Culburra Beach, on the NSW South Coast, is a beautiful coastal town that offers visitors a variety of activities and experiences. Situated on the northern arc of Jervis Bay, it shares many of the same attractions of this coastal tourism icon, but without the crowds or fuss.

From relaxing on the beach to exploring the local wildlife, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – in families, groups, couples, or delightfully, deliciously solo. In this blog post, we spill the beans on some of the top things to do in Culburra Beach.

Enjoy the Beaches

Culburra Beach is renowned for its stunning beaches, with long stretches of sand and clear blue waters. Whether you’re a surfer, swimmer, or just looking to soak up some sun, there’s a patch of sand for you. Some of the popular beaches to visit are Culburra Beach, Warrain Beach, Crookhaven Heads and Tilbury Cove. Water temperatures are typically cool (18-20 degrees C) through spring and summer, warming to 20-23 degrees C in late summer through Autumn, before cooling off again through winter. Winds, swell and tides can affect water temps so it’s best to check with a local or BOM resource before diving in. 2mm wetsuits will keep you toasty during winter and spring, but are usually unnecessary in summer and autumn.

Hire a surfboard or paddleboard, pack up the snorkels and buckets and grab the SPF – it’s time to hit the sand!

Go Fishing

Culburra Beach is a fisherman’s secret paradise, with plenty of opportunities for offshore, kayak and beach fishing. The waters around Culburra Beach are home to a wide variety of fish, including snapper, kingfish, and flathead. You can try your luck by hiring a boat or lining up a charter, or simply casting a line from the shore or back of a kayak. When swell is low, we recommend morning and afternoon line fishing from a kayak or tinny off Penguin Head (Tilbury Cove) or in the Crookhaven River estuaries around Orient Point and Greenwell Point, including Curleys Bay and Comerong Island.

And don’t forget the quiet enclaves of riverside boat ramps around the town – Orient Point boat ramp and the newer Crookhaven Heads boat ramp are great spots to throw a line in.

The local bait shop sells live beach worms and a solid range of bait, but get there early if you want to score a tub of fresh wriggers!

Explore the Local Wildlife

Nearby Jervis Bay is a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts but it’s not the only place for eyeballing some of the nation’s best coastal species! Culburra Beach and adjacent Currarong form the northernmost headland of Jervis Bay, so are perfect for spotting whales on their annual migration up the coast to breed (May – June) or on their way back with new calves (September – October). 

In spring, whale humpback mothers and calves often stop in at Culburra Beach and Warrain Beach to rest and feed in the safety of its protected bays and shallows, where you can usually spot them directly off the sand. Recent years have brought several pods of humpback whale mothers and babies right into Culburra Beach and Warrain Beach, and two years ago a rare Southern Right Whale with her new calf was sheltering in the calm waters of Culburra Beach for several days.

Off the coast, the bushland near Culburra Beach is home to a range of endangered species including the Greater Glider and Glossy Black Cockatoo. And for birdwatchers, several migratory seabird species including Bar Tailed Godwits, Little Terns, and Eastern Curlews nest from January to May at Lake Wollumboola (an internationally significant freshwater lake that periodically opens to the sea, between Culburra Beach and Currarong), joining thousands of permanent bird colonies including egrets, black swans, and the recognisable sooty oystercatchers.

Learn about First Nations Culture

The Jerrinja Wandi Wandian people are an Indigenous Australian group who are the traditional custodians of the land around Orient Point. The Jerrinja Wandi Wandian people are typically considered part of the Yuin nation, which is made up of several Aboriginal groups who share similar customs, language, and beliefs, however some Jerrinja community members do not identify as Yuin because the term ‘Yuin’ is a colonial misappropriation of their traditional word for an initiated man and therefore misrepresents their people.

The Jerrinja people have a deep spiritual and cultural connection to their land and have lived in the area for thousands of years. They have a rich cultural heritage, which includes traditions such as storytelling, dance, music, and art, and is strongly linked to the mountain ‘Cullunghutti’ (also known as Coolangatta), which they can see from all parts of their traditional country.

The traditional language of the Jerrinja people is Dhurga, with some elders still fluent in conversational Dhurga and a subgroup of the dialect known as Dhurgarumba. Dhurga is a recognised indigenous Australian language and is part of the Pama-Nyungan language family, which is the largest language family of Indigenous Australian languages.

We recommend visitng the Jerrinja LALC website for more information on cultural activities and programs, as well as Mirritya Mundya for traditional bush food catering, indigenous grazing boxes and pop-up dining events. They are based in Callala Bay but can provide traditional food experiences to the surrounding areas of Culburra Beach, Currarong and Jervis Bay.

‘Wallawaani’ is a broad greeting term in Dhurga, meaning ‘hello and welcome’.

Wallawaani ninji waan. (Hello and welcome to this place.)

Go Hiking

The surrounding areas of Culburra Beach are home to some stunning hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the coastline. The Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse Walk is a popular trail that takes you through the beautiful Crookhaven Headland and offers spectacular views of the ocean, as well as overlooking Crookhaven River and Cullunghutti Mountain.

Not far away, at Currarong, you will find a series of natural bush tracks that snake around the headland, offering up delicious opportunities to swim or surf at secluded coves along the way. A longer hike will take you through an impressive rock cave known as ‘Gosangs Tunnel’, which leads to a breathtaking rock platform above the sea.

Try Some Water Sports

If you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of water sports activities to try in Culburra Beach. Beginners on kayak or SUP will have plenty of options to explore the calm waters of Curleys Bay, Crookhaven River, Tilbury Cove or Lake Wollumboola, while more experienced adventurers can tackle gnarlier routes across the lake to Coonemia Creek, around Goodnight Island, across oyster flats from Orient Point to Greenwell Point or even explore Comerong Island.

Or why not try surfing, with a group or private lesson available in multiple locations along Culburra Beach and Warrain Beach to Currarong. With some patience and the right conditions, our friendly South Coast surf instructors will almost guarantee to have you standing by the end of your stay… and having lots of good times either way.

Culburra Beach is a fantastic destination for anyone looking for a relaxing beach vacation. With a range of activities and experiences available, it’s easy to see why so many people visit this beautiful coastal town. Whether you’re looking to explore the local wildlife, go fishing, learn about local culture or simply relax on the beach, Culburra Beach has something to offer everyone.

It’s all about the Burra, mate!

Read more about us, or check out our hire equipment for your next trip to Culburra Beach…