18 great bike rides in the Narooma - Tilba - Bermagui area of the New South Wales Far South Coast

Ride 15

Lake Wapengo and Picnic Point, Mimosa Rocks National Park

Distance 55 kms, moderate grade in sections, a few long hills

Start: Bermagui

This ride continues on from the turnoff for the previous ride Ride 14. We have treated this as a separate ride because it is unlikely that cyclists will have time to accomplish both rides in one day, and see all there is to see at both destinations.

From Bermagui

Starting from Bermagui, head along the Bermagui–Tathra Road (this road may be marked as Biamanga Way on some maps), as described for Ride 14.

Continue for 20 kilometres south of Bermagui and past the Araganu Beach turnoff.

From the Aragunnu Beach turnoff, the road continues for a short distance before reaching the long decent. Keep this in mind when you are returning, because it really does seem like the hill without end. In total, you will have about seven kilometres of hills once you return to the Tathra Road—your reward for enjoying the magnificent scenery of Picnic Point, perhaps?

To Picnic Point

There is a colourful sign—Wapengo Locality—and the road you want is a short distance past that sign. The sign to Lake Wapengo Road is on your right, but the road is on your left. It is easy to miss it if you are enjoying the downhill riding too much, but if you reach the bottom of the hill, turn back for about a hundred metres.

Lake Wapengo

The road to Picnic Point—your destination on this ride—is dirt for about five kilometres. It passes the small settlement of Lake Wapengo, which is a cluster of houses owned by local oyster farmers. On your right will be Lake Wapengo, a shallow lake with numerous oyster farms. It is difficult to reach the water’s edge along this side.

There’s a gate with the name ‘Ness’ on it. Although you will now be going through private property, it is the legal access to that portion of the Mimosa Rocks National Park. Make sure you leave the gate as you find it. The cattle should present no problem. Just make sure they keep out of your way, and that you keep out of their way.

The vegetation suddenly changes, with a predominance of banksias. You will know you don’t have far to ride now. The road divides—actually, it is a circuit through the camping area of that part of the national park.

Picnic Point

There are delightful bush camping sites set amongst the trees, many overlooking the beaches. There is one area marked ‘parking area for picnic area’. That’s the place you want. There are a couple of picnic tables, and a single seat in the most idyllic position beside the path leading to the rock platform and overlooking the beach and the headlands to the north.

Birdlife abounds

Once you can tear yourself away from the seat, spend some time looking around the area. The bush near the picnic area contains numerous birds, including New Holland honeyeaters, the Lewin honeyeater, and eastern whipbirds. You might be lucky enough to see a white breasted sea eagle soaring overhead.

There will often be wallabies grazing near the campsites. They are not afraid of humans, but please don’t disturb them.

Interesting rock formations

The rocks near the picnic area are interesting, with their sometimes unique formations and layering.

Just a few metres south of the picnic area, there is a path to the next beach. At the end of that beach there is a sea cave that can be entered at low tide.

Return to Bermagui

Allow plenty of time to prepare yourself mentally for the long climb back. The dirt road back to the Tathra Road is straight forward, but the time taken to cycle from Picnic Point to Bermagui is usually about two and a half hours.

The total climbing extends for about seven kilometres, but most people who make it this far appreciate the rewards, rather than curse the hill. For the return ride to Bermagui, retrace your route.

Map for Ride 15.