What To Do In Narooma: Seals, Beaches & Scenic Trails

Everyone raves about Jervis Bay, its surreal turquoise water, laid‑back charm, and “only‑place‑like‑this” reputation on the New South Wales coast. But it’s not alone. My mind always goes straight to Narooma.

Narooma isn’t the loud, show‑off kind of coastal town. It doesn’t need to be. Tucked between Batemans Bay and Bermagui, it’s just far enough from Sydney to make you feel like you’ve truly escaped.

Here, the water glows blue‑green like liquid glass, the rocks shimmer black and white like spilled ink, and the seals sunbathe strictly on their own schedule. I fell for Narooma instantly! Its calm, its colour, its quiet wildness. And I truly think it’s one of the most underrated destinations in New South Wales.

So here it is: my guide to everything that makes Narooma unforgettable.

Best things to do in Narooma, NSW

Walk to Wagonga Head: Australia Rock, Bar Rock Lookout & seals

If you do only one walk in Narooma, make it the short Wagonga Head track. Start from the parking lot at the end of Bar Rock road, and your first stop is the Bar Rock Lookout, with sweeping ocean views. This is the best place to look down on Wagonga Inlet.

Continue down the stairs, and within minutes you’re staring through Australia Rock, the sea‑carved frame shaped uncannily like the country itself. At low tide we could comfortably walk to the rock and pose for photos — once it was our turn, because I warn you, everyone wants this photo. Understandably, isn’t it cool?

Don’t turn back from here yet. Stroll all along the breakwater and watch the seals playing, sunbathing on the rocks, or just flipping lazily into the waves. This is their favorite place! And trust me, you’ll also stay here longer than intended.

Swim with seals at Montague Island

I’ll admit first that we haven’t done this one — yet. But it’s at the top of my Australian bucket list, because everyone who actually did it agrees that it’s one of the best wildlife experiences in Australia!

A short boat ride takes you to Montague Island (Barunguba), a wildlife sanctuary where hundreds of Australian fur seals nap, splash, and twirl. Then you jump into the crystal clear water and wait for them to come to play, or simply dart circles around you.

For the best experience though you need to be a good swimmer, and for any experience at all you need decent weather, because the tour is cancelled in case of too rough seas.

There are several local companies who offer various tours. We’d aim for Seal Swim Australia, they have excellent reviews, and they offer both snorkelling and diving tours.

What to bring? Reef‑safe sunscreen and a GoPro—you’ll want these memories on record.

Paddle the serene waters

Narooma is made for kayaks (or canoes). The Wagonga Inlet is the most straightforward option, and it turns a paddle into a mirror image on a calm day, glowing emerald, sometimes sapphire. The easiest launch site is Quota Park in the calm Forsters Bay. Else you can try the Narooma Boat Ramp, right behind the sand bar.

For an adventurous sea kayaking experience, join this half-day sea kayaking excursion from Batemans Bay. It takes you to remote sections of the South Coast, and you can look for wildlife (migrating whales in season!), and stop at secluded beaches along the way.

If you want to combine kayaking with snorkeling, this tour is great. It starts from Batemans Bay, and all the necessary gear is included.

Or bring your own kayak/canoe, and explore the still creeks in the area:

• Handkerchief Beach to Handkerchief Lake: the beach itself is a good launching spot, but this paddle is best at high tide (otherwise you’ll get stuck in the shallow water)
• Potato Point Creek to Lake Brunderee (in Eurobodalla National Park): launch here and paddle towards the lake
• Congo Creek from Congo Campground (in Eurobodalla National Park)

We enjoyed each of these short paddles, they felt remote, with herons for company and mangroves whispering above the waterline. But most of them get very shallow at low tide.

What to bring? A dry bag, or at least a waterproof phone pouch for peace of mind. Also, plenty of snacks so you can stay out for hours.

Explore Narooma by bike

One of the easiest ways to soak up Narooma’s coastal beauty is on two (electrically assisted) wheels. With a 2‑hour e‑bike rental, you can cruise beside turquoise water, pass pelicans perched on poles, cross Narooma Bridge while taking in the panoramic views across the Wagonga Inlet, and follow the scenic Narooma–Dalmeny cycle track.

Helmets are included, rentals can be extended for longer rides, and it’s suitable for almost any fitness level. Book it in advance here.

Watch the Little Penguins return to shore on Montague Island (evening tour)

Montague Island turns quietly magical at dusk as its wild residents begin their nightly routine. Followed by a twenty‑minute boat trip, this guided walk takes you to watch hundreds of Little Penguins waddle ashore after a day of fishing, then disappear into the hillside burrows.

The Montague Island Nature Reserve is also home to a large seal colony, dolphins, and migrating whales in winter. The Penguin walk runs from September to January when Little Penguins return to the island, and the exact tour time depends on sunset time. See more info here.

Stroll the Mill Bay Boardwalk

At only 350 metres, Mill Bay Boardwalk shouldn’t be this pretty. But the walkway hugs the inlet between Apex Park and the marina, and the water is so clear it feels like you’re snorkelling without getting wet. Schools of fish shimmer beneath the timber planks, stingrays glide past, and if you’re lucky, an octopus might be hiding in the shallows. You’ll certainly see the pelicans, and they might even pose for a photo.

Come during the golden hour, with takeaway iced lattes in hand. It’s Narooma condensed into one slow, perfect stroll.

Swim and snorkel at Bar Beach

With water this blue, it’s impossible not to take a dip. Narooma’s Bar Beach is one of the safest spots along this coastline, naturally sheltered and further protected by the breakwall at its northern tip. It’s patrolled in summer, and you find public toilets, a picnic area, BBQs and a boat ramp.

