National park · Australia
Seven Mile Beach National Park
Go for a half day, not a full one: park at Beach Road, walk the beach or the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) loop through the forest, swim if the surf is small, and pay nothing — there is no entry fee, only a vehicle charge if you park in a paid section.Go for a half day, not a full one: park at Beach Road, walk the beach or the 2.8 mi (4.5 km) loop through the forest, swim if the surf is small, and pay nothing — there is no entry fee, only a vehicle charge if you park in a paid section.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (9 km²)
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 9 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (9 km²)
- A thin coastal strip; the mapped reserve is under 10 km² (check).
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- Not needed
Seven Mile Beach National Park is a narrow strip of sand, dune and coastal forest on the Shoalhaven coast of New South Wales, between Gerroa and the Shoalhaven River mouth. It protects one of the longest unbroken beaches on the state's south coast, backed by littoral rainforest and paperbark swamp. There is no visitor centre, no shop and no camping inside the park; the nearest beds and food are in Gerroa, Berry and Nowra. It is a stop on a Shoalhaven driving day, not a destination in itself.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1971.
Size and age
9 km² (3 sq mi)3 sq mi (9 km²) · national park since 1971
A thin coastal strip; the mapped reserve is under 10 km² (check).
Why go
- A beach you can walk for hours without buildings behind it.
- The forest loop behind the dunes is a genuine short walk, not just a path to the sand.
- Free to enter; the only cost is parking where charges apply.
- Easy to combine with Gerroa, Berry and the Shoalhaven coast in one day.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanWarm; busy school holidays, patrols on some sections
- FebWarm sea, smaller crowds
- MarMild, clear, quiet weekdays
- AprDry and comfortable for walking
- MayCooler; surf often bigger
- JunCold water, short days
- JulColdest; whale season offshore
- AugCold, windy, quiet
- SepWarming; whales still passing
- OctMild and dry; good walking
- NovWarm, before the holiday rush
- DecHot and crowded from mid-month
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whales offshoreJun–Nov · Northbound in winter, southbound with calves in spring. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Shorebirds on the sandAll year · Keep distance and keep dogs away; some species are protected. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal birds in the forestMar–May, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Mosquitoes in the swamp sectionsDec–Mar · Repellent is worth carrying after rain. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sydney
A1 Princes Motorway south, exit at Belinda Street, then Fern Street and signage to the park.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Nowra
Bolong Road east, then follow park signage to Beach Road.
30–40 min
From Gerroa
Crooked River Road to the unsealed Gerroa Beach access road.
10 min
From Shoalhaven plan
Where this beach fits in a coast day with Berry and Gerroa.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Road section | Main access, car park, the forest loop and the widest beach. | Open; walk in from the car park. |
| Gerroa Beach section | Southern access on an unsealed road, quieter sand. | Open; unsealed road, check conditions after rain. |
| Dune and littoral forest | The strip of rainforest and swamp behind the beach. | Stay on formed tracks. |
| Surf and shore break | Open ocean beach with rips and no permanent patrolled flags. | Open; swim between the flags only where patrols operate (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Beach Road car park · Gate≈-34.806, 150.763Approximate.Map ↗
- 2Forest loop track · Trail≈-34.808, 150.758Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Gerroa Beach access · Gate≈-34.825, 150.769Approximate; unsealed road.Map ↗
- 4Gerroa · Town≈-34.771, 150.812Map ↗
- 5Berry · Town≈-34.775, 150.694Map ↗
- 6Nowra · Town≈-34.874, 150.601Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the beach strip, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee for NSW national parks; you pay only for parking where a meter or app applies (check). |
| Vehicle parking at Beach Road | AUD 0–10 (≈ US$0–7) | vehicle per day | 2026 estimate; some Shoalhaven coastal car parks charge by app, others are free (check). |
| Camping | Free | night | No camping in this park. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Parking no permit
Dogs no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Not allowed anywhere in the national park, including the beach.
- Fires and barbecues
- No fires on the beach or in the forest; use facilities outside the park.
- Camping
- Not permitted; there is no campground in the park.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from NSW National Parks (check).check
- Shells, plants and rocks
- Leave them; everything in the park is protected.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gerroa
Closest beds to the southern access; holiday houses and a small motel.
Near the park
Berry
Inland town with guesthouses and cafes, 15–20 min away.
Near the park
Nowra
Largest choice of motels and services, 30–40 min away.
Safety
Rips and unpatrolled surf high
Sun and heat medium
Unsealed Gerroa access road low
No phone signal in places low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Beach Road car park and the start of the forest loop are flat and firm.
- The beach itself is soft sand; beach wheelchairs are not provided here (check).
- The Gerroa access road is unsealed and may be rough for low vehicles.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on formed tracks through the dune forest; the vegetation is easily damaged.
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins in the park.
- Give shorebirds and nesting areas a wide berth, especially in spring and summer.
- Park in the marked area rather than on the dune edge.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Seven Mile Beach National Park?
Nothing. NSW national parks do not charge an entry fee, so walking in from Beach Road or the Gerroa access road is free. You may pay a few dollars for parking where a meter or app applies; some car parks along this coast are free (check).
What are the best hikes in Seven Mile Beach National Park?
There are two: the flat forest loop behind the dunes at the Beach Road section, roughly 4.5 km and about an hour, and the beach itself, which you can walk for as long as you like in either direction. Neither is steep or technical.
When is the best time to visit Seven Mile Beach National Park?
February to April and October to November: warm enough to swim, dry for walking and quieter than the December–January school holidays. Winter is cold for swimming but good for whale watching from the sand.
Can you swim at Seven Mile Beach?
Yes, but it is an open ocean beach with rips. Swim only where red-and-yellow flags are up and patrols are operating; most of the beach has no lifeguards.
Can you camp or bring a dog?
No to both. There is no campground in the park and dogs are not allowed anywhere inside it, including the beach. Camp at a commercial park in Gerroa or Berry instead.
Is there anywhere to eat or stay in the park?
No. There are no shops, no accommodation and no bins. Bring water and food, and base yourself in Gerroa, Berry or Nowra.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go