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It is your holiday. Be active or just relax. As well as the ideas below, we are central to many regional attractions and activities.
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FISHING |
 Fishing is perhaps the most popular pastime for most visitors. Try for flathead and bream in Durras Lake, whiting, tailor and salmon off the beach, or for the more experienced, there are many rock-hopping opportunities close by.
A basic boat ramp allows for small boats to Durras Lake, but no access to the ocean.
Prawning at night is also very popular during summer - a few days before and after the new moon.
The good news is that commercial fishing will soon cease in Durras Lake (part of Batemans Marine Park) which means better recreational fishing for the future.
If you don't fish, we suggest a walk around the rock platforms viewing the marine life in the various tidal pools.
Bait and a good range of tackle is available from the shop. |
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SWIMMING |
 Two choices here. Durras Lake or Durras Beach.
The lake when closed usually offers plenty of shallow sandy areas for swimming. When it is open, take care as the tides can cause strong currents near the ocean entrance.
The lake opens and closes naturally. When closed, it may take a couple of years for sufficient water to fill the lake before it breaks through its sandy wall into the ocean again. The lake is regarded as the most pristine in NSW. Check out our bushwalk suggestions for some "must do" walks adjacent to the lake. Eventually the lake entrance fills up with sand and may take a couple of years for the lake to fill so it can break through the sand barrier once again.
The beach is 3km long. The most popular swimming area is at the "Caves" and "Calm Corner" at the northern end of the beach. Just ask us for suggestions and directions. The beach is unpatrolled and can be dangerous at times, so caution must always be taken. |
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BUSHWALKING |
 The Bushwalks starting in the Durras North area are amongst the most popular in the whole of the Murramarang National Park. The most popular is the "Discovery Trail" which starts at the back of our camping ground. Other walks include: "Durras Lake Walk"; "Bobs Rock"; The "Rainforest Walk"; "Durras Mountain"; and more. As most of these walks are poorly signposted, we have detailed sheets for our guests to ensure you find your way easily.
Just as popular as our bushwalks are our Beachwalks which are described in the next section. |
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BEACHWALKING |
 Durras Beach is just a 3 minute walk from our park. Simply beautiful! Some guests enjoy taking a leisurely stroll along the 3km beach, however we have many other options.
A delightful short walk is north to Calm Corner - sometimes referred to as the Blue Lagoon. Want to really experience the beauty of our coast? Then try: "Point Upright"; "Depot to Pebbly Beach"; Pebbly to Pretty Beach. Or combine them all! As with our Bushwalks, we have detailed direction sheets for our guests so you can find your way easily. All our staff are keen walkers and are happy to advise you on suitable walks. |
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CAMPING |
 At the Durras Beach Camping Ground located at the rear of our park, you really feel as if you are camping in the bush. Many sites adjoin the bush of the Murramarang National Park. Most of our camping ground is shaded by towering spotted gums.
Kangaroos, possums, goannas and a myriad of colourful birds regard this as their home so visits to your campsite are often!
All of our campsites have basic wood fired barbecues which give you the opportunity to cook your freshly caught fish or maybe just a few snags. Go camping - a great Australian pastime. |
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SURFING |
 Surfboard riding is very popular at Durras North but crowds are rare. The breaks depend upon wind and swell direction. Generally speaking, the northern end of Durras Beach provides the most consistent surf. A couple of times each year, "Hammerheads" off Depot Beach works for some spectacular big wave surfing.
Soft edged surfboards (ideal for beginners) and inflatable surf-o-planes are available for hire from our shop.
Durras Beach is unpatrolled but at the very northern end of the beach, appropriately named "Calm Corner", is sheltered from the wind and most swells. Annual water temperature ranges from 15 - 23 deg.
Durras Beach is unpatrolled so caution should always be exercised. |
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BIKE RIDING |
| Mountain bike riding is very popular in the area with many kilometres of old forestry trails to explore. Many of our bushwalks are perfect options. If you are not a mountain biker, many cyclists just stretch out on the local roads of Durras North and Depot Beach. |
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BIRDWATCHING |
 If you are a keen birdwatcher, then you will be amazed at the variety of birdlife in the area. With the three major natural environments including: Durras Lake; the beach & marine platforms; and the bush of the Murramarang National Park, you will soon be ticking off many of the 207 species of birds in the area! Of special note is the endangered Hooded Plover which regularly nests amongst the sandhills of Durras Beach.
Not to mention the Kookaburras, King Parrots, Lyrebirds, Rosellas, Lorikeets, Wattle birds, Fairy Wrens, Bower Birds, Plovers, Pelicans, Black Swans, Sooty Oyster Catches, Sea Eagles... |
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SPOTLIGHTING |
 A great night time activity is walking through the bush with a very strong torch and spotlighting some of the native animals abundant in the area. Possums are common and you may also see Sooty Owls, Greater, Sugar or Yellow Bellied Gliders and Bandicoots.
If you miss out spotting the animals, it is still a great experience walking through the bush at night. |
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CANOEING |
| Durras Lake is perfect for canoeing. If you have a canoe, we strongly suggest you bring it with you to explore the extensive waterways of the lake. Or, you can hire a canoe at Durras North. |
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SEA KAYAKING |
Sea Kayakers also spend a lot of time in the area, primarily exploring Durras Lake. For the more experienced paddlers, short ocean hops to nearby beaches and bays is another possibility.
If you haven't been sea kayaking before, it is possible to try it out with one of the sea kayaking operators who conduct tours of the lake and surrounding areas. |
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SNORKELLING & DIVING |
 If you think the environment of the Durras North area is beautiful, that's only half the story. The marine environment here is just as spectacular! Grab a mask and snorkel to experience some of the best snorkeling areas on the South Coast. There are many sheltered rock platforms nearby and at Depot and Pebbly beaches. For scuba divers, it is possible to park your car and "rock hop" many spots as well. Of course, weather and ocean conditions must always be considered before undertaking this activity. |
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OPEN AIR MOVIES |
 For our guests over the Christmas holiday period, we have open air movies at our "Surfboard Cinema."
A great experience in the open air.
Of course, always subject to weather conditions! |
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