Broulee: Surfing, Coastal Scenery and History

Broulee combines beach and surfing experiences with a coastal landscape and a history that includes a shipwreck dating back to 1841. At Broulee Beach, beginners can take surfing lessons; the Broulee Island Nature Reserve borders the coastal village. The lookout, the path to the island and historic memorial sites offer different perspectives on the area. When looking for a holiday rental in Broulee, consider whether you would like to focus your stay mainly on beach activities, nature or local history.

Surfing and experiences at Broulee Beach

The Famous Broulee Surf School offers beginner surfing lessons at Broulee Beach. It is the longest-established surf school in the Eurobodalla region. If a lesson fits your travel plans, check lesson availability before your trip.

At the same beach, volunteer lifesavers from the Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club patrol from September to April. Exact patrol days may vary. The seasonal period and surfing lessons are two separate points to consider when planning: lessons are for beginners, while the patrol season covers part of the year.

The club also offers Nippers for children aged 7 to 13. Another way to enjoy the ocean as a sporting activity is the Hotondo Homes Broulee Bay to Breakers Ocean Swim. The 500-metre course is intended for juniors and beginners. The classic course is 1.4 kilometres and goes from Shark Bay around the headland to Bengello Beach. The two distances help you choose between the courses on offer; plan your swim around the event dates.

Coastal scenery, the reserve and the path to the island

The Broulee Island Nature Reserve borders the coastal village of Broulee. Its vegetation includes mangroves on rocky platforms by the shore and open forest dominated by Southern Mahogany. Rainforest species are also found occasionally in sheltered areas. This means different types of vegetation sit alongside one another in the same reserve, from mangroves to forest and occasional rainforest species.

The Broulee Island Walk begins at the Broulee Island Walk Carpark at the southern end of North Broulee Beach. From there, a path leads to Shark Bay; a short stretch of beach continues on to the island. Check the tides, surf and weather before setting out on the walk. The Broulee Headland Lookout offers a different kind of overview: from there, wide views extend across the ocean and the town to the coast and hinterland.

Memorial sites and history

Broulee was the first port in Eurobodalla. The Broulee Heritage Area includes a monument to the settlers and Traditional Owners who rescued people from the wreck of the schooner Rover in 1841. The memorial connects local history with a specific event on the coast.

The Broulee Island Nature Reserve also bears traces of the past: evidence of Aboriginal shell middens, the site of an island hotel, a grave and the remains of a pier. Together with the monument, these places reveal several facets of Broulee’s history, from the rescue after the shipwreck to traces of the island’s earlier use. You do not have to limit your trip planning to a single holiday theme: beach activities, coastal scenery and history offer different ways to get to know Broulee.

Choosing Broulee for your holiday

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Broulee, use your preferred focus as a guide: surf lessons and the beach, the vegetation of the adjoining reserve, the path towards the island or the area’s history. For a walk, tides, surf and weather must be taken into account; for surfing lessons, it is worth checking the lesson dates. If you plan to take part in the Ocean Swim, factor in its event dates too. This makes it easier to choose your holiday location based on the experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kianga, Dalmeny, Narooma, Long Beach, Batemans Bay, Mossy Point, Potato Point, Moruya.

For the broader travel overview: Eurobodalla Shire Council.