Wild #188

Page 128

TRACK NOTES

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To Ulladulla

Kioloa

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MURRAMARANG SOUTH COAST WALK

Pretty Beach Campground

START

Pretty Beach Singing Stones Beach Dawsons Beach

Clyde River

Durras Mtn

Snake Bay

Pebbly Beach Campground

Pebbly Beach Depot Beach Depot Beach Campground

North Durras Durras Lake

North Durras Beach

Lakesea Park

South Durras Beach

Big4 South Durras

South Durras sH

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NRMA Murramarang

Cookies Beach Mill Beach

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Emily Miller Beach Dark Beach Myrtle Beach Oaky Beach Campground

North Head Maloneys Beach Campground

Batemans Bay

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128

2.5

5

7.5

Ye Q llo ui w rrig Ro a N or ck Be th B ac H ea eac h d h Be ac h

FINISH

Richmond Beach Oaky Beach Honeysuckle Beach

L Lookout

NORTH HEAD

10KM

Map data © OpenStreetMap

DIFFICULTY & NAVIGATION

CROSSING DURRAS LAKE

For the most part, walking the Murramarang SCW is pleasantly easy. High tides, however, can change everything, making some parts—notably Durras Lake (see next section), some bits south of Pebbly Beach, and sometimes Myrtle Beach, too—unpleasant, or difficult, or even impossible. It’s really important, therefore, that you download or print a tide chart before setting off. Despite the NPWS touting the walk as being well signposted, there was virtually no signposting in the walk’s bottom third at the time of its opening (April 2023). The top two-thirds, however, were adequately marked, and it’s likely the bottom section will catch up soon. Nonetheless, be aware that if you do the walk not long after this issue goes to print, signposting may not be completed. As a result, it’s highly recommended that you download to your phone both the NPWS app and the Murramarang walk info (ensure the latter is available offline). While the app is sometimes clunky, its ability to use your phone’s GPS to display exactly where you are in those unsignposted sections is really useful. It’s also recommended that you contact the NPWS office at Depot Beach Campground to find out about the Durras Lake crossing and conditions in general: (02) 4478 6582; 9AM-4PM.

The crux of the entire Murramarang South Coast Walk is crossing Durras Lake. The lake is what’s known as an ICOLL, an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake and Lagoon. When closed, the crossing is not even the slightest bit difficult; it’s as dry as crossing the sands of the Sahara, I’ve been told. But when open, the waters can be ankle/thigh/chest-deep or more, and there’ll be times (although this is rare) when even at low tide you’ll either be pack floating and swimming or arranging transport. Waiting until low or mid-tide can help, but this is not guaranteed. (One of my crossings of the lake was thwarted at mid-tide). Also, be aware that there can be up to an hour or so’s lag between the coastal tides and the inlet tides. But here’s an important tip, one gleaned from locals: If the waters seem too deep, head inland to where the entrance broadens. Depending on the tide, you may find 50m in is sufficient, but it gets less deep still if you go 200-300m in, around to a spot where there’s a grassy flat and a few houses. If you can’t make your way across, there’s the option of contacting Bay and Beyond Tours (there’s a section on their website about offering assistance to walkers with the crossing: bayandbeyond.com.au).

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SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS

2min
pages 142-146

SUPPORT OUR SUPPORTERS

4min
pages 140-141

EXTENDED FIT SERIES

0
pages 138-139

THERMOBALL TRACTION V MULES

7min
pages 136-138

MANASLU ND50:65L

1min
page 136

WINTER TENTS A COMPARISON

5min
pages 134-136

THE WALK IN SECTIONS

10min
pages 130-133

MURRAMARANG SOUTH COAST WALK

3min
pages 128-129

SOUTH COAST WALK

3min
pages 126-127

RED CENTRE

5min
pages 124-125

No Turning Back

10min
pages 118-124

THE SPAGHETTI TOUR

6min
pages 112-115

UNBOXED

16min
pages 102-111

ROCK & ROLL

3min
pages 94-101

Mt THE

15min
pages 84-93

THE WAY BACK HOME

10min
pages 76-83

KNOW WHERE YOU ARE

11min
pages 64-75

GETTING SCHOOLED

10min
pages 56-63

FIRES FUTURE OF THE

9min
pages 52-55

SUBSCRIBE TO WILD AND SUPPORT LOCAL ADVENTURERS TELLING STORIES THAT MATTER

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page 51

GET A FREE HELLY HANSEN BEANIE (RRP$60)

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page 50

LAST YEAR’S LESSONS

2min
page 48

PHOTOGRAPHING THE EAST KIMBERLEY

3min
pages 46-47

LEAVE NO [ONLINE] TRACE

9min
pages 42-45

TYTO, THE TREESITTER

6min
pages 40-41

GREEN PAGES

2min
page 38

PAGES

2min
page 36

DOUBLE DUTY

3min
pages 34-35

FEAR CAN BE YOUR FRIEND

3min
page 32

GIVE IT A CRACK

3min
page 30

SHELTER FOR ALL SEASONS

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page 29

THE DUNNINGKRUGER EFFECT

4min
pages 18-28

COVER SHOT

1min
pages 13-17

Letter of the Issue ]

4min
pages 12-13
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