Australian Hiker

Nearest Town

Depot Beach

Best Time of the Year to Travel

Year round

Starting Location

Trail head car park

Finish Location

Trail head off Lake Road

Durras Lake Discovery Trail Review

The Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast is one of my favourite Australian national parks and one that definitely punches above its weight. We are slowly working our way through the walks in the Murramarang National Park and have not had a disappointing walk to date. The Durras Discovery Trail is no different and even for a short walk under 2 km, this has become one of my favourite walks of all time.

Once you turn off the highway you head along the Mount Agony Road and take the turnoff to Depot Beach on the North Durras Road and then follow the signposted road to the trail head for this walk on Lake Road. Lake Road is a dirt road that wasn’t in the best condition. While I have been on many dirt roads that are worse, I wouldn’t want to take a low slung car onto this road as you may bottom out on some of the potholes if you aren’t careful. Once you reach the car park you are directed around a small one way loop with the parking on the uphill side.

The trail head is well marked and you actually head along a short track before you come to the start of the two walks located in this area, the Durras Discovery Trail and the longer Durras Lake Walking Track. Within about 75 meters of starting this track you come across an area of palm tress that just make you feel like you are in the tropics and if I’m honest, apart from the cold weather on the day, I think it was better. After crossing a short bridge you are presented with two options and on this day we chose to do the Durras Discovery Trail.

This trail is well signposted and for a relatively short distance felt much longer starting with a gradual incline before heading up a hill to loop back around to the start. In the middle of the trail there is a relatively deep valley that surprised me as it just seemed to come out of nowhere.

The trail itself is mainly in shadow created by the deep forest with sections of interspersed sunlight. As an old logging area there are bits of logging infrastructure along the trail which has explanatory signage outlining its use.

We didn’t see much wildlife on this trail but did come across a male lyrebird shortly after starting this walk. I didn’t manage to get a photo as he was moving so quickly but we did manage to observe him as he raced across the trail into the surrounding bushland. The keen bird watcher would love the myriad of bird calls.

This is a great little trail and one I can’t recommend highly enough if you happen to be in the area. It has become one of my favourite walks over the past 12 months and one of my all-time favourites.

Please note that there is a lookout platform on this trail but due to structural instability it is closed to access for safety reasons. 

Seating at the trail head

Trail start

Pick a trail

Trail gate at the start of the trail designed to make you think about starting the walk

Termite mound

There is a big area of palm trees not long after you start this walk. If it wasn’t so cold when we started this walk we would have thought we were in the tropics

The vegetation on this trail is spectacular

Bridge on trail. Just after you cross the bridge you need pick which trail you are doing

Directions for the two trails

I love the patterns on eucalyptus bark

The vegetation on this trail is really spectacular

Seating at the high point on the trail

Tall tree on the trail

Two big remnant trees on the trail

Information signage on trail

Old logging cart remains

Trail example

Big downed tree

Trail exit gate

Back to the car park

Getting There

The trail head is just over 17 km from the base of the Clyde Mountain heading north

Durras Discovery Trail and Lake Trail starting points

Highway turn off to Depot Beach

Turnoff to Depot Beach

Pay parking or access to this area

Turn off to the trail head

Road ruts. Be careful if driving a low slung car

Trail head car park

Things to Know

• There is an access fee for the national park so bring coins for the meter
• There are no toilets on the track. The closest are in the campground in Depot Beach
• You should bring your own water
• This trail is walkable year round
• The mobile phone coverage is good on this trail
• Dress to avoid ticks particularly during the warmer months of the year

Disclaimer

This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker

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