Paddling in Bimberamala National Park

Bimberamala National Park sits in steep, densely forested country on the NSW South Coast, draining into the Clyde River system that eventually reaches Batemans Bay. The water here is river water — confined, valley-bound, and shaped by terrain that drops hard.

The Bimberamala River is the park's defining waterway. It moves through a deeply incised valley and pools into a series of waterholes rather than running as a continuous navigable channel.

That character — broken, rocky, remote — sets the tone for what paddling here actually means. This is not touring water.

Getting to the river requires a 4WD approach, and the park has no facilities of any kind: no launches, no camping infrastructure, no services. Anyone planning a trip should contact the NPWS Ulladulla office directly before going.

The park falls under NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service management; check with them on any access or activity conditions that apply. The park's contribution to the Clyde system matters beyond the paddling.

What happens in this watershed — sediment, water quality, riparian health — flows downstream to Batemans Bay. That context is worth carrying in with you.