With its far-reaching coastline and abundance of neighbouring national parks, the Harbour City is undeniably a hiker's paradise. And while there are plenty of beautiful walking routes in Sydney itself and full-day hikes within an hour or so of the city, venturing further out can really pay off if you’re looking for a world-class walking route. Just under four hours south of Sydney in the stunning Shoalhaven region, you’ll find one of the NSW National Parks organisation's "Great Walks".
The Murramarang South Coast Walk is a magical 34-kilometre route that takes walkers along a beautiful stretch of unspoilt coastline – through quaint coastal villages and majestic forests. With the option of pre-booking campsites and transfers along the route, tackling at least a section of this gorgeous walk on your next South Coast weekender is a must-do.
Where is the Murramarang South Coast Walk?
Tracing the coast between Pretty Beach and Maloneys Beach on the NSW South Coast, the Murramarang South Coast Walk is located in Murramarang National Park on Yuin Country – with the starting point around a 3-hour, 40-minute drive from Sydney.
How long is the Murramarang South Coast Walk?
The full 34-kilometre route takes around three days to complete in full, but it’s possible to dip in for shorter stints if you’re not up for taking on the walk in its entirety in one big go.
How to get to the Murramarang South Coast Walk
The easiest way to reach the walk from Sydney is by car – drive south along the M1 and you’ll get to the Pretty Beach starting point in just under four hours. It is possible to reach the starting point of the walk via public transport from Sydney, but it’s a long journey – estimated to take upwards of eight hours with multiple changes along the way.
How difficult is the Murramarang South Coast Walk?
The walk is rated as Grade 4 – meaning it’s relatively challenging, and best suited for experienced walkers. If you’re not sure you’re ready, the final stretch of the walk (from Depot Beach to Maloneys Beach) is generally the easiest stretch to complete – 11 kilometres of well-formed, mainly flat trails.
Is the Murramarang South Coast Walk free?
The walk itself is free to complete, but you’ll need to consider costs for accommodation, travel and supplies, plus the $8 entry fee to access Murramarang National Park.
Where to stay on the Murramarang South Coast Walk
Since getting to the start takes more than three hours, it’s worth staying overnight before you begin the walk. Our pick for a magical pre-walk sleepover would be Pebbly Beach Escape – a truly special family-run property on the shores of a vast private beach.
Once you’ve started walking, you’ll find well-located camping sites and some more substantial stays along the route – it’s best to book these in advance to secure your spot. If you’re camping, you’ll stay at the beautiful (if scarily-named) Snake Bay Camping Site on night one (12 kilometres from the starting point), and then at Depot Beach campsite for night two after an 11-kilometre hike.
Driving back to the city after the 11-kilometre hike from Depot Beach to Maloneys Beach on the final day isn’t ideal, so we’d suggest booking a camping site in the area or treating yourself to a more indulgent stay. This colourful beach house is a personal favourite (just a sixteen minute drive from Maloneys Beach), or you can split up the journey back to the Big Smoke with a night at Paperbark Camp. Camping and cabin packages for the walk can be booked ahead of time via the NSW National Parks website for visits between March and November.
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