Illawong Nature Reserve | Eurobodalla Coast, NSW
Why Book a Guided Walk?
Staying at The Bower puts you within minutes of some of the South Coast’s most biodiverse landscapes. A local guide adds the storytelling, wildlife-spotting skills and cultural context that turn a pleasant stroll into a memory-maker—and they handle the logistics so all you carry is a water bottle and curiosity.
Practicalities
- Duration: 1½–5 hours at an easy pace
- Distance: 2.2 km loop on mostly level ground
- What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, hat, water bottle and curiosity – we’ll supply the binoculars
- Meeting point: Illawong Nature Reserve main car park (maps provided in your Bower)
Wetland & Woodland Wander at Illawong
| Tour | Distance from The Bower | Duration | Highlights | How to Book |
| Wetland & Woodland Wander (Illawong Nature Reserve) | On-site | 1.5–2 hrs, 2.2 km loop | Two ecosystems, 11 m-girth gum, bird boxes, forest bathing pauses | Reserve when you book your stay (limited groups daily) |
| Guided Walk – Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden | 15 min drive | 60–90 min | Aboriginal plant uses, sensory gardens, volunteer guides | Free tour first Sunday 11 am; call Visitor Centre to secure spot |
| Broulee Island Coastal Adventure (NPWS | 5 min drive | 2-3 hrs | Sand-spit island, rock pools, settlers gravesite | Self-guided tour available on request |
| Montague Island Walking Tour | 45 min to Narooma + 20 min boat | 4–5 hrs | Lighthouse, 90+ bird species fur-seal colony | Daily departures with Montague Island Adventures |
Illawong Nature Reserve
Slip straight from your private deck onto a 2.2 km loop where ancient riverbed meets clay-stone ridge. Your guide punctuates the walk with “NatureFix” breathing stops, fungi finds and stories of yellow-bellied gliders. Mid-way, stand beneath NSW’s second-largest gum—a living cathedral 11m in girth —and feel the forest lower your pulse. Binoculars supplied; closed-toe shoes recommended.
Reconnect at The Bower
When you return, your private Bower awaits: a king bed turned down, double spa ready to fill, and the forest soundtrack drifting through open doors. It’s exactly why we, Sue & Mark, built this sanctuary over 30 years ago – so couples could come to their senses in the elegance of the bush.
The 2019 fires tested our resolve, yet the land has regenerated in breathtaking ways. Each Bower has been lovingly restored with even more comfort – think wood-fireplaces, heated floors and skylights for stargazing from your king bed or the deep double spa bath. Every stay supports our ongoing bush-care projects and local wildlife monitoring, including the very nesting boxes you’ll see on the Wander.
Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden (ERBG) Guided Walk
On the first Sunday of every month, trained volunteers lead a gentle ramble through 42 ha of recovering spotted-gum forest. Taste bush-tucker leaves, trace scar-trees on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk and learn how the Garden bounced back after the 2019-20 fires. Free but popular—arrive by 10:45 am to claim a spot. Click for More info
Broulee Island Coastal Adventure
A narrow sand-spit delivers you to a protected island ringed with granite platforms and turquoise pools. NPWS rangers can reveal rock-shelf critters, migrating whales and the cultural significance of Broulee to Yuin people. Ideal for couples and photographers craving golden-hour light on rusty cliffs
Montague Island Lighthouse & Wildlife Tour
Board a fast catamaran in Narooma for a 20-minute crossing to Barunguba / Montague Island. NPWS guides walk you past the 1881 lighthouse, little-penguin burrows and 90-plus seabird species before seal-spotting from cliffs. Tours run morning, afternoon and at sunset (September–February penguin focus). Bring layers—the offshore breeze is brisk even in summer.
Book Your Escape | +61 4 0483 9690
Stay at The Bower and join guided walking tours at Illawong Reserve, Broulee Island & more. Spot wildlife, giant gums and coastal views—book now.
Written from The Bower at Broulee, South Coast NSW – where luxury meets serenity and nature writes the love stories.