Wallagoot Gap to White Rock

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 30 mins

9 km Return

398 m

Hard track

The walk to White Rock from Wallagoot Gap is an excellent way to experience the Bournda National Park coastline. The walk is scattered with many views of the coastline, with Games Bay, about halfway, a nice spot to cool down. The White Rocks provide a great picnic area (no facilities) for lunch before returning to Wallagoot car park.

Kangarutha Track sign above Wallagoot Gap

(0km) Wallagoot Beach Carpark → Int. Wallagoot Gap and Kangarutha Trks

220 m

4 mins

-7m Easy track

(Wallagoot car park is found at the end of Wallagoot Lake Rd, off the Sapphire Coast Drive.) This walk leaves the car park along the track between the information sign (on the right) and toilet (on the left), heading between two cut logs. The wide track dips through a valley then heads over a rise, coming to a signposted intersection (with a timber platform on the right).

(0km) Int. Wallagoot Gap and Kangarutha Trks → Wallagoot Gap

110 m

2 mins

-8m Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads to the timber platform then down the timber steps onto Wallagoot Gap Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Wallagoot Gap

Wallagoot Gap is situated south of Tathra, facing east out onto the South Pacific Ocean. The gap is created by two headlands that protect the main beach from the wind. A second beach can be found around the corner of Wallagoot Gap, by following the right-hand side wall. Wallagoot Gap is an excellent place for a swim or a play in the sand. The gap can be accessed from Wallagoot Beach car park at the end of Wallagoot Lake Rd or the Kangarutha Track.

(0km) Int. Wallagoot Gap and Kangarutha Trks → Games Bay

2.4 km

49 mins

82m

-86m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Kangarutha Walking Track' arrow through the trees, keeping the coast to the right. The track winds for some time, with the ocean far below to the right of the track. The track winds back and forth for quite some time, with posts leading the way through areas of open and closed vegetation. The walk then turns left into a Games Bay, a large bay, with many access track leading down to the ocean on the right of the track. This walk leads around the bay to turn right, down to into the sandy Games Bay. The small bushes at the back of the bay hide the signpost for 'Games Bay'.

Games Bay

Games Bay, Bournda National Park, is located along the Kangarutha Track, south of Tathra. The bay is formed by two rocky sides, and backed by a sandy beach. Games Bay Creek runs through the beach out to sea, but flows intermittently. The bay is named after Mr Games, a settler who cleared and used the surrounding area of the bay for dairy farming. Mr Games also made a track from Games Bay to White Rock. The bay is backed by a small fireplace with driftwood seats around it.

(3km) Games Bay → Int. White Rock Rd and Kangarutha Trk Sth

1.6 km

36 mins

109m

-69m Hard track

Turn left: From the sandy creek bed at the back of Games Bay, this walk follows the track marker arrow up the hill, keeping the ocean to the right. The walk winds up the stairs to a signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow across the hill. The track meanders for a short time to then wind down steps to a sandy river bed at the peak of a bay, with an easy-to-miss signpost for 'Games Bay'.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill away from the valley, keeping the ocean on the right. The track leads up to an area of tall bush trees, then tends left down the hill. The walk continues along the hillside, keeping the ocean on the right. The track meanders through the heath, passing a few good viewing points of the coast. The walk then meets a large black termite mound, where the track turns left up the hill. The track continues up the hill, tending right to then go down a slight hill to a signposted intersection with a management trail.

(4km) Int. White Rock Rd and Kangarutha Trk Sth → White Rock Carpark

160 m

4 mins

-25m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the track marker arrow. The track heads down the hill for a short time to another track marker on the left of the management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill towards the ocean. The track soon tends right, down to a cul-de-sac in the management trail.

(4km) White Rock Carpark → White Rock Nth route

100 m

2 mins

-12m Hard track

Continue straight: On the side of the car park where the road leads up the hill, this walk follows track around the cliff tops, keeping the small bay below on the left. The track heads around the small hill (above on the right), leading to a point on the white rock which overlooks the sea and surrounding coast.

