Plan Your wharf to wharf Walk

Trail distance

Approximately 27km direct from Merimbula Wharf to Tathra Wharf  with no side trails.

Time to walk

2-3 days. Very fit walkers can complete it in 1 day.

Degree of difficulty 

Varies from hard surface to rock scrambles and soft beach sand. The Kangarutha walking track / Kianinny section involves hills and gullies with numerous stairs. In total, this is a challenging walk, but many sections are easy to moderate.  As there are several points of vehicular access to the walk, it is possible to select a section with your desired degree of difficulty.

Which way to walk

Either way is enjoyable, though south to north takes you from the more populated areas to the solitude of Bournda National Park. There are more points of access in the southern half.  The northern half has more of a ‘wilderness’ feel and is more challenging.

Track Notes

All walkers must ensure they have a copy of the Wharf to Wharf Walk Track Notes before setting out. We recommend storing them on a mobile device as well as carrying a hard copy for use while walking. 

The Track Notes contain important navigational information as well as optional side trips, notes about flora and fauna as well as lake crossings. Because Wharf to Wharf Walk connects pre-existing trails, there is not always clear signage along the walk. Track Notes are an important tool for navigating the walk. Mobile reception along the walk is unreliable, so be sure to print and download your Track Notes before setting out.

Hard copies of the Track Notes are available at some Visitor Information Centres and accommodation providers. Alternatively, just download the Track Notes to your phone.

Download the Track Notes 

The Wharf to Wharf Walk Track Notes are available for Northbound and Southbound walkers.

Northbound - Wharf to Wharf Walk Track Notes

Southbound - Wharf to Wharf Walk Track Notes

Maps

The Wildwalks map tool may be a useful tool in helping you plan your Walk. Find it here. 

Wharf to Wharf Walk has several car access points, making it easy to complete shorter day hike sections at your own pace. Here are some 2-day and 3-day itinerary suggestions

2 Day Walks

Day 1 – Merimbula Wharf – Hobart Beach Campground

Follow the Track Notes, but add the following side trails (directions for Side Trails found in Track Notes)

• Long Point trail (2km return)
• Middle Beach (1km return)
• Short Point Reserve and rock platforms (500m return)
• Tura Headland trail (1.6km return)
• Sandy Creek track to Bournda Lagoon car park (6km return)

Camping or pick up from Hobart Campground.

Day 2 – Hobart Beach Campground – Tathra Wharf

Follow the Track Notes, but add the following side trails (directions for Side Trails found in Track Notes):

• Bondi Lake trail (5km return)
• Scotts Bay and Scotts Hut (3.6km return). 

Pick up from Tathra Wharf.

3 Day Walks

On days when the whales and wildlife are plentiful, or the water too welcoming for multiple swims along the way, Wharf to Wharf can also be broken up into 3 x 1-day walks. Follow the Track Notes, and add all of the side trails listed above! (directions for Side Trails found in Track Notes):

Day 1 – Merimbula Wharf to North Tura car park

Day 2 - North Tura car park to Turingal Head

Day 3 - Turingal Head to Tathra Wharf

Parking

There is limited parking at Merimbula Wharf and Tathra Wharf. Walkers are encouraged to walk to the beginning of the trail, or get dropped off. If doing a car shuffle, cars can be parked at Spencer Park, Long Point or Middle Beach car parks in Merimbula. In Tathra, cars can be parked at Tathra Headland or the car park opposite the Tathra Hotel.

Access points

Wharf to Wharf Walk can be accessed by car at Short Point Reserve, Short Point Beach car park, Tura Headland car park, North Tura car park, Bournda Lagoon car park, Hobart Campground, Turingal Head car park and Kianinny Bay car park. 

National Parks parking fees apply at North Tura car park, Bournda Lagoon car park, Hobart Campground and Turingal Head car park.

Transfers

Many walkers ’overnight’ off the track, meaning that they only have to carry a day pack. Transfers for day hikes and access to overnight accommodation can be organised through:

Bega Taxi and Booking Service 

Sapphire Coast Personal Transport 

Merimbula Eden Taxi Service

Tours

If you would like to have someone organise it all, or add extra adventures to your trip contact:

Sapphire Coast Guiding Co

Navigate Expeditions

Accommodation

There is a wide selection of accommodation available catering to all budgets and tastes. Hobart Beach Campground is the only camping option available along the Walk.

Explore Accommodation

Overnight camping is available at Hobart Beach Campground in Bournda National Park, approximately halfway along the Wharf to Wharf Walk. There are 66 campsites and amenities include non-flush toilets, showers, picnic & barbeque facilities, vehicle access and parking. There is no fresh water available at this campground. Bookings must be made advance through NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (camping fees apply).

There are no bookings or fees required to walk the Wharf to Wharf Walk. Parking fees within Bournda National Park is $8 per vehicle per day, applicable for walkers completing a shorter section day hike and leaving their vehicle at one of the National Park car parks. Camping fees apply at Hobart Beach Campground. Visitors are encouraged to consider an annual National Parks Pass.

