Broulee
There are so many things to do in Broulee. This quintessential Aussie seaside holiday town on the south coast of New South Wales is surrounded by crystal clear waters, great surf and wide stretches of sandy beach.
Kids on bikes, beach towels on decks, surfboards on roof racks; it’s a barefoot easiness that doesn’t take long to settle into.
Broulee is the most southern village in a string of coastal hamlets and suburbs between Batemans Bay and Moruya on the New South Wales south coast.
Nearby Mossy Point and Tomakin are huddled around a large bay that is marked in the north by Long Nose Point and in the south at Broulee Island. Each village is separated by an estuarine inlet and are fronted by three protected beaches; Barlings, Tomakin and Broulee.
Things to Do in Broulee
Surfers embrace the Broulee lifestyle and culture, with a surf beach to suit every level of experience.
North Broulee is one of the best learn-to-surf beaches in Australia, with a sheltered position and flat sandy bottom.
South Broulee beach is considered more challenging, with a break suited to intermediate and advanced level surfers. More adventurous surfers should head to Pink Rocks on the northern side of Broulee Island, where the right hander is known to have some monster days.
Walks
Get your bearings from the lookout at Broulee Headland. The lookout has expansive views of the ocean, the town, coast and hinterland. The broad rock platform at the base of the headland is safe to explore. It is about the closest you will get to the migrating whales in Spring without a boat.
Following the platform around leads to a quiet sheltered beach and the sand-spit connecting to Broulee Island Nature Reserve.
The island holds many secrets, including the ruins of a hotel and sea port railway. Now reclaimed by native bush and birds, the walk takes you through a magnificent and dynamic coastal landscape.
History of Broulee
Broulee was the first port in the Eurobodalla and there was a short-lived settlement on the island. Ships could lie in the lee of Broulee Island and pass their cargo across the beach. It was also the site of the first court in the district.
Gazetted in 1837, land sales commenced in 1840. and farming began in the area in 1840. In 1841 it was made the centre of a police district covering the area from Jervis Bay to Eden.
Captain Oldrey built a hotel on the northern end of Broulee Island named Erin-Go-Bragh which is reportedly the first hotel built on the Far South Coast.
Once Moruya was established as a port, Broulee faded away leaving no obvious remains. By 1859 the court and Erin-Go-Bragh Hotel had been relocated to Moruya and by 1892 Broulee had been effectively abandoned. For a time shell grit was collected from the island and shipped to Sydney for use in cement production.
By 1926, Broulee was becoming popular with holidaymakers and people started buying land and building holiday shacks. In 1964 all the land on Broulee Island was resumed by the Eurobodalla Shire Council and in 1972 it was declared a Nature Reserve.
Broulee Island Nature Reserve
Broulee Island is joined to the mainland by a permanent sandbar and is always accessible. Find it at the southern end of North Broulee Beach or park at Broulee Surf Club and head north around the rocks to Shark Bay, where a short beach walk leads you to the island.
The island covers an area of around 42 hectares and supports a range of vegetation including mangroves and an open forest of mainly southern mahogany with small pockets of rainforest species in some areas.
The flora and fauna of the island, mainland and waterways were an important resource for Aboriginal people. The relatively sheltered anchorage of Broulee Bay promoted the establishment of a short-lived settlement on the island. You can find evidence of Aboriginal middens, ground disturbance marking the site of the island’s hotel, a grave and the remains of a jetty.
Photographers will enjoy the ocean vistas across pristine rock pools. The walk features native plants and is known for birdlife, including the superb fairy wren and white-bellied sea eagle.
Learn more about Broulee.
Mossy Point & Tomakin
Things to do in Mossy Point
Head north on Coronation Drive from Broulee toward Mossy Point.
The crossing at Candlagan Creek is as unassuming as it is stunning, the small sandy creek forms a crystal-clear swimming hole just as it reaches the beach, ideal for anyone wanting flat calm water to relax in. The sandy bottom makes it perfect for wading, and kids get a kick out of adventuring under the small road bridge that crosses it.
Follow the road along the coast and down to the Boat Shed on the Tomaga River. Here you can hire kayaks and SUPs, take a guided tour or launch your own boat from the ramp.
Things to do in Tomakin
With three picturesque beaches and a winding clear river, Tomakin provides enticing options for swimming, snorkelling and walking.
Head to Melville Point Lookout for sweeping views in either direction and to help decide where to go next.
To the north are the wide soft sands of Barlings Beach, which curves gently up the coast to Barlings Island.
This small rocky island protects the far end of the beach, creating an idyllic place to swim, picnic and snorkel among the marine life.
At the bottom of the lookout to the south is Tomakin Cove, one of the prettiest little beaches anywhere.
Sheltered on both sides, the water here is calm and almost always crystal clear. It’s a fantastic spot to swim and snorkel.
The cove leads on to the larger Tomakin Beach, which runs to the mouth of the Tomaga River.
The entire area is flanked by stunning rocky outcrops which change colour as the sun moves across the sky, and sit in deep contrast to the clear blues of the surrounding water.
Tomaga River is sandy-banked, clean and inviting. From its opening into the sea, the river curls back behind the beaches making an interesting and scenic walk. Pelicans and large stingrays are often around the ramp, and the river shore in this area is a popular place for swimming and kayaking.
