ICONIC ATTRACTIONS

Bermagui Blue Pool

In the 1930s co-operation between local volunteers, the life saving club, the Shire Council, Bill Dickinson and with the aid of state government grants, saw the Blue Hole blasted and worked into proper rectangular baths and used for training and competition swimming.

Later named the Blue Pool, it is now rated 6 out of 8 of the best ocean rock pools in the world and has been inducted into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame! It is a favourite place for shutterbugs - on a clear day it can be sea blue to green, grey and moody when it is overcast and glorious in pink and mauve at sunrise.

It is an ideal place for the whole family to swim and snorkel in waters washed clean by the ocean. At the top of the steps down to the pool there are accessible toilets and showers, seating and car parking. The viewing platform affords spectacular coastal views to the north and south and it is one of the best shore-based whale watching spots in Bermagui.

Camel Rock

A short drive to the north of Bermagui along Wallaga Lake Road will bring you to the turn off to Camel Rock, a striking rock formation of folded 470 million year old turbidite beds created by underwater avalanches 450 million years ago.

There is a viewing platform, a picnic area in the shade of several large trees, toilet facilities and car and caravan parking. Camel Rock Surf Beach is well known for its great surfing, swimming, snorkelling, rock pools to explore and fishing.

Gulaga Mountain

Seen in the image at the top of this page, Gulaga Mountain is located within the 4,673 hectare (11,550 acre) Gulaga National Park and is a magnificent sight from most places in and around Bermagui. At its highest point it is 806 metres (2,644 feet) above sea level and when it was an active volcano over 60 million years ago, its peak was approximately 3,000 metres (9,800 feet).

For the Yuin people, the indigenous Australians of the area, it is seen as a place of cultural origin and provides the basis for the people's spiritual identity. The first Europeans to sight the mountain were the crew of Captain Cook's ship, HMS Endeavour, when they passed the mountain at a distance of 24 kilometres (15 miles) offshore on 21 April 1770. Cook named it Mount Dromedary as its shape reminded him of the hump of a camel.

For experienced walkers, there is a 5 hour, hard grade, 14 kilometre return walk starting from Corkhill Drive in Tilba Tilba to Gulaga’s summit. Pick up a National Parks guide about the walk at Bermagui Visitor Information Centre.

Horse Head Rock

This remarkable rock formation is believed to be around 500 million years old and is among the oldest rocks in New South Wales. Its sheer size and unspoilt location is breathtaking. Barely known until recent times, it is now a photographer’s ‘must visit’.

Recommended viewing of Horse Head Rock’s unique shape is along the 1.5 kilometre elevated bush walking track between Camel Rock and Murunna Point at Wallaga Lake. If you set out around the coastline from Camel Rock, be aware it is only accessible during low tide and the rocks can be difficult climbing.