From geological wonders that tell the story of creation to sacred Indigenous sites of cultural and spiritual significance, the Tilba District’s rich history and natural beauty are ready to be discovered. Whether you’re seeking adventure through hiking, fishing, snorkelling, or surfing, the Tilba District of New South Wales offers something for everyone to enjoy. Learn about historic Yuin sites, hike through stunning National Parks, or relax at serene beaches and lakes with your family and friends.

Icon Key:
Geology  Beaches and Lakes National Parks
Aboriginal Historic PlacesOutdoor Experiences

Geology

The Tilba District is home to incredible geological formations that have shaped the landscape over millennia. Geological evidence shows volcanic eruptions, starting around 95 million years ago. While exploring the Tilba District you’ll notice Tors (large, free-standing rock outcrops rising from the slopes) scattered across the landscape, each telling a story that speaks of creation, the Great Spirits and heaven and earth. 

Take a trip to Mystery Bay with its dramatic chert, black mudstone, and slate formations dating back nearly 500 million years to the Ordovician period.

Beautiful monzonite rock from the Central Tilba quarry was used as far afield as Sydney’s Rookwood cemetery and in the war memorial on the corner of Bate Street, Central Tilba.

Download Geology History Flyer

Points of Interest:

• Mystery Bay Kink Zone
• The Tors
• The Quarry (Historic)

Aboriginal Historic Places

Connected to Yuin creation legend, Tilba District is home to various places that are of great spiritual and cultural significance to the people of Yuin Country, including places like Gulaga, Najanuga, and Barunguba. 

Gulaga, known as Mother Mountain to the Yuin people, is an important women’s place tied to ceremony, childbirth, and storytelling. Visitors can explore the challenging 14km Gulaga Mountain Walk or the more scenic 2km Bellbrook Farm Loop Walk.

Barranguba (Montague Island), was an important food gathering and social connection place, home to spiritual beings who shaped the land and established the laws of Yuin Country. Exploring the island offers panoramic coastal views, wildlife encounters and the historic lighthouse built in 1881.  The Corkhill Collection has many historic photographs of the Island.

Points of Interest:

• Little Dromedary – Najanuga
• Montague Island – Barranguba
• Bellbrook Farm Loop Walk
• Gulaga Mountain Walk
• Tilba Tilba Oval

National Parks

The Tilba District is surrounded by nature, mountains, land and sea. Discover the spiritual significance of Gulaga National Park with a 14km hike on the Gulaga Mountain Walk, a steep (graded hard) track up the mountain that was built in 1894 for gold miners. Take the gravel path (walking only) between the café and car park in Tilba Tilba and continue up the mountain. 

Don’t miss exploring Eurobodalla National Park where you can surf at 1080 Beach and spot kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies and birds. Enjoy stunning coastal views from lookouts, including the humpback whale migrations or kayak and waterski on the park’s lakes.

Batemans Marine Park offers rocky reefs, nesting sites for thousands of little penguins, and adventures like dolphin and whale watching, snorkelling, and scuba diving.

Points of Interest:

• Gulaga National Park
• Eurobodalla National Park 
• Batemans Marine Park

Beaches and Lakes

Relax on the sandy beaches and scenic lakes across the Tilba District. Enjoy a picnic or go kayaking and waterskiing at Corunna Lake in Eurobodalla National Park, or swim with the whole family at the quiet Billy’s Beach, just south of Corunna Point.

Head to Mystery Bay Beach, offering pristine waters, rock pools, and caves, perfect for swimming, diving, and fishing.

Mystery Bay’s name recalls the 1880 disappearance of five men whose boat was found holed off the rocks at nearby Corunna. The case remains unsolved, and several Mystery Bay streets are named for those lost or involved in the mystery. 

Take a scenic drive down Sherringham Lane, winding through farmlands just south of Tilba Tilba Lake, to reach the Tilba District Cemetery. You’ll find a secluded, dog-friendly beach with views of the expansive coastline.

Download An Unsolved Mystery Flyer

Points of Interest:

• Corunna Lake and Corunna Lake  Mouth
• Billys Beach
• Mystery Bay Beach
• Pooles Beach
• 1080 Beach
• Tilba District Cemetery (Beach lookout)
• Little Lake
• Wallaga Lake 

STAY SAFE:

There are no patrolled beaches in the Tilba District, the nearest patrolled beach is Narooma Surf Beach. To locate patrolled beaches and get updates on hazards and conditions at Eurobodalla beaches contact one of the local surf life saving clubs or visit the Beachsafe website.

Outdoor Experiences

The Tilba District and its surroundings are an outdoor lover’s dream, offering surfing, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, and bushwalking adventures for everyone to enjoy. 

Take the scenic loop trail from Mystery Bay through the campground to the historic Velodrome, passing vantage points with breathtaking views of the emerald-green ocean, Barunguba Montague Island, and Mystery Bay. Along the way, you’ll spot native wildlife roaming the National Park.

The Corunna Lake boat ramp is perfect for a relaxing day of fishing, waterskiing, or kayaking. For surfing, head to the popular local 1080 Beach near Mystery Bay. Along the way, you might spot wallabies and kangaroos, and it’s also a great spot for birdwatching.

Download Sport and Social Life History Flyer

Points of Interest:

• Birdwatching- National Parks, Punkalla Creek Bridge, Mystery Bay Walking track adjacent to Mystery Bay Road, Wallaga Lake, Corunna Lake
• Fishing/prawning – Wallaga Lake, Corunna Lake plus beach fishing at Mystery Bay and Cemetery Beach
• Kayaking – Corunna Lake, Wallaga Lake
• Bike Riding – Wine, History and Mystery Tour and History and beyond Tilba
• Boating – Corunna Lake, Wallaga Lake
• Water Skiing – Corunna Lake only
• Snorkelling – Mystery Bay
• Diving – Baranguba
• Historic Velodrome