What? Holmes Lookout.

Where? Clyde River National Park, NSW.

How do I get there? From Nelligen continue along the Kings Highway towards Batemans Bay for 5 km. Turn right at Rotary Drive and continue along for 1.3 km.

Directions For Holmes Lookout

Backgrounder? Just minutes off the Kings Highway, Holmes Lookout is a spectacular vantage point inside the Clyde River National Park. Looking out across the mountain ranges and thickly timbered slopes you can see the final stages of the journey of the Clyde River as it winds its way through forest before widening out into a broad estuary. Look to the east and you'll see the river pass under the bridge into the town of Batemans Bay, and then continue until it meets the Pacific Ocean. Picnic tables and BBQ's are nestled underneath tall eucalypts, making this a wonderful spot to savour a picnic lunch as well as the view.

What? Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens.

Where? The Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens is located on a sizeable 42 hectare forest site five kilometres south of Batemans Bay. These glorious gardens display plant species that occur naturally within the region such as the Yellow Everlasting above.

How do I get there? From Batemans Bay, follow the Princes Hwy five kms south. An unmistakeable sign on the highway directs you off to the left.

Backgrounder? Much more than just a display of flora this complex also includes a café, walking tracks, picnic and barbeque facilities, information centre and herbarium. These gardens abound with a plethora of regional flora, that consists of around 2000 species found within the region. While local fauna consists of kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, possums, echidnas, snakes, lizards, frogs and many bird species.

What? Mogo Zoo (not strictly a Natural Wonder, but rules were meant to be broken!)

Where? A privately owned zoo situated just a few minutes drive from Mogo village, Mogo Zoo is home to an incredible collection of more than 200 animals. With over 42 rare and exotic species from around the world, you'll soon forget that you're on the South Coast of NSW! 

How do I get there? Drive south along the Princes Hwy pass through Mogo vilage then turn left into Albert Street. This becomes Tomakin Road, continue along for 2 km to the zoo.

Backgrounder? Mogo Zoo is as much a sanctuary for endangered animals as it is a tourist attraction, providing a home for many species displaced and endangered by the destruction of their natural environment. The roll-call of inhabitants is impressive; silvery gibbons, chimpanzees, snow leopards, ring tail lemurs, Brazilian tapir, spider monkeys, giraffe, zebra, tigers, cotton-top tamarins, Nepalese red pandas, meerkats, oriental small clawed otters, and the only white lion pride in Australia. In early 2010 the zoo celebrated the birth of Manzi, a baby Rothschild giraffe. Little Manzi is just too cute, so come soon and see her while she's young! Regular keeper talks and feeding sessions are held, and the well-maintained grounds have picnic tables and BBQ facilities.

What? North Durras

Where? Durras Lake is a 6 km long, narrow body of water that cuts the Murramarang National Park almost in half. The area north of the lake, known as North Durras, has a small village, a number of beaches, and great access to the lake and the national park.

How do I get there? From Batemans Bay travel north on the Princes Highway for 14 km. The turn-off is to the right into Mount Agony Road, clearly signposted as "Durras Lake North - Depot Beach". Travel for another 14 km to get to the coast.

Backgrounder? As soon as you turn off the Princes Hwy you'll know you're on the road to somewhere special. A well-sealed dirt road takes you on a gentle incline through magnificent forests of spotted gums with glimpses down gullies lush with rainforest, until you summit and start to descend towards the ocean.

Once on the coast there are a number of beaches to chose from; Pebbly Beach, home to many kangaroos that graze on the grasslands above the beach, Depot Beach, and Durras Beach. Bush trails and pathways link all the beaches, as do ancient rock platforms, giving you the chance to really explore the whole area. If you're feeling energetic you can climb Mount Durras; leaving from Pebbly Beach its a 7.5 km return moderate to difficult walk, but the views at the top are well worth the effort. Looking through strategically placed keyholes in the forest, you can look out to the stunning Budawang Ranges in the west, or out to the east to see untouched national park dropping into the ocean.

Durras Lake is a popular attraction for keen fisherman, flathead and bream can be found, and so can schools of prawns in the right season. The lake is also perfect for canoeing and kayaking.

Accommodation to suit every taste is here too; you can rent a well-furnished house in Depot Beach, stay at the caravan park at Durras Beach, bunk down in an old style cabin on Pebbly Beach, or pitch a tent at a number of places in the national park.

For nature lovers who appreciate both the bush and the sea, this is the perfect location.

What? South Durras

Where? South Durras is in the Murramarang National Park, on the southern side of Durras Lake. There is a village, access to several magnificent beaches and of course to Lake Durras itself.

How do I get there? Drive north from Batemans Bay along the Princes Highway for 12 kms. Turn right into Durras Road at Benandarah and continue along for another 12 kms to the coast.

Backgrounder? Like North Durras, South Durras is a great way to experience both the natural beauty of the bush and the coast at the same time. From here you can explore the national park and the many secluded beaches scalloped along the coastline. Thanks to the untouched forest catchment Durras Lake is regarded as one of the cleanest estuaries on the east coast of Australia - you truly will be in a natural paradise.

Eco Point Murramarang Resort is a great family accommodation option, as is the Big4 South Durras Holiday Park; both have a range of accommodation types and plenty of extra facilities such as swimming pools, bike and kayak hire, and activities tailored for kids. 

What? Long Beach

Where? Just minutes from Batemans Bay, Long Beach is glorious stretch of coastline set on the northern shores of the bay amongst forests of spotted gums and burrawangs.

How do I get there? Head north on the Princes Highway from Batemans Bay for 10 km, turn right into Cullendulla Drive and continue on to Long Beach Drive.

Backgrounder? If you're looking for a relaxed getaway to a forest shrouded beach without having to head too far off the main road, then Long Beach is it. Its location within the bay also makes it relatively protected, so the waves are usually gentle. Surprisingly, this beach doesn't attract large crowds either.

There are plenty of beach houses and villas to rent in the town surrounding the beach, and you can also rent small self contained units in the bushland setting of Camp Long Beach.

For more information on lookouts in and around Batemans Bay, visit the informative Eurobodalla Coast Tourism website. 


 

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