two well known rock formations with Wallaga Lake being Camel Rock and Horse Head Rock. Our trip would make a stop in Bermagui itself to have a swim at the Blue Pools as well.

At the time we had my mother down offering her wisdom on all things about raising a child, wisdom that can only be gained by those sporting grey hair..... we all know one, a Gandalf the Grey type character that is overflowing with wisdom.

Anyway we got our boys ready for the 80 minute trip South, packed the Weber BabyQ to assist us in the consumption of food for lunch and packed items for swimming and the beach visit. Gandolf grabbed her staff and we jumped in the car for the journey south.

Travelling down the Princes Highway would see us pass the riverside town of Moruya, skirt past the lakes surrounding Tuross Head, through the cheesy little village of Bodalla (they make cheese), Narooma, past the Two Tilba Towns, over Wallaga Lake and onto Bermi.

It's a great scenic drive passing inlets, rivers, lakes, coastline, farms and more and is worth the drive in itself.

We arrived in Bermagui passing the modern wharf and marina precinct and past the hip cafes and boutique stores to the headland above the Blue Pools. It is a well set up area offering views South Down the Coastline, parking areas, toilets and a good staircase that leads you down the cliff to the stunning ocean pools. The coastline of the Far South Coast is truly spectacular with its relatively untouched natural state, trees and shrubs command the million dollar views from the clifftop coastline as opposed to multi million dollar holiday homes that remain empty 360 days a year like in some other areas.

We parked up and after the hour long task of getting the two little ones ready we made our way down the stairs to the pools. Considering the heat of the day I was surprised to find that the ratio of water to people at the pool that day was very good and not a single old man in red speedos to be seen.

Gandalf and my wife weren't to swim so I took my oldest boy into the deepest pool with its natural rock pool floor complete with fish, crabs and all things squishy that you come to expect from a rock pool. There is a smaller and shallower ocean pool but at the time it was sporting a greener colour that really didn't look inviting.

After some relaxing swimming we felt quite refreshed for a short time until the sun dried the salt to our skin making us feel like anchovies on a "Mario's Special" pizza.

We jumped back in the car and headed to Bermagui Point at Dickinson Park. This is the main point with the Marina on one side, looking straight out across the water to Mt Gulaga and on the Southern side the main beach.

It was the perfect spot for lunch so out came the BabyQ, the sausages, bread and sauce and before you know it we were chowing down on our sausage sangas that would put any Bunnings store to shame. As we ate we enjoyed watching the sport fishing vessels coming and going from the marina, watching the dolphins and whales in the bay and marvelling at the spectacular view of Mt Gulaga which makes its presence known up and down alot of the Far South Coast.

After eating we would point the car North again and head back toward Wallaga Lake, pulling into the Camel Rock Beach carpark we started the hour long task of getting the children out and ready to hit the beach.

Walking to the viewing platform I laid eyes on the rock they call Camel Rock. Like Australia Rock at Narooma I could kind of see what they were getting at. But its kind of like a child saying every cloud looked like a dragon,or a shark. I thought it was a bit of a stretch to think it looked like a camel. If it had a bit more of a nose it could pass as a camel sitting down.

Exploring the Northern rocks of the beach near Camel Rock itself Gandolf and I stuck our heads around the corner toward Horse Head Rock. Scrambling over the fallen boulders it wasn't the easiest access. Halfway round Gandolf called out in a booming voice as she slammed her staff into the rock, "I shall not pass" before returning to chill with the boys and Sarah on the beach.

I continued on my solo journey seeing the giant rock arch formation ahead of me. Well there you go, now this rock formation actually genuinely deserves its name. It looks like a horses head, just the head, a bit of a mafia M.O in all its glory.

I grabbed a quick photo followed by 762 more from every angle you could think, on my haunches, on my belly, upside down, with one shoe on and one off. Awesome, what a cool place to see.

I made my way back around the cliff face to the family before we spent some further time enjoying the beach and then heading home. It was a great day that left the little ones fast asleep in the back seat as we journeyed home.

Bermi Marina with Mt Gulaga in the background

Tip: Plan you visit to Horse Head Rock around the low tide to access around the base of the cliff and think about having the sun behind you later in the day to photograph Horse Head Rock.

The Nuts and Bolts:

Where: Bermagui/Wallaga Lake, Far South Coast of NSW

How far from Sydney: 5 Hours South

When: Pick the warmer months, to enjoy the best of swimming and fishing etc.

How Much: The three sites are free, plan for food and fuel, accommodation if necessary.

Acommodation options: Motels, Caravan Parks, camping, he odd bridge underpass.

Other activities: Swimming, fishing, hiking, Kayaking , Charters- Historic Tilba, Mystery Bay, Mt Gulaga.

Nearby National Parks: Gulaga, Mimosa Rocks