Seven Mile Beach National Park

Stretching along the New South Wales coast between Gerroa and Shoalhaven Heads, Seven Mile Beach National Park is a raw, windswept slice of coastal wilderness that feels a world away from the buzzy beachside towns further north. Named for its seemingly endless sweep of golden sand, this park is a haven for surfers, birdwatchers, and anyone craving a long, bracing walk with nothing but the roar of the Tasman Sea for company. The landscape is a shifting mosaic of dunes, coastal heath, and tranquil lagoons, offering a genuinely wild escape that rewards those who take the time to explore beyond the car park.

Highlights & What to See

• The beach itself: A magnificent 11-kilometre stretch of sand that's perfect for long walks, beach fishing, and – when conditions are right – some of the best surf breaks on the South Coast. The northern end near Gerroa is popular with boardriders, while the southern end feels more remote.
• Comerong Island Nature Reserve: Accessed via a short ferry ride from Shoalhaven Heads, this nearby island offers pristine beaches, coastal rainforest, and excellent birdwatching, including white-bellied sea eagles and migratory waders.
• Coolangatta Estate: Perched on the slopes of Mount Coolangatta, this historic winery produces excellent Semillon and Shiraz. The cellar door is housed in a convict-built building dating from the 1820s, and the views across the Shoalhaven River to the ocean are spectacular.
• Killalea State Park: Just a short drive north, this protected coastal headland is home to the legendary 'The Farm' surf break, plus walking trails through remnant rainforest and Aboriginal shell middens.
• Seven Mile Beach Lagoon: A tranquil backwater behind the dunes, perfect for a peaceful paddle or spotting waterbirds like black swans and herons.

Suggested Time to Spend

You can easily spend a full day exploring the park and its surrounds. Start with a morning walk along the beach (the full 11-kilometre stretch takes about three hours one way, but you can turn back whenever you like), then head to Coolangatta Estate for a relaxed lunch with a view. Afterwards, take the short ferry to Comerong Island for an afternoon of wildlife spotting. If you're short on time, a two-hour visit focusing on a beach walk and a quick look at the lagoon is still rewarding.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kiama: Famous for its blowhole and pretty harbour, Kiama is a 25-minute drive north and offers great cafés, a weekend farmers market, and the Kiama Coastal Walk.
• Berry: A charming historic town with a renowned cheese factory, antique shops, and excellent bakeries – perfect for a lunch stop on a road trip.
• Shoalhaven Heads: The gateway village to the park's southern end, with a golf course, a pub, and the ferry to Comerong Island.
• Jervis Bay: About 45 minutes south, this stunning marine park boasts some of the whitest sand in the world and is a prime spot for dolphin and whale watching.

Please check official sources for current details.