Dragons Back Trail

Stretching like a reptilian spine along the coastline of New South Wales, the Dragons Back Trail is a spectacular coastal walk that delivers heart-pumping views and a genuine sense of wilderness. This 4.5-kilometre (one-way) track links the sleepy village of Gerroa with the dramatic headland of Seven Mile Beach National Park, rewarding hikers with uninterrupted ocean panoramas, whale-watching opportunities (May–November), and a bracing dose of salt air. It’s a quintessential Australian coastal experience that feels far removed from the crowds, yet is easily accessible from the nearby towns of Kiama and Berry.

Highlights & What to See

• Seven Mile Beach Lookout: The trail’s crowning viewpoint, where you can gaze north over the vast sandy arc of Seven Mile Beach and south towards the distant cliffs of Shoalhaven Heads. On clear days, look for migrating humpbacks breaching offshore.
• Headland Blowhole: At the southern end of the walk, a natural blowhole erupts in a spray of white foam when the swell is up – a dramatic finale to the hike.
• Coastal Heath & Birdlife: The track winds through windswept heathland alive with wildflowers in spring (especially golden wattle and purple fan-flowers) and the calls of eastern yellow robins and superb fairy-wrens.
• Gerroa Village: Start or end your walk in this laid-back beach hamlet, where you can grab a coffee at the Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Co-op or a cold beer at the Gerroa Ocean View Hotel.
• Whale-Watching Platforms: Several informal viewing spots along the trail offer front-row seats for the annual humpback migration – bring binoculars.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow a relaxed half-day (3–4 hours) to complete the one-way walk and linger at viewpoints. Most walkers park at the northern end near Seven Mile Beach and walk south to Gerroa, then arrange a shuttle or taxi back. Alternatively, you can do a shorter out-and-back from either end – the southern section from Gerroa to the blowhole is a breezy 1.5-hour round trip. For photographers, aim for late afternoon when the golden light softens the cliffs and the ocean turns a deep cobalt blue.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kiama: Just a 15-minute drive north, famous for its Kiama Blowhole, pretty harbour, and the Kiama Coastal Walk.
• Berry: A charming historic town 20 minutes inland, known for its antique shops, berry farms, and the lush Kangaroo Valley nearby.
• Seven Mile Beach National Park: Extend your coastal exploration with longer walks, birdwatching, and swimming at patrolled beaches.
• Shoalhaven Heads: A quiet seaside village at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach, ideal for a relaxed lunch or a spot of fishing.
• Jervis Bay: About an hour south, this stunning marine park boasts some of the whitest sands in Australia and exceptional dolphin-watching cruises.

Please check official sources for current details.