Bermagui

Bermagui combines experiences on the water with coastal walks, nature and local history that you can also discover at the museum. Bermagui Blue Pool is a place for swimming and snorkelling; fishing trips and seasonal whale-watching cruises depart from the harbour. If you prefer exploring on foot, you can choose between two different walks. This mix gives you several options for planning your trip, without making every day feel the same.

Coastal walks with different character

The Bermagui Coastal Walk runs for about 18 kilometres from Cuttagee Beach in the south to Wallaga Lake in the north. You don’t have to plan to cover the whole route: you can also start with a shorter section in Bermagui. The town is roughly halfway along the walk. This lets you plan your hike around part of the Coastal Walk, rather than making the full distance the measure of your stay.

The Bermagui Heritage Trail is different: this self-guided walking and driving trail stretches for more than 17 kilometres, from Wallaga Lake north of Bermagui to Cuttagee Beach in the south. It combines the option of travelling on foot or by vehicle with a route that runs between these two endpoints. So the Coastal Walk and the Heritage Trail don’t simply offer the same kind of outing: the former centres on a walking route, while the latter also incorporates a drive.

Blue Pool, estuary and outings on the water

Bermagui Blue Pool is a swimming and snorkelling spot for the whole family, with a wading pool alongside it for children. The pool was enlarged to its present size in 1937. A viewing platform offers a view over the pool and coast. Whales may be visible from there in winter and spring. This offers a different way to experience the coast from swimming or snorkelling.

Charter boats offering customisable fishing trips operate year-round from Bermagui Harbour. Whale-watching cruises are also offered there every year during whale season, from August to November. If you’re choosing when to travel, the season dates are especially relevant to these cruises; fishing trips, by contrast, are described as available year-round. Whale sightings are not guaranteed.

In the heart of Bermagui lies the tranquil Bermagui River, an estuary where you can kayak, stand-up paddleboard, fish and go boating. Its riverside landscape adds another area for water-based activities to experiences along the open coast. Mangrove forests and tall forests line the river. Wildlife found there includes herons, azure kingfishers and sea eagles. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts can therefore find a distinct river and forest setting, in addition to the possibility of whale watching.

Discover the history at the museum

Bermagui Museum is located in the Bermagui Community Centre. Its collection includes objects and photographs that tell stories from Bermagui’s past. The museum also provides the public with a modern historical research facility. A visit can offer a different focus from a day on the water: instead of a coastal walk, river or pool, the focus is on the town’s past and the collection pieces associated with it.

Discover more places

For more destinations, you can also explore Pambula, Mirador, Kiah, Tathra, Bega, Pambula Beach, Tanja and Barragga Bay.

For the broader travel overview: Bega Valley Shire Council.