White Rock

White Rock, Bournda National Park, as the name suggests, is an area of white coloured rocks, south of Tathra. The rocks form the headland with spectacular views of the coastline both to the North and South, and across the South Pacific Ocean. White Rock car park is backed by an old quarry, which formed the amphitheatre of rock behind it. White Rock can be accessed by White Rock Rd, off the Snowy Mountains Highway.

Maps for the Wallagoot Gap to White Rock walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Wolumla	1:25 000 Map Series	88242N WOLUMLA	NSW-88242N
Bega	1:100 000 Map Series	8824 BEGA	8824

Cross sectional view of the Wallagoot Gap to White Rock bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallagoot Gap to White Rock

Altitude analysis for Wallagoot Gap to White Rock

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	9 km
		Time	3 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

3.8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 420m is very steep. The remaining (220m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

4.1km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 220m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (160m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

4km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 310m has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (220m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 4.5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 260m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (220m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Wallagoot Gap to White Rock walk.

White Rock

194 m Circuit, 10 mins

This is a great short walk to some appropriately named white rocks. The White Rock is not the only attraction of this walk, there are also great views over the surrounding coast. You might even see some locals jumping from the cliffs opposite White Rocks car park.

Total climbing: 12m

Hard track

Wallagoot Gap

648 m Return, 15 mins

Wallagoot Gap is a spectacular gorge, cut into the rock by the ocean. The Gap is a popular swimming spot where the water is channeled over a small reef and through the tall rock walls. The seclusion created by the tall walls of the beach give some protection from the wind and waves, but there is no

Total climbing: 22m

Easy track

Wallagoot Beach

1 km Return, 30 mins

This walk is a short route onto Wallagoot Beach. On the walk down to the beach you are rewarded with views across Wallagoot Lake as well as the long Wallagoot and Bournda Beaches. The beach is a popular place for swimming and in good conditions the rocks on the northern end of the beach provide some

Total climbing: 37m

Moderate track

Wallagoot car park to Games Bay

5.2 km Return, 2 hrs

The walk to Games Bay from Wallagoot car park follows the picturesque coastline north. The walk is well signposted and the turquoise blue water is right next to the track as it winds onto the sandy beach of the bay. The secluded beach is a great place to spend a few hours splashing in the water and

Total climbing: 182m

Hard track

Hobart Beach to Wallagoot Gap

6 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This is a wonderful beach walk, to a more secluded beach. The walk crosses the dunes from Hobart Beach camping area and follows Wallagoot Beach north to Wallagoot Gap, just over the headland to the north. The Gap hides a small solitary beach which is a popular place for locals to swim or enjoy a qui

Total climbing: 70m

Moderate track

Kangarutha Track

8.8 km One way, 4 hrs

The Kangarutha Track takes walkers from Tathra south to near Wallagoot Gap. The walk explores about half of the Bournda National Park coast line. This coastline has many beautiful bays and scenic ocean views. There are a few bays where you would be able to have a splash to cool yourself down on tho

Total climbing: 453m

Hard track

Hobart Beach to Games Bay

10.5 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

The walk to Games Bay from Hobart Beach camping area is a fantastic walk to this gem of a secluded beach. The turquoise waters of Games Bay tempt many people for a swim, and the bay is a great place for lunch under a shady tree.

Total climbing: 230m

Hard track

Kangarutha Track to Hobart Beach

11.5 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk extends the Kangarutha Track, starting from Kianiny Bay in Tathra and following the coast to Hobart Beach camping area. This coastal walk is dotted with many secluded beaches and bays, great places to watch the waves roll in, or to get the toes wet. The walk along the sandy Wallagoot Beach

Total climbing: 476m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Wallagoot Gap to White Rock walk.

Hobart Beach loop

1.2 km Circuit, 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore Hobart Beach as it leaves the popular camping area to follow along the shore of Wallagoot Lake. The track is soft underfoot with most of the walk on sand. This is great way to enjoy the shore of Wallagoot Lake.

