Ditch the car and explore the coast on your bicycle

14th Aug 2020 | Tourism Editor

DITCH THE CAR AND EXPLORE THE COAST ON YOUR BICYCLE

There’s something magical about sightseeing on two wheels; feeling the breeze as you take in the sights, sounds and smells of your surroundings.

Eurobodalla is home to some of the best cycling routes in the country – with the coast on one side and lush countryside, forests and nature reserves on the other. And with a multitude of friendly townships within a short distance of each other, you can easily break up your trip with a coffee and a bite to eat, a picnic lunch, a swim at the beach, or a spot of whale watching (in season September to November).

If you don’t want to bring your own, there are plenty of places to rent a bike on the coast such as:

Some will even deliver your wheels to your accommodation so you can simply hop on and start your journey from there.

There is also plenty of signage to make navigation easy and help you get the most out of your day.

If you’ve never cycled on the South Coast before, here are five trails to consider for your next visit…

Spotted Gum Trail, Durras

North of Batemans Bay, this moderate 25km ride combines the beauty of the foreshore with the tranquillity of the Murramarang National Park.

With an exquisite native bird population, you’ll be tempted to stop at every turn to take in everything this unique environment offers. There are plenty of places to have a picnic, or you can wait until you arrive back in North or South Durras or enjoy lunch at Murramarang Beachfront Resort.

Where to start: Durras Sports Ground.

What you’ll see: Murramarang National Park, spotted gum trees, native birds and wildlife, Durras village, Durras Lake.

Broulee to Moruya North Head Campground

A little further down the coast, you can cycle parallel to the beachfront from Broulee to the Moruya North Head campground. The trip is only 8km and once you get there you can park the bike and follow the walking track to Sandy Point – a terrific vantage point for whale watching.

If you take the trip on a Saturday, follow the trail inland to Moruya and visit the markets on Shore Street before having lunch at any one of Moruya’s popular cafes or restaurants.

Where to start: Broulee.

What you’ll see: Broulee village centre, Broulee Island, Bengello Beach, Moruya River, marine life, and Moruya town centre.

Narooma to Dalmeny’s coastal lagoon

This peaceful route gives you the best of all worlds – beginning in Narooma and finishing at the shores of the Mummuga Lake inlet at Dalmeny, a saline coastal lagoon and secret favourite for locals.

As you head back to Narooma, take a detour onto Bluewater Drive and up Bar Rock Road to the famous Australia Rock formation where you might even spot a few seals!

Where to start: Narooma town centre.

What you’ll see: Narooma town centre, Wagonga Inlet, Kianga Creek, Yabarra Beach, Lake Mummuga, Australia Rock, Bar Rock Lookout.

Botanic Gardens to Surf Beach

Overflowing with native Australian plants, Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens are a popular tourist attraction and also a great place to start a bike ride. You can enjoy a coffee at the Botanic Gardens café before hopping on your bike and cycling down Deep Creek Dam Road towards Deep Creek.

If you’re in the mood for a longer trip, continue on to Ridge Road which will take you right into the heart of Surf Beach where you can have lunch and go for a swim before heading back.

Where to start: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens.

What you’ll see: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens, Deep Creek, open forest, native birds and wildlife, Surf Beach (patrolled in peak season).

Batemans Bay to Cullendulla Wetlands

There are multiple ways to take this scenic cycling tour, depending on your level of experience.

If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, start on the foreshores of the Clyde River on Wharf Road in Batemans Bay. You can then journey via Myamba Parade to the Cullendulla Track.

For those with more experience, start at Batehaven or Batemans Bay and travel through the township across the Clyde River Bridge and down to Wharf Road.

There are multiple options once you get to the Cullendulla Track including up to the Mangrove Reserve, or along Cullendulla Beach and out to Cullendulla Creek – a quiet slice of paradise where you can take a dip and have a picnic before heading back.

Where to start: Batemans Bay or Wharf Road on the Clyde River foreshore.

What you’ll see: Clyde River, Pinnacle Point, Surfside Beach, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve, Cullendulla Mangrove Reserve, Cullendulla Beach and creek, views to the Tollgate Islands.

There are countless other cycling trails across the South Coast – perfect for families who wish to take a leisurely trip or experienced cyclists and mountain bikers looking for a challenge.

For more advice on local routes, visit Explore Eurobodalla or pop into any one of the coast’s local bike stores.

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