Bawley Point: Beaches, Surf Spots and Coastal Walks

Beaches and Coast in Bawley Point

In Bawley Point, the sea is part of the holiday experience in many ways: you can play and stroll on the beach, surf or explore rock pools while snorkelling. The beaches differ in what they offer and their features. This lets you plan each day around your preferences—with time in the water, a walk along the shore or a break for the whole family.

Murramarang Beach begins at Malibu Drive in town and stretches south to the mouth of Swan Lake. It offers a different setting for leisurely walks and beach games than the surf spots. Keep in mind that Murramarang Beach is unpatrolled and can have strong rip currents. If you spend time in the water there, take this into account when choosing activities.

At Bawley Beach, the large southern headland of Bawley Point shapes the beach by sheltering it. At Cormorant Beach, dogs are allowed off leash around the clock, seven days a week. At low tide, visitors can walk from there over the northern headland to neighbouring Bawley Beach. The tide is crucial for this crossing, so it should not be considered a beach walk that is possible at any time.

Surfing, Snorkelling and Coastal Walks

Bawley Beach has two surf breaks that attract surfers and bodyboarders year-round. Guillotines is another surf break in Bawley Point. It is popular with bodyboarders and shortboarders who prefer shallow, hollow waves. These details offer specific guidance if you’re interested in a stay with surfing, without treating all the spots as the same.

Snorkelling is also one of the activities available in the Murramarang Aboriginal Area, where swimming, surfing, beach and rock fishing, and exploring rock pools are popular too. Near Guillotines, there are sheltered spots for swimming and snorkelling, with resident stingrays. Gannet Beach in Bawley Point is also suitable for snorkelling and surfing. This gives you a choice of coastal activities when planning your day, rather than focusing your entire stay on just one way to enjoy the beach.

The Murramarang Aboriginal Area Walking Track is a 2.2-kilometre coastal walking trail. Information signs explain culturally significant Aboriginal sites along the way. The nearby Murramarang Aboriginal Area also protects the largest Aboriginal shell midden on the South Coast and has a signed trail with panoramic views. Coastal scenery and cultural information come together here: the walk offers a different perspective on the area than a day at a surf break or on the beach.

Take a Break and Plan Your Holiday

At Bawley Point Reserve, you’ll find a picnic area, a children’s playground and public toilets. These can be a welcome addition if you’d like to spend some time at the reserve as well as by the water. Families can include these facilities in their day’s plans without limiting a beach visit and other coastal experiences to a single activity.

When choosing a holiday rental in Bawley Point, consider which experiences matter most for your trip: surf breaks, beach time, walks or a coastal trail with information signs. The beaches and trails offer different ways to spend the day outdoors, while the reserve adds a picnic area and playground to the mix.

More places to discover: Kangaroo Valley, Cambewarra, Sussex Inlet, Culburra Beach, Wattamolla, Bangalee, Narrawallee and Berrara.

For the broader travel overview: Shoalhaven City Council.