Batemans Bay Natural Attractions ...A wealth of natural attractions awaits your discovery at Batemans Bay. From anywhere in the region you are never more than minutes from the bush or the beach. The mountains are behind us and the Clyde River is right in town. We didn't actually plan it that way - it's just our good luck ... and yours!
NATIONAL PARKS BEACHES MOUNTAINS LAKES CLYDE RIVER National Parks
A number of beautifully diverse National Parks exhibit their natural glory close to Batemans Bay. Whilst visiting these parks we ask that you respect their purpose ie to protect our natural heritage. Please take all rubbish with you, do not disturb flora and fauna and definitely do not take pets. Further information on access and facilities in these parks can be obtained from the Visitors Centre or from the National Parks & Wildlife Service District Office at Narooma on (044) 762888.These parks collectively cover over 150,000 hectares of our famous eucalypt forests and magical waterways. Many species of Australian native flora and fauna are found in these preserved areas and pockets of pristine rainforest exist.  You will definitely find kangaroos, wallabies, possums
and parrots of all the colours of the rainbow. You could also meet bandicoots, goannas,
echidnas, wombats and many others.
There are many trails for bushwalking and some amazing places to reach, although parts of all parks are rugged. Regulated camping is allowed and our temperate climate ensures you'll enjoy our great outdoors all year around.MURRAMARANG NATIONAL PARK to the north, clings to the coastlineand protects fragile beaches, rugged headlands and fascinating rock formations. Access is via the South Durras Rd 10kms north of Batemans Bay and via Pebbly Beach Rd about 20kms north of the Bay. EUROBODALLA NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 20kms south of Batemans Bay  between Moruya Head and Tilba Tilba Lake and also runs along the coastline. Covering an area of over 2,000 ha this Park includes wetlands, estuaries and catchment systems. The Park was established in 1995 and new visitor facilities are currently under development. Access is available via the Princes Highway.West of Moruya you can explore the rugged DEUA NATIONAL PARK which features wild and scenic rivers. Covering an area of over 80,000 ha this Park exhibits marked vegetation changes in its various altitudes.  Camping facilities are available at the Deua River Camping Area found by travelling west on the Araluen Rd inland from Moruya and at Bendethera Camping Area found by travelling along Little Sugarloaf which is partly a four wheel drive road.MONTAGUE ISLAND (Barunguba) Nature Reserve, 9km offshore from Narooma, is popular with tourists. Access is restricted to guided tours by National Parks personnel in order to protect the habitats of seals, penguins and seabirds. The island is most famous for its lighthouse which provides a fascinating lesson in lightstation history.  WALLAGA LAKE and WADBILLIGA NATIONAL PARKS are also within driving distance from Batemans Bay. These parks are south and south west of Narooma and are mostly suitable for bushwalking. 
Beaches
The variety and splendour of the beaches found around the Batemans Bay area is unsurpassed in the state. River and ocean beaches abound, all with their own special characteristics.
Picture a clean beautiful beach, stretching as far as the eye can see, with clean rolling surf and
clean sparkling sands. With a magnificent backdrop of mountains opposite the shining Pacific
Ocean and no footprints but your own ... you'll think you're the only person on earth. Its all here, every day
on this, the biggest of all the Pacific Islands.Alternatively, you can enjoy the colourful activity of popular, patrolled in summer, surfing beaches close to town and food outlets etc. 
All levels of surfing are available. There are beaches locally famous with enthusiastic board
and body surfers. Others are more sheltered and provide hours of enjoyment for less
adventurous surfers and paddlers. Some beaches combine both gentle and stronger waters,
and most have rock pools teeming with life and other fascinating geographic formations to
explore.Besides playing in the sand and waves, you can dive, fish, and sail our crystal clean waters. 
Or just sit and watch the dolphins and maybe sight whales as they stop to frolic on their twice
yearly migration along our coast.
Mountains
The mountains around Batemans Bay are a bushwalker's delight. Fresh eucalypt
forests, palms, the laughing of kookaburras and the enchanting call of the bell bird,
pristine streams and magic panoramic views are all there. Whether you want to go
for a 15min walk or for days of trekking and camping, you'll be witness to a nature at its finest.There are many good walking tracks and map guides are available. Some of the most popular are; The Corn Trail This walk follows the track down the Clyde Mountain used many years ago by the traders from the Southern Tablelands as they brought their produce down to the Clyde River at Nelligen. From here it was transported by steamers to the river mouth and north to Sydney. Pigeon House This local landmark is a must for all explorers. Whether just to see it or to climb it, don't miss it. 
Mount DurrasMount Durras is situated in the Murramarang National Park about 30mins north of Batemans Bay. From the top you enjoy a bird's eye view of the coastline for many kilometres north and south. The trail to the top starts at Pebbly Beach, also famous in these parts for the tame kangaroos that gather there. Mount Dromedary This mountain, named by Cook for its hump similar to that of the camel, is around an hour's drive south from Batemans Bay. Another enjoyable climb rewarded at the top by coastal vistas.
Lakes
Our lakes, like the rest of our area, are a photographers dream and their beauty is
loved by all who take the time to appreciate their contrast to our beaches. Generally our
lakes are surrounded by beautiful bushlands and flocks of many graceful waterbirds
can be found.Durras, Coila and Tuross Lakes are all within an hour from the Bay. Durras Lake is around ten minutes north of Batemans Bay. It is bordered by the Murramarang National Park and Kiola State Forest and its foreshores are undeveloped. Durras Lake provides a wonderful setting for a holiday (at one of the adjacent villages) or just a picnic outing. 
Coila Lake is less than an hour south of Batemans Bay and is famous for its prawns which can be caught with light and prawn net on dark, moonless nights. Night prawning is an experince in itselfThe Tuross Lake system is just south of Coila and includes many smaller lakes. All are beautiful and the fishing is good.
Clyde River
The Clyde River with Batemans Bay at its mouth is alone worth the visit to our town. You can
be in the mountains from which it is sourced after a short  drive, or you can play on and
admire the river at its grandest point, the entrance to the Pacific Ocean at the Bay.
Take the following jump to read more about the Clyde, a special river.
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