Tathra: Wharf heritage and coastal walks

Tathra combines a long sandy beach, bays and waterfront walks with a distinctive maritime heritage. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tathra, you can get a feel for the town by deciding which of these aspects interests you most: time at the beach, activities on and in the water, walks or the history of Tathra Wharf. The different route lengths and themes can help you shape your stay around your own plans.

Beach and water around Tathra

Tathra Beach is a 3 km sandy beach in the centre of Tathra. It’s suitable for surfing, boardriding and sailboarding. Its length gives you an idea of the beach’s extent; the activities mentioned show that this stretch of coast is not just for swimming. If you’re interested in water sports, you’ll find a different focus here than at the town’s sheltered waters.

Mogareeka Inlet is an area for swimming, kayaking and fishing. It provides access to the mouth of the Bega River. This makes the inlet different from the open beach: it brings together a range of activities on one body of water with the river mouth. The 2.5 km Mogareeka Cycle and Walkway is a shared cycling and walking path between the southern end of Tathra Beach and Mogareeka Inlet. You can also think of the connection between these two waterfront areas as a route in its own right.

Kianinny Bay adds another option: a sheltered bay in Tathra. It has a boat ramp and facilities for cleaning fish. While the beach and inlet offer different ways to enjoy the water through the activities mentioned, the bay is also defined by these specific facilities.

Wharf history and headland walks

Tathra Wharf is the only surviving 19th-century coastal wharf on Australia’s east coast. Tathra Wharf Museum preserves artefacts, photographs and exhibits about the history of the wharf and the wider Tathra district. For travellers interested in the maritime past, the structure and collection go together: the wharf is at the heart of the story, while the museum preserves a range of objects and images about it and the district.

A 300 m wheelchair-accessible walkway connects Tathra Headland with Tathra Wharf. The 1.8 km Tathra Coastline Walk runs from the headland to Chamberlain Lookout and opened in September 2026. The two routes differ in both length and destination. The walkway connects the headland and wharf; the Coastline Walk leads to the lookout. So if you’re choosing a walk, you can start by considering which destination better suits your plans for the day.

The Tathra Coastline Walk is described as an easy walking track. In spring, Chamberlain Lookout is a good spot for whale watching. This connects the route with a seasonal nature experience: the lookout is a suitable destination in spring if you’re interested in whale watching. This seasonal detail makes the time of year a useful point to consider when planning the outing.

More routes and nature experiences

The Kangarutha walking track starts from Tathra at the Kianinny Bay boat ramp, after crossing the footbridge. Check the latest park alerts before setting out. Another route, the 3 km Fords Walking Track, is a shared walking and cycling path. It’s accessed via the Mogareeka Cycle and Walkway and Mogareeka Bridge, and passes through Mimosa Rocks National Park. If you’re planning a 3 km route on foot or by bike, the Fords Walking Track takes you through Mimosa Rocks National Park.

Tathra also has something specifically for mountain bikers: the area includes more than 55 km and over 40 single-track trails. The main trailhead is at Tathra Beach Country Club. Two trails of different lengths run through Tathra Forest Wildlife Reserve: an 800 m loop and a 2 km bushwalking track. The 800 m loop is shorter than the 2 km bushwalking track.

There are several specific themes to choose from: the beach and water sports, bays, Wharf history or walks with different destinations and lengths. The 300 m wheelchair-accessible walkway to the wharf, the 1.8 km route to Chamberlain Lookout and the longer routes each offer different options for planning your day. If you’re looking for hotels in Tathra, it can help to first decide which of these aspects of the town you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Pambula, Mirador, Cobargo, Merimbula, Barragga Bay, Bega, Tanja, Brogo.

For the broader travel overview: Bega Valley Shire Council.