Culburra Beach Travel Guide: Beaches, Oysters & Crookhaven Heads
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Culburra Beach sits on the NSW South Coast, around 2 hours and 45 minutes from Sydney. It’s a small, pretty, low-key beach town flanked by the Crookhaven River, Lake Wollumboola and two surf beaches, and it works well as a quiet weekend on its own or stop over on a longer South Coast road trip.
The village itself is fairly small and there isn’t a big dining or shopping scene, but there’s enough to find somewhere for morning coffee, lunch and dinner. A perfect Culburra Beach visit includes walks to the lighthouse and along the lake, beach swims and fresh oysters.
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Is Culburra Beach worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want a quiet NSW South Coast beach town without a packed itinerary. Culburra Beach gives you two surf beaches, a peaceful lake walk, a short lighthouse walk and one of the best fresh oyster stops on this stretch of coast.
Local history: Max Dupain’s Sunbaker, one of the most recognised Australian photographs ever taken, was shot at Culburra Beach in 1937. The man in the photo, Harold Salvage, was a British builder on a surfing trip, not a professional model. The original negative was lost, so the iconic print everyone knows today was actually made from a second, different negative.
Why visit Culburra Beach?
- Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse walk, with river and ocean views on either side.
- The Sheepwash Creek walking track around Lake Wollumboola.
- Fresh oysters and prawns at Jim Wild’s Oysters, a short drive away at Greenwell Point.
- Two surf beaches, Culburra Beach and Warrain Beach, plus Tilbury Cove and Penguin Head Lookout.
- A recently renovated bowling club, a handful of good value cafes and a laneway Mexican bar.
- A good selection of holiday houses available, giving you options for families, couples and groups.
Culburra Beach at a glance
| Distance from Sydney | Around 2 hours and 45 minutes, 182 km |
| Distance from Canberra | Just under 3 hours, 211 km |
| Best for | Families, groups, couples, low-key beach weekends |
| Known for | Crookhaven Heads, Lake Wollumboola, surf beaches and fresh oysters |
| Ideal stay | 2 nights, or longer if in holiday accommodation |
| Best time to visit | Spring to autumn for swimming and beach walks; May to November for whale watching from Penguin Head Lookout. Busy in school holidays. |
| Accommodation | Accommodation options are mainly holiday houses rather than hotels or motels. Check both Booking.com and Stayz, as they list different properties. |
How long should you stay in Culburra Beach?
- 1 night: Enough for the Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse walk, a stop at Jim Wild’s Oysters on the way in and dinner at the bowling club, but it will feel rushed.
- 2 nights: The best fit for most visits. You can do both main walks, fit in the Greenwell Point oyster stop, try a couple of the local restaurants and still take it slowly.
- Longer: If you are self-catering holiday house accommodation then Culburra Beach can work well for a longer beach holiday.
Best things to do in Culburra Beach
Walk to Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse
The Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse walk is short, around 500 metres each way, through scrub and then a grassy and sandy area with driftwood teepee sculptures built by locals and kids, and there are Aboriginal tree carvings nearby to look out for.
Personal note: The walk is very short and fairly easy, although it is quite muddy when wet and there are some stairs that are slippery after rain. If you’re just doing it for the lighthouse, you might be a little disappointed as it’s pretty basic, the area is overgrown and the lighthouse itself is derelict. It’s worth doing for the views either side though, across to the river and out to the ocean.
Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse was commissioned in 1904 and decommissioned in 2007, and its isolated, overgrown setting has made it a target for vandalism over the years. A replica of the lighthouse, including its original lantern, was installed at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in 2022 if you want to see what it would look like in better condition.
Follow the Sheepwash Creek walking track around Lake Wollumboola
Starting at Warrain Beach, the Sheepwash Creek walking track is a 3.1 km out-and-back sandy trail that follows the edge of Lake Wollumboola. It’s flat, easy underfoot and very peaceful, with plenty of birdlife around the lake.
Lake Wollumboola is an important habitat for endangered shorebirds, so dogs aren’t permitted on this side. If you’re travelling with a dog, head to the Crookhaven side of town instead.
Personal note: This was one of the best things we did on our last visit to Culburra Beach. It’s a sandy track around the lake, very peaceful and quiet, with lots of birds. You can lose the track from time to time as it branches out so you may find yourself back tracking when you hit a dead end.
