Broulee

Broulee is a sleepy coastal village on the South Coast of New South Wales, where the bush meets the sea in a tangle of spotted gums and turquoise water. It’s the kind of place where you kick off your shoes and let the rhythm of the waves dictate your day. The standout feature is Broulee Island, a nature reserve connected by a sandbar at low tide, offering a mini wilderness walk with panoramic ocean views. For swimmers and surfers, the main beach is a beauty – patrolled in summer, with gentle waves that suit learners and longboarders alike. The village itself is low-key: a general store, a surf club, and a scattering of holiday houses. This is a genuine, unpretentious slice of coast that rewards those who slow down.

Highlights & What to See

• Broulee Island Nature Reserve – Walk across the sandbar at low tide to explore the island’s coastal heath, rocky headlands, and lookouts over Mossy Point and the ocean. Keep an eye out for sea eagles and migrating whales (May–November).
• Broulee Beach – A sweeping curve of golden sand with a protected northern end perfect for families and a southern point that picks up swell for surfing. The surf club runs a great nippers program.
• Broulee Surf School – One of the friendliest learn-to-surf outfits on the coast, with patient instructors and gear included. Ideal for first-timers.
• Coastal walks – The headland walk from the southern end of the beach offers dramatic views and a chance to spot dolphins playing in the waves below.
• Local produce – Stop at Broulee Growers Market (Sundays) for fresh fruit, artisan bread, and local honey. The general store does a decent coffee and fish and chips.

Suggested Time to Spend

Broulee is best as a relaxed overnight stop or a two-day beach escape. Arrive mid-afternoon, walk the island at low tide, and catch sunset from the rocks. Next morning, take a surf lesson or a long beach walk before heading on. If you’re driving the South Coast, it’s a perfect lunch-and-swim stop for an hour or two – but you’ll likely want to linger.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Batemans Bay (15 min north) – The region’s hub, with a huge beach, oyster leases, and the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden.
• Mossy Point (5 min south) – A quieter, canal-lined village with a patrolled beach and excellent kayaking on the Tomaga River.
• Mogo (15 min inland) – A historic gold-rush town with a wildlife park, quirky shops, and the Mogo State Forest for bushwalking.
• Murramarang National Park (20 min north) – Home to the famous Pebbly Beach, where eastern grey kangaroos laze on the sand. Great camping and coastal hikes.
• Narooma (40 min south) – Stunning rock formations, Australia Rock (a natural arch), and the Montague Island nature reserve with penguins and seals.

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