TOURS
Guided Tours
Montreal Goldfield
In September 1880, gold was discovered on a beach north of Bermagui. Named Montreal Goldfield, the rush only lasted from 1880 to1883 but nearly 250kg of gold was unearthed using only a pick and shovel. It became the only goldfield in Australia that extends into the sea.
Montreal Goldfield is great outing for families, experience seekers and interest groups of all ages. The guides are all trained local historians and will reveal the mysteries and anecdotes of times gone by. Peer down the vertical mine shafts, follow boardwalks and compacted paths through the beautiful native forest, re-grown since the days of the gold rush moonscape where time has brought back to life a forest of tree ferns, eucalypts and orchids, inhabited by sugar gliders, lizards and diverse bird life. A browse through the Heritage Centre highlights the intriguing stories told by the guides.
Tours run Thursday to Sunday (except Good Friday and Christmas Day) and can operate on reduced days during winter. ADMISSION TO THE SITE IS BY GUIDED TOUR ONLY. Arrive by 1.45pm for tour start at 2pm sharp (latecomers are unable to join once tour has commenced). Bookings are only required for groups of 10 or more. Tour cost: $7.50 adults, $5 children, family up to 4 children $25.00 - cash or card. Time: approx 1¼ hours. Length: 600m walking distance, wheelchair accessible. Surface: boardwalks and compacted paths. Toilet facilities and drinks available. Special arrangements welcomed for large groups. Dogs are welcome, must be on leash and under owner control at all times.
769 Wallaga Lake Road, Wallaga Lake (next to BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park)
Ph: 02 6493 3054 (Bermagui Visitor Information Centre)
Website
Tilba Talks Heritage Walks
Experience living history through a guided historical narrative of Central Tilba. Learn about the cultural significance of the landscape, the founding families and delight in rare insights into Australia’s earliest National Trust village.
Walks are open for bookings from 7.00am to 4.30pm. For more information on all walking tours and to book online go here or email tilbatalks@gmail.com or phone 0433 114 374. Follow Tilba Talks Heritage Walks on Facebook here.
Self-Guided Tours
Bermagui Heritage Trail
Follow the Bermagui Heritage Trail to discover people and places of historical significance in Bermagui’s settlement and days gone by. The trail covers several sites around the town and nearby areas with sign boards providing information and images. The trail extends over 15km from Cuttagee Beach in the south to Wallaga Lake Bridge in the north. A trail location guide and Bermagui town map, which has the sign locations marked in a green box with a white H, are available from the Bermagui Visitor Information Centre.
Bermagui VIC, 3-5 Bunga Street, Bermagui
Ph: 02 6493 3054
Yuin Cultural Heritage Trail - Bermagui & Wallaga
The nine information signs on this 15km long trail are an initiative of the Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council, Bermagui Primary School and the Far South Coast Branch of the National Trust. They recognise the sacred places, legends, history and recent achievements of the Djiringanj Clan of the Yuin Nation who have been the custodians of this country for 40,000 to 50,000 years. A location guide is available from the Bermagui Visitor Information Centre, along with a Bermagui town map which has the trail sites marked by an orange box with a white Y. A beautiful colour booklet with detailed information on each trail site is available to purchase from Bermagui VIC.
Bermagui VIC, 3-5 Bunga Street, Bermagui
Ph: 02 6493 3054