Wharf to Wharf Walk offers special opportunities in all seasons, with temperatures generally ranging from 10 – 30 degrees. Summer days can be very warm and require extra water to be carried - but the seas and lakes are sparkling. Autumn, the water can still be pleasant, with whales headed north in May and June. Winter is refreshing and cool for walking, with unique, wild ocean views. Spring, while the water can be crisp the wildflowers start blooming and whales and the calves beginning moving south in September and October.

Lake Crossings

After periods of heavy rain, lakes along the Walk can open to the sea. Consider tides and big seas in crossing any outflow from Back Lake at Short Point, Bournda Lagoon and Wallagoot Lake. 

Check the Bournda National Park alerts, or with Merimbula National Parks office or Merimbula Visitor Information Centre.  

Alternate trail options can be found in the Track Notes if the outflows are not safe to cross. Additionally, side trips to Bournda Island should not be made during rough seas or when high tide covers the wide strip of sand joining the island to the beach. 

See local tide times

Swimming

Take great care if swimming - the beaches are unpatrolled and can have deep gutters directly off the beach, with strong undertows and rips. All the beaches along the walk are unpatrolled, except for Short Point in the peak summer holiday period.

Trail Safety Resources

Bournda National Park – trails, roads and fire alerts 

Bega Valley Shire Council road closures

NSW Rural Fire Service – Fire Danger Ratings and Fire Bans

NSW Rural Fire Service - Fires Near Me

BOM weather forecast

BOM weather warnings

BOM tide times information

There is limited mobile reception throughout Wharf to Wharf Walk. 

Merimbula Wharf - North Tura car park: Reasonable mobile service

Bournda Island - Kianinny Bay: No reliable mobile service

Kianinny Bay - Tathra Wharf: Reasonable mobile service

In an emergency, Dial Triple Zero (000). You will need mobile reception to dial Triple Zero (000). Make sure you download the Emergency Plus app before you walk, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS.

Food

It is recommended walkers carry their own food and drinks throughout the day. However, there is the option to start or finish your walk in style at Merimbula Wharf or Tathra Wharf. The Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf Restaurant is open for dine in and takeaway brunch, lunch and dinner. The Wharf Local at Tathra is open for dine in or take away from 8.30 – 4.00pm. The historic Tathra Hotel is also just up the road from Tathra Wharf, open for lunch and dinner during the week as well as breakfast on weekends. Opening times may vary and bookings may be required, so be sure to check with the venues directly. There are supermarkets, cafes and takeaway stores in Merimbula, Tura and Tathra for extended supplies.

Water

Water can be obtained in townsites, public toilets and from water tanks at Hobart Beach Campground. Please note the water tanks at Hobart Beach are not recommended for drinking and may not always contain water.  It is recommended that you plan to carry all necessary water with you.

• Stay on the track
• Stay at the only campsite available – Hobart Campground in Bournda National Park
• Use the public toilets
• Remove all rubbish
• Be courteous to other track-users
• Respect private property
• Do not disturb native plants and animals
• Plan & prepare your walk carefully

Campfires

A ‘Fuel Stove Only’ policy applies and no campfires are allowed anywhere along the Track at any time. There are firepits (but no wood) and electric barbeques at Hobart Campground. 

Rubbish

Please carry out all rubbish from the track - including toilet paper.  In particular, please do not leave 'Wet Wipes' or similar products in the bush as these do not degrade naturally and look very unsightly. There are toilets in many locations along the track. 

Toilets

Public toilets are available at Merimbula Wharf, Short Point Recreation Reserve, Short Point / Tura Beach car park, North Tura car park, Hobart Campground, Turingal Head car park, Kianinny Bay, and Tathra Wharf.

• Print & download your Track Notes
• Check weather, tides and emergency warnings
• Book Hobart campground if staying overnight
• Arrange transfers
• Take adequate drinking water (at least 2 litres per day, or more, if overnighting)
• Wear appropriate clothing (hat, sunscreen, waterproof gear etc)
• Carry a first-aid kit
• Tell someone where you are going and how long you expect to be
• Beware of rips & undertows (if swimming), slippery rocks & large waves
• Watch where you tread - snakes are common though rarely seen
• Beware of deep & swift flowing water at lake crossings (loosen backpacks before crossing)

The 200 metre Tathra Headland Walk from Tathra Wharf has been built to a standard for assisted wheelchair and pram access.  The entire section is either sealed or is boardwalk.  There is an accessible lookout along the way and an accessible toilet at the Wharf. 

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Keep a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and other people.
• Step on hard surfaces to pass.
• Do not bushwalk if you have flu like symptoms.

See COVID-19 requirements in NSW National Parks

The responsibility for enjoying and being safe on this walk is yours, and yours alone. Be prepared and responsible for yourself and any group you walk with. It is the Australian bush and so during periods of fire weather, you need to be aware of any declaration around a total fire ban. On the walk you will encounter slopes, uneven trails and steps, rocks, sticks, fallen trees, soft sands, and wildlife such as snakes. The beaches are not patrolled, and steep drop offs from the shore and rips can occur – take care if you swim. As noted previously, there is not a continuous phone reception along the walk. Take a first aid kit, food and water. Let someone know where you have gone. Take care and enjoy.

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