Fancy a splash? It’s no secret that Canberran’s love spending time down the coast, playing in waves and enjoying the beautiful coastline. As the summer heat begins to fade away, it’s time to make those final beach trips and enjoy the sun.
To help you escape the buzz of city life and replace it with the ocean’s waves, CW has complied some of the best beaches all under three hours’ drive for you and your family to enjoy.
Barlings Beach, Tomakin
With clear blue water and islands littering the horizon, Barlings beach is the perfect spot for a getaway.
Drive: 2 Hours 15 mins
Bawley Beach, Bawley Point
Located in the area of Bawley Point, Bawley Beach has two popular surf breaks and endless natural beauty. Perfect for the family, northern side of the point has a jetty and a boat ramp, while Nearby Bawley Point Reserve has a picnic area, a children’s playground and toilets. Don’t forget to pack a fishing rod, Bawley Beach is great for casting a line.
Drive: 2 Hours 22 mins
Broulee Beach, Broulee
Popular among Canberrans and coastal locals, the Broulee Beaches have some of the best surfing on the South Coast. Go for a swim, a fish or enjoy a picnic at the water’s edge. South Broulee Beach offers a look-out platform, hot showers, toilets and is wheelchair accessible while Shark Bay beach is one of the calmest swimming spots. Don’t forget to check out Broulee Island, a nature reserve with outstanding views along the coast.
Drive: 2 Hours 15 mins
Corrigans Beach, Batehaven
Corrigans Beach is the perfect swimming spot for beach goers of all ages, just a few minutes’ drive from Batemans Bay. Corrigans Beach has many facilities, including a large, accessible and fenced playground, picnic tables, bench seating, barbecues, grassed areas, public toilets and other amenities.
Drive: 2 Hours 49 mins
Green Island, Cunjurong Point
A must see for legendary waves, visit Green Island, a small island offshore of Cunjurong Point that is accessible on foot at low tide.Its popular surfer’s waves can give 40-50 metre rides with the occasional barrel. If wild waves aren’t your thing, Cunjurong Point also offers good access to Lake Conjola’s entrance which is a popular swimming spot for families.
Drive: 2 Hours 48 mins
Depot Beach, Bawley Point
This stunning beach is surrounded by Murramarang National Park and offers abundant native wildlife, clear water and swimming holes. The beach is perfect for a camping holiday or a day’s relaxation with white sand that stretches 600 metres. Explore the rainforest and then follow up with a swim.
Drive: 2 Hours 14 mins
Denhams Beach, Batemans Bay
Sheltered by rock headlands, the tranquil bay is perfect for snorkelling or playing with the kids. Keep an eye out for dolphin pods or spend a no fuss day enjoying the blue water.
Drive: 2 hours 5 mins
Guerilla Bay, Batemans Bay
Perfect for a family outing, Guerilla Bay comes equipped with picnic tables and boasts beautiful clear water. Containing two beaches, the bay is hidden among some of the oldest rock formations on the East Coast of Australia. Access the bay via Guerilla Bay Road off George Bass Road and spend the day among Australia’s natural history.
Drive: 2 hours 12 mins.
Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay
With an almost endless stretch of white sand, Hyams Beach is found on the southern shores of the Jervis Bay Marine Park. The calm turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, fishing and stand-up paddle boarding. Enjoy the sand beneath your toes, frolic in the waves or follow the beach trail.
Drive: 2 hours 32 mins.
Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay
Looking for something picturesque but only have a day to spare? Head to Honeymoon Bay to spend the day snorkelling, kayaking, birdwatching or swimming.
Drive: 2 hours 54 mins.
Kioloa Beach, Bawley Point
This beautiful beach has ocean front camping, and a wheelchair accessible lookout to spot migrating whales and other wildlife. Surrounded by pristine water and bushland, Kioloa Beachis close to Murramarang National Park, and has stunning views of nearby Belowa Island which protects the beach from big swell, making it a great beach for fishing, families, and kayaking.
Drive: 2 hours 27 mins.
Lilli Pilli Beach, Batemans Bay
Looking for something away from the hustle and bustle of the busy beaches? Lilli Pilli Beach is perfect, tucked away off the main road in the suburb of Lilli Pilli. The beach usually has a fairly calm rolling wave, but it can get rough with an easterly swell. There is barbecue and swing set on the grassy reserve, and the golden sand is perfect for spending the day.
Drive: 2 hours 8 mins.
Malula Bay Beach, Malua
One of the most popular beaches in the area, Maula Bay Beach is perfectly situated beside a large grassy reserve which is complete with picnic tables, barbecues, and kids play equipment.
Drive: 2 hours 9 mins.
McKenzies Beach, Malua
Located 14 kilometres South of Batemans Bay, McKenzies Beach is a small, beautiful, undeveloped beach, popular with locals and visitors alike. Watch for the turn off from George Bass Drive as it is not signposted and access the sandy shores via the carpark next to the beach.
Drive: 2 hours 12 mins.
Mollymook Beach, Mollymook
The 2km-long white sand beach offers swimming, snorkelling, surf schools and even has delicious dining options nearby. Play a round of golf overlooking the ocean and keep an eye out for majestic whales migrating along the NSW Coast.
Drive: 2 hours 34 mins.
Murramarang Beach, Bawley Point
Great for walking and playing beach games, Murramarang Beach is one of the longer beaches in the Bawley Point area. Take the coastal walk around the Murramarang Aboriginal Area to explore the southern headland and cast your eyes to sea to look for sea eagles and migrating whales or visit the small lake named Swan Lake.
Be aware that this beach is not patrolled and often has strong rips.
Drive: 2 hours 22 mins.
Pretty Beach, Bawley Point
Treat yourself to a trip to the aptly named Pretty Beach, a stunning stretch of luscious greenery and pristine ocean. Say hello to the friendly kangaroos and other native wildlife or take some time to camp to take in some of Murramarang National Park’s 44 kilometre coastline.
Drive: 2 hours 34 mins.
Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa
True to its name, Seven Mile Beach makes up over 12 kilometres of coastline, making it the perfect escape into nature. The Crooked River mouth is perfect for toddlers while the beach offers gentle waves, perfect for surf lessons, snorkelers, swimmers and windsurfers.
Drive: 2 hours 43 mins.
Walkers Beach, Gerroa
A local secret, Walker’s Beach is perfect if you’re looking to escape the crowds. At 350m and flanked by grassy green headlands, it has a quintessential South Coast look, and its size makes a good contrast to the huge expanse of Seven Mile Beach to the south. Nestled between grassy knolls, it even has a cave to explore. The catch? You need to access the beach via a golf course and it’s not patrolled. Visit https://berry.org.au/explore/walkers-beach-near-gerringong-gerroa/ for directions to this little piece of tranquillity.
Drive: 2 hours 50 mins.
If you didn’t see your favourite beaches let us know in the comments below and tell us why you love it.
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