Swim or surf at Culburra Beach and Warrain Beach
Culburra Beach has two main surf beaches facing in different directions either side of Penguin Head, so there’s usually a sheltered option whichever way the swell is running. Both beaches are patrolled by the Culburra Beach and Nowra Surf Lifesaving Club over the summer holiday period, so check the beachsafe website flags and patrol times before swimming outside those windows.
Scramble over the rocks at Tilbury Cove
Tilbury Cove is around a 30-minute walk along the main street from the town centre, right near Penguin Head Lookout and a great kid’s playground at Tilbury Cove reserve. From the playground, you can walk down to a second grassed reserve area (perfect for a picnic), and then on to the beach and the rocks. There’s lovely views back across Culburra Beach and out on to the rocks at the headland.
Check out the views from Penguin Head Lookout
Penguin Head Lookout gives you sweeping ocean views (excellent for whale watching between May and November), as well as views across both beaches. There is easy parking right next to the lookout, and then just a short path to the lookout platform.
Take a day trip to Jim Wild’s Oysters at Greenwell Point
Jim Wild’s Oysters is a family-owned working oyster farm on the Crookhaven River at Greenwell Point, around 15 minutes from Culburra Beach. It’s been operating since 1979, and because the oysters are processed on site, you can watch the whole process while you eat. There are several tables out on the deck next to the river and it’s peaceful and quiet.
Personal note: This is one of the best fresh seafood stops we’ve made on the South Coast. The prawns in the prawn cocktail were incredibly fresh, and the oysters were excellent too. There’s a lot more choice than the usual fresh seafood shack, think oysters kilpatrick and mornay, prawn rolls and more, making it an easier stop if you are travelling with kids who may not be too keen on fresh oysters.
Take in the sunset views at the boat ramp
The Crookhaven Heads Boat Ramp is just around the corner from the Crookhaven Lighthouse. It’s an excellent spot for a quiet picnic, fishing, or checking out the pelicans. It’s also the perfect place to watch the sunset across Crookhaven River.
Where to eat and drink in Culburra Beach
Culburra Beach has enough food options for a weekend, even if the scene is smaller than other South Coast destinations like Huskisson or Kiama. Book ahead where you can, especially for dinner on weekends.
Planning note: a few options (like Loco Lane and The Common) are closed early in the week. If you are looking to try a few of the places below then you’ll need to visit later in the week, or on the weekend.
- Fresh oysters and prawns by the water: Jim Wild’s Oysters (Greenwell Point)
- Pub classics, pizza and a big renovated space: Culburra Beach Bowling Club
- Wood-fired pizza night: Terra & Mare Pizzeria
- All-day breakfast and lunch: Fishwicks Cafe
- Coffee and brunch: Benny’s Cafe
- Mexican cantina and cocktails: Loco Lane
- Casual all-day eats: Burra Beach Eats
- Craft beer, tapas and a dog-friendly courtyard: The Common South Coast
Culburra Beach Bowling Club
The Culburra Beach Bowling Club is one of the main anchors in town, recently renovated and considerably bigger than you’d expect for a small beach town. It’s an easy spot for a drink, a game of bowls and a meal, with a bistro covering the usual pub favourites.
Terra & Mare Pizzeria
Terra & Mare Pizzeria is a casual wood-fired pizza spot on Prince Edward Avenue, good for takeaway or a relaxed dinner. The crinkle-cut fries, drenched in chicken salt, are a local favourite.
Where to stay in Culburra Beach
Culburra Beach doesn’t have a standout boutique hotel the way some other South Coast towns do. Holiday houses and rentals are the norm here, so if you want that kind of stay, both Booking.com and Stayz have a good spread of options. Although Culburra Beach is small, it is quite spread out, so it’s worth checking exactly where in the area your holiday house is if you want to be near cafes and restaurants.
Culburra Beach Motel
Culburra Beach Motel is a basic, no-frills option, but it’s central and an easy walk to the cafes and shops on Prince Edward Avenue. It’s one of the few dedicated motel-style stays in town, which makes it a straightforward pick if you’d rather not manage a holiday rental for a short stay.
Personal note: While this is basic, it’s neat and well located, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It’s walking distance from the cafes and shops. Try to arrive before dark though, as it’s quite hard to find at night with no lighting.
Holiday houses and rentals
If you’re travelling with family or friends, a holiday house is likely to be the better fit in Culburra Beach. This is where you’ll find the space, the beach proximity and the self-contained kitchens that suit a longer stay. Check both Booking.com and Stayz, as they list different properties.