The shallows feel like an aquarium you can wade through, with schools of fish sparkling beneath the surface, and patient eyes might even spot a seahorse hiding among the weeds. Because the water is calm and clear, it’s a perfect place for beginners (or kids) to practise snorkelling.

If you’re with kids, Mill Bay Boardwalk Playground and Wagonga Playground are both close by. Or you can stroll the Mill Bay Boardwalk and arrive with your towel already warm from the sunshine.

Meet the wildlife at Narooma Wharf

Wildlife in Narooma doesn’t make you chase it. It tends to show up where the fish do. Head down to the public wharf and you’ll find the town’s liveliest gathering: pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, blowfish, maybe a seal or two loafing in the shallows.

The real show starts when the fishing boats return. As the catch is cleaned, scraps hit the water and a hungry audience of birds and seals swoops in. It’s messy, noisy, and absolutely unmissable.

Taste the South Coast: Narooma’s fresh seafood

You don’t have to be a foodie to fall for Narooma’s seafood, and the ocean practically serves it to you. Start with Wagonga rock oysters, the region’s pride: slurp them straight from the shell at The Quarterdeck, a waterfront bar and grill in Forsters Bay, or get a prawn taco and a Margarita at The Oyster Farmer’s Daughter. For classic fish and chips, go to The Inlet.

Take in the views at the best lookouts in Eurobodalla National Park

Okay, it’s somewhat north of Narooma, but it’s worth the 30-minutes drive. Eurobodalla National Park protects a beautiful untouched stretch of coastline in this region: a mosaic of wild beaches, rocky headlands, and dense coastal forest. Oh, and kangaroos and wallabies grazing peacefully on the grassy headlands or even down on the beaches, especially around dawn and dusk. Kangaroos and beach view — the quintessential Aussie experience.

It’s a park made for people who crave solitude and long, undeveloped shorelines rolling on for kilometres rather than kiosks and crowds. The easiest way to enjoy these views? Short strolls to the best lookouts: One Tree Point Lookout, Moruya Heads lookout, Potato Point Lookout and Jemisons Point.

Hike the Bingi Dreaming Track in Eurobodalla National Park

If you visit Eurobodalla National Park, don’t leave without walking at least a portion of the Bingi Dreaming Track. Part hiking trail, part cultural journey, this track follows a traditional coastal route used by the Brinja-Yuin People. It stretches for 14 km one way, lined with wildflowers, middens, and long rolls of ocean swell.

Since we visited with a preschooler who tends to complain when walks get too long and he doesn’t have enough time to splash in the water, we only did the 6 km section between Bingi Point and Mulimburra Point. I fell in love at the very first view of a windswept headland! Sandy coves, sand dunes and colorful rock formations followed, with barely a footprint in sight. I’m confident I want to return here, maybe for a solo walk another time.

Chase hidden beaches and picturesque rock formations

Visit Narooma Beach, also called the Surfing Beach, and walk to Glasshouse Rocks — at low tide only. For spectacular headland views, take Glasshouse Rocks Road, then turn left onto Cemetery Road and park at the Narooma Cemetery car park. From there, walk past the cemetery toward the white fence, and enjoy the ocean panorama opening up. At the northern end of Narooma Beach there is a display of igneous pillow lava.

Take a morning stroll at the gently curving Handkerchief Beach. It’s not really for swimmers, but the soft sand stretches out long and the waves are impressive.

Wander Tilba Tilba & Central Tilba

Fifteen minutes south, these twin villages are a time capsule: restored cottages now housing local artisans, cheese tastings at Tilba Dairy, and laneways heavy with flowers.

Where to stay in Narooma

Narooma makes it easy to match your style, whether it’s balcony breakfasts or beach‑side glamping:

• Amooran Oceanside Apartments and Motel: Just across from the golf course and a short stroll to the beach, Amooran offers a range of bright, comfortable rooms, studios and apartments. Some rooms come with ocean‑view balconies where you can watch the morning light spill over the water before heading out for the day. There’s an outdoor swimming pool and free parking for guests.
• Discovery Parks at Narooma Beach: For cabins, family stays, or seaside glamping, this park right beside Surf Beach is the best choice. The definition of laid‑back coastal living.
• Top of the Town Motor Inn: A reliable, budget‑friendly base in the centre of town. Clean rooms, friendly hosts, and a short walk to cafés, the wharf, and the boardwalk make it great value for travellers focusing on experiences over extras.

Tips for visiting Narooma

Best time to visit:
From late spring to early autumn, the water is warm enough for swimming and snorkelling, and evenings are pleasant for dinners by the bay. Summer holiday is a busy season though, be prepared for crowds (at least by Aussie standards) and book things in advance.

Winter has its own charm: you’ll trade swims for whale‑watching from the lookouts as humpbacks cruise their annual route just offshore. It’s also a lovely time for walking and paddling — no sunstroke danger on the unshaded routes.

Getting there:
Narooma sits about five hours south of Sydney or three hours from Canberra. The road leading in is part of the adventure if you have the time: glimpses of sea, farm stalls selling honey and adorable coastal towns.

What to pack:
Bring your snorkel set and reef‑safe sunscreen, a wide‑brim hat, and a camera. Binoculars come in handy for spotting seals, dolphins, and whales. But pack light; you won’t need much beyond curiosity and a towel that dries fast.

So… you’ll fall for Narooma

Because it’s impossible not to. The town seems painted in turquoise and still air, its rhythm set by tides and seal yawns. Yes, New South Wales, you still know how to surprise me quietly.