Ever since the first sailing ships began to travel the Australian east coast, their captains have referred to Beecroft Headland as Abrahams Bosom, an Old Testament reference to safety, as the area afforded shelter to vessels plying the coast in turbulent weather. Abrahams Bosom Walking Track winds its way around Beecroft Headland near Currarong on the NSW South Coast. A popular spot with locals and visitors alike, the 9km walk passes through coastal heath and sandstone cliffs with magnificent views up and down the coastline. Accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, dog owners and bicycle riders (no motor bikes or 4WDs), the track has several spots ideal for fishing, picnicking and snorkelling.
How to get there
Distances from major centres
From Nowra, follow the roadsigns to Currarong. Once past the caravan site, there is a sign posted ‘Walking Track’ at Walton Way (just before the bowling club). Turn left into Walton Way, right on Piscator Ave, left into Weber Ave and right into Beecroft Parade. The track is located at the eastern end of the parade. Toilets and picnic tables are located at the car park. BBQs can be found at nearby council reserves.
Canberra – 2 ½ hrs Sydney – 2 ½ hrs
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Only a 35 minute drive from Nowra, the reserve is regarded as one of the most unique areas in the Shoalhaven and boasts secluded sheltered beaches and is steeped in Aboriginal and European history.
CULBURRA BEACH
CURRARONG ABRAHAMS BOSOM
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JERVIS BAY SUSSEX INLET
Goulburn - 2 hrs
Abrahams Bosom Beach A secluded beach at the start of the track. Perfect for picnics or a cool swim after walking the track.
Wollongong - 1 ½ hrs
2 The tracks A 2.5km return walk which takes a leisurely one hour on easy gradient, and takes in the site of the wreck of S.S. Merimbula. The terrain is relatively flat with few steep sections and the track’s surface is generally firm ground or boardwalk. Coomies Walk 9km 3 hours
NOWRA
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Batemans Bay - 1 ½ hrs
Wreck Walk 2.5km 1 hour
Location map
Points of interest
Nowra – 35mins
This walk includes the Marions Way and offers a more challenging walk for users. A feature of this walk is the panoramic views from the Trig Station platform. The terrain is generally undulating and at times the track surface be comprised of rough material.
Marions Way
Named after Marion James, a former school teacher of the Jerringa children, who took great interest in teaching the students from Culburra School of the Aboriginal lifestyle in this locality. She was killed in an air crash in New Guinea in August, 1985 on her way to walk the Kokoda Trail.
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The Wreck – S.S. Merimbula 1928
The Merimbula a steel steamship built 1909 in Scotland was en route from Port Jackson Sydney to Tathra on the 27 March 1928 when it ran aground at 1am on a rock shelf 100 metres from the shore at Whale Point. The Merimbula was carrying 14 passengers and 35 crew with no loss of life. Part of the ship’s bow remains washed up towards the shore from its original grounding spot. The rest of the ship is submerged in deep water near the tip of Whale Point.
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Honeysuckle Point
Accessed via the Wreck Walk Track Honeysuckle Point is located between Whale Point and Lobster Bay. Wilsons Beach is found on the western side of Honeysuckle Point and offers a secluded sheltered area ideal for swimming, picnicking, or relaxing on the beach.
5 Lobster Bay An easy 3km (1.5hr) return walk the track passes through the heathland’s which covers most of the reserve. Lobster Bay is protected from the south winds and offers a quality reef break popular with local surfers. Lobster Bay is also regarded as a great swimming and snorkelling area.
6 Gosangs Tunnel The walk passes Gosangs Tunnel which opens out onto a rock ledge in the magnificent sandstone cliffs.
7 Mermaids Inlet An easy 5km (2hr) return walk, Mermaids Inlet is located on the eastern side of the reserve and offers spectacular views of the Beecroft cliffs. The lower rock platforms of Mermaids Inlet are a prime fishing location.
Cliff edge lookdown A viewing area of the large sandstone cliffs.
While we want you to enjoy yourself, please remember the following… • Stay on the track.
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Merimbula Trig Station Located on the south east section of Coomies walk, the Merimbula Trig platform offers expansive views of the reserve and ocean. Aboriginal rock shelter (Easy 2km 1hr walk from entrance)
Where to stay While no camping is allowed on the reserve, there are plenty of accommodation options in Currarong and surrounds. For a list, visit www.caravanandcampingnsw.com.au.
• Observe fire bans – do no smoke near flammable vegetation. • Do not carry firearms. • Place your rubbish in the bins provided, or take it with you. • Appreciate native animals from a distance. • Beware of falling tree limbs. • Clean up after your pets. • No collecting/picking native vegetation. • Caution narrow tracks, cliffs, dangerous waves.
WHALE POINT
INDEX
3 THE WRECK
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Point of Interest
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Information sign
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Parking & picnic facilities
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Toilets Wreck Walk
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LITTLE BEECROFT HEAD
COOMIES W ALK
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Land and Property Management Authority Head office 1 Prince Albert Road Queens Square SYDNEY NSW 2000
6 GOSANGS TUNNEL
8 CLIFF EDGE LOOKOUT
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10 ABORIGINAL ROCK SHELTER
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T 13000 LANDS 61 2 9228 6666 F 61 2 9223 4357
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CURRARONG
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7 MERMAIDS INLET
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• A hat and sunscreen is a must in summer. • Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
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Coomies Walk
LOBSTER BAY 5
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For ideas on other great NSW walking tracks visit www.lpma.nsw.gov.au.
HONEYSUCKLE POINT
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The Beecroft Peninsula was occupied by Aboriginal groups regularly over the past 4,000 years. Carbon dating of midden materials found in the rock shelter indicates occupation since early in the fourth century AD (over 1,600 years ago). The Aboriginal tribes hunted and gathered fish, animals and plant foods from around the headland.
Abrahams Bosom Walking Track
WREC
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BEECROFT HEAD
www.lpma.nsw.gov.au
CRE
EK 9 MERIMBULA TRIG STATION
TO NOWRA 34km 0
0.5km
1km
This document has been for marketing and communication purposes only Images and maps may or may not be indicative of Crown land and are subject to change. © September 2009 Land and Property Management Authority (B) P09/06/047
Abrahams Bosom
Walking Track