By Geoff Whale, author of Northern Illawarra Beachwalks
DISTANCE 4km to 7km circuit, flat.
DIFFICULTY Easy.
SUMMARY Combines paved path with bush tracks through remnant coastal forest and a long beachwalk with views to Wollongong.
HAZARDS Cyclists; beach water crossing.
TRANSPORT Park at the end of Elliotts Road near the Fairy Meadow Surf Club, or add a 1.5km return walk to Fairy Meadow station.
The described walk can be shortened by omitting the northern section to Towradgi Point. Pass through the dunes to (3).
Head north along the shared pedestrian/cycle path that’s part of the Grand Pacific Walk. After 1.5km you reach the Towradgi Surf Club, the Bass & Flinders landing site marked with an information board, and recreation areas at Towradgi Point (2). Views south to the city are wonderful.
Step down before the pool onto Towradgi Beach, which is patrolled in summer.
Beachwalking is most pleasant if you stay close to the water where the sand is firmest, best on a falling tide. It’s a long (3.2km), meditative stroll along some of the most picturesque beach landscapes in the Illawarra. Fairy Meadow beach (3) is about half way, with dense coastal vegetation on your right.
As you approach Stuart Park (4) you’ll need to cross the Fairy Creek lagoon outlet. It’s often easy to step across, but after rain it becomes a wide, ankle-deep channel. (If you prefer you can leave the beach at the dog off-leash zone sign and cut straight to the historic sites.)
Exit at the grassy picnic areas, continue through the park and pick up the paved path on Squires Way. Turn right into Puckeys Estate Nature Reserve, an annexe of the Botanic Gardens and home to many bird species, marshlands and remnant forest.
After the boardwalk, take the right-hand fork to visit the salt-works site, including the remains of Puckey’s graduation tower (5).
Return to the main track and turn northward. The main trees are she-oaks bordering the water, with banksias, other natives and some exotic shrubs and grasses. Near the end the left fork leads past a bridge to a small island.
Northern Illawarra Beachwalks is available from Collins Thirroul.