Total climbing: 1m

Moderate track

Scotts Hut

3.6 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

The track to the historic Scotts Hut is a great walk along the shores of Wallagoot Lake and Scotts Bay. The walk is well signposted as it leads into the open grass area of Scotts Hut picnic area. The hut itself is well worth an explore and a peek through the windows of this once pioneer home.

Total climbing: 6m

Easy track

Hobart Beach, Bournda Lagoon and Beach loop

10.6 km Circuit, 3 hrs 45 mins

This is an expansive walk out from Hobart Beach camping area taking in some of the best sights of Bournda National Park. The walk explores the area from the campsite, and around Bournda Lagoon, before following the beautiful North Tura and Bournda beaches back to the start. There is plenty of opport

Total climbing: 139m

Hard track

Hobart Beach camping area to Bournda Lagoon

5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

From Hobart Beach camping area, this walk passes the hidden Bondi Lake to come to Bournda Lagoon. The lagoon is a wonderful oasis with the deep pool and sandy, shaded edges making a really pleasant area. The proximity to Bournda Beach also creates the opportunity to have a body surf. The track to Bo

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Hobart Beach to Bournda Island Loop

7.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

The walk to Bournda Island from Hobart Beach camping area is an excellent way to see some of the sights in Bournda National Park. The first half of this picturesque walk is mainly closed in by heath and melaleuca, with closeup views of the local environment. The second half enjoys panoramic views fr

Total climbing: 70m

Hard track

Hobart Beach camping area to Bournda Trig loop

8 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Hobart Beach camping area to Bournda Trig is a long walk, heading up the biggest hill in the area. The view from the top is shrouded by trees, giving visitors water glimpses and views of the ranges to the east. The walk is great exercise and explores a diverse range of environments in

Total climbing: 251m

Experienced only

Hobart Beach camping area to Bondi Lake

5 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

The walk from Hobart Beach camping area to Bondi Lake is an interesting one, mostly running parallel to the lake, which you can't see, till the very end. The walk is shaded for most of the way due to the thick heath surrounding the track until it opens out onto Bondi Lake (dry when we walked it).

Total climbing: 42m

Experienced only

Bournda Beach car park to Beach

464 m Return, 10 mins

This walk is the most direct route onto Bournda Beach. The walk heads from the car park through the shaded heath to climb over the dunes and onto the beach. This places you on the beach just north of Bournda Lagoon and Island.

Total climbing: 10m

Moderate track

Bournda Lagoon lookout

482 m Return, 12 mins

This is a short walk that showcases Bournda Lagoon from a beautiful angle. The start of the walk is found at the Bournda Lagoon car park. The halfway point of the walk is the lookout above the lagoon, giving a great view across most of the lagoon and out to sea. After the walk you may want to head

Total climbing: 14m

Hard track

Bournda Lagoon via North Tura Lookout

5.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

The Bournda Lagoon track is a wonderful walk around the Lagoon, exploring the surrounding area. Bournda Lagoon and Sandy Beach Creek support some lush vegetation, including a rain forest, on their shores. The walk is well signposted with the option to miss the North Tura section of the walk and head

Total climbing: 107m

Hard track

Bournda Lagoon

286 m Return, 5 mins

The wide and shady track to Bournda Lagoon slowly winds down to the edge of this wonderful lagoon. The Lagoon is fed by Sandy Beach Ck and is separated from Bournda Beach by a small sand dune. There are limited shaded spots once on the lagoon bank, but if you bring your own shade this is a great pla

Total climbing: 3m

Moderate track

Bournda Lagoon car park to Bournda Island

2.1 km Return, 45 mins

This walk passes Bournda Lagoon and crosses Bournda Beach to follow the headland to the island. Bournda Island divides North Tura and Bournda beaches. The island is exposed to the elements and provides stunning views along both beaches. The cave at the bottom of the island is interesting to explore

Total climbing: 35m

Hard track