Best time to visit Culburra Beach
- Spring: Good for walks and mild weather before the summer crowds arrive.
- Summer: Peak season for swimming and both beaches are patrolled, but expect it to be busiest.
- Autumn: A quieter all-rounder, with good walking weather and fewer crowds.
- Winter: Quiet and low-key, with whale watching from Penguin Head Lookout between May and November.
Suggested Culburra Beach itinerary
2-night itinerary
Day 1: Drive in and settle in
On the way in, detour to Jim Wild’s Oysters at Greenwell Point for fresh oysters and prawns. Check into your accommodation, then walk the Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse track for river and ocean views before dinner at the bowling club.
Day 2: Beach, lake and pizza
Start with breakfast at Fishwicks or Benny’s Cafe, then head to the beach for a swim, followed by the Sheepwash Creek walking track around Lake Wollumboola. In the afternoon, head to Tilbury Cove and Penguin Head Lookout for a walk or swim. Finish with dinner at Terra & Mare, The Common or Loco Lane.
What Culburra Beach isn’t
Culburra Beach is not a restaurant or shopping destination, and if you come expecting the dining scene of Kiama or Huskisson, it will feel thin. It’s also not a boutique-stay town: the accommodation is mainly holiday homes.
You’ll also need a car. The best oyster stop is a short drive away at Greenwell Point, and while the village itself is walkable, most of the walks and lookouts are not within easy walking distance of each other.
How to get to Culburra Beach
Culburra Beach is around 2 hours and 45 minutes from Sydney by car, or about 3 hours from Canberra. The direct route is straightforward, but if you have time, the Grand Pacific Drive adds a scenic detour through the Royal National Park, over the Sea Cliff Bridge and past Bald Hill Lookout at Stanwell Tops, with sweeping views down the South Coast. It adds a little time to the trip, but it’s a nice way to ease into a South Coast weekend.
Public transport is not a practical way to get around once you’re here. You’ll want a car for Greenwell Point, the walking tracks and getting between the beaches.
What else is near Culburra Beach?
Berry
Berry is around 40 minutes inland from Culburra Beach and makes an easy add-on if you want more shopping, cafes and a polished village feel. See our Berry travel guide if you want to turn the trip into a beach-and-village weekend.
Huskisson
Huskisson is around 35 minutes away and gives you Jervis Bay’s white sand and dolphin cruises if you want to extend the trip. See our Huskisson travel guide for where to explore, stay and eat.
Local travel tips
- Book dinner ahead on weekends, as several venues are small and get busy.
- If you’re staying at the motel, arrive before dark. Street lighting is limited and it can be hard to find at night.
- Bring a car. Greenwell Point and Pyree are around 15 minutes away and not walkable.
- Check the surf lifesaving patrol flags and times before swimming outside summer.
- Combine your stay with Berry or Huskisson for a longer South Coast weekend, or continue down the coast to Narooma or Bermagui.
FAQs
Is Culburra Beach good for families?
Yes. The Sheepwash Creek walking track is flat and easy, both beaches suit families when patrolled, and the Culburra Beach Bowlo is a great option for a family dinner. Take care around the Crookhaven Heads walk after rain, as it can get muddy and slippery.
Is Culburra Beach good for couples?
Yes, if you want a quiet, low-key beach weekend rather than a big dining scene. Pair a walk or two with dinner at Loco Lane, The Common or Terra & Mare, and add a day trip to Jim Wild’s Oysters for something a little different.
Is Culburra Beach walkable?
The village itself is walkable, and Tilbury Cove and Penguin Head Lookout are around a 30-minute walk from the main street. For Greenwell Point, Warrain Beach and most of the other walks, you’ll need a car.
How far is Culburra Beach from Sydney?
Culburra Beach is around 2 hours and 45 minutes from Sydney, or a little longer if you take the scenic Grand Pacific Drive via the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Should we visit Culburra Beach or Huskisson?
Choose Culburra Beach for a quieter, more low-key stay with fewer crowds and a real local feel. Choose Huskisson for Jervis Bay’s white sand beaches, dolphin cruises and a bigger dining scene. If you have the time, they combine well.
Who is Culburra Beach best for?
Culburra Beach is best for travellers who want a low-key, relaxed South Coast beach weekend: couples and families happy to trade a big dining scene for two quiet beaches, a peaceful lake walk and some of the freshest oysters on this stretch of coast.
