Gosangs Tunnel Walk & Mermaids Inlet: Can You Still Visit?

The Gosangs Tunnel Walk and Mermaids Inlet is one of the premier attractions on the Beecroft Peninsula in Currarong. An easy 5km trail through beautiful bushland leads to a narrow squeeze between the rock face to reach one of the most fantastic tunnel lookouts in NSW. But, as of June 2022, the walk to Gosangs Tunnel and access to Mermaids Inlet has been temporarily closed. Whilst assessment of the surrounding geology takes place, it’s not permitted to visit.

But, as there’s been very little update since the closure about when these attractions will reopen, nor any update on what assessments have taken place, the question remains, will you still go?

Read Jervis Bay Walks: 13 Easy Hikes Not To Miss

About Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet

Gosangs Tunnel is just that, an incredible tunnel that involves a fair bit of crouching or crawling to get through, reaching incredible views out across the South Pacific Ocean. The cave opening on the other side creates an extensive window view out to sea. Accessing Gosangs Tunnel is straightforward, if just a little cumbersome.

Next to the incredible cave at Gosangs Tunnel is Mermaids Inlet. Here, you’ll find stacks of multi-layered rock shelves rising from the ocean. The inlet forms a narrow channel from where you can admire the interesting geology. The slabs of rock that are piled within Mermaids Inlet resemble a tumbled stack of sweet pastries, like little petit fours (at least they did to me!) The formation of the rocks is truly incredible. The sapphire blue water crashing up against them is also mesmerising.

As you look along the coast, in either direction, you’ll see the same pastry-layered rock as far as the eye can see. Understandably, the area is a very popular spot for rock fishing.

Where Are Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet?

Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet can be found on the northeast point of Beecroft Peninsula next to the town of Currarong. Both attractions fall within the lovely Abrahams Bosom Reserve and are quiet yet popular attractions close to Jervis Bay.

Feel free to click on the interactive map below to help plan your journey.

Gosangs Tunnel Closure: Is Gosangs Tunnel Open?

As of June 2022, the NSW Government’s Crown Lands prohibited access to Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet, albeit temporarily. If you check their website, you’ll see the reason is to assess its long-term future. This includes geotechnical assessments concerning overhanging rock and cracks in fault lines.

Although, it’s important to point out that no accidents, deaths, or incidents have ever been reported at Gosangs Tunnel or Mermaids Inlet. Still, after a bout of heavy rain, it was reported from visual inspection that the area’s future needed some consideration. What’s ensued is the closure of a remarkable natural attraction for the foreseeable. We can only hope that this won’t remain the case, as the tunnel and surrounding cliffs are quite beautiful.

But, with the temporary closure not yet permanent, limited updates and an increasing amount of visitors choosing to visit Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet regardless, will you be one of them?

To Visit Gosangs Tunnel, Currarong Or Not?

Dan and I were lucky enough to visit Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet in 2020, well before the temporary closure of the site was introduced. But, would we still visit today, knowing the closure is only temporary and there are signs and advice stating that access is prohibited? Well, truth be told, no we wouldn’t.

I know, I know, call us goodie two shoes, but, after all, we have to practice what we preach when it comes to respecting the rules of places we visit. For the sake of being responsible travellers and bloggers, we would not visit Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet. Of course, you might point out that we’ve already been, so no FOMO for us. But, we’ve been to plenty of places where we have been unable to visit an attraction, even though you see some people still accessing the prohibited trails. Frustrating, we know.

Indeed, throughout NSW alone there are plenty of prohibited trails that are still widely walked. They include accessing the base of both Gerringong Falls and Belmore Falls, as well as hiking to the well-known Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout. Now, we’re not here to judge whether you do these things or not, just merely point out out that these trails are still hiked, albeit by a minority I’m sure.

How to Get to Gosangs Tunnel Via the Coomies Walk

The good news is, that all is not lost if you decide not to access Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet. Let’s hope it reopens soon because it really is a wonderful attraction. But for now, you can be pretty content with knowing walking around this part of Beecroft Peninsula is more than just Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet.

That’s because the Coomies Walk, which Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet are accessed from, takes in some other rather lovely natural attractions. They include Lobster Bay, Wilsons Beach and Shell Beach for the S.S. Merimbula shipwreck.

Below, we’ll outline the Coomies Loop Walk from Abrahams Bosom Reserve, which passes Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet along the way. Below are the trail specs for the walk, including a GPS link to a Gosangs Tunnel map

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 5km
• Time: 2 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 60m
• Trailhead: Abrahams Bosom Reserve
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Map: AllTrails

Gosangs Tunnel Walk

The hike begins from Abrahams Bosom Car Park, Currarong. Initially, the trail crosses a small footbridge over Abraham Bosom Creek. From here, the picturesque trail winds along an easy-to-walk footpath, through coastal forest and bushland. Follow the signs towards S.S Merimbula and the Wreck Walk trail. Once you arrive at Shell Beach, you’ll be able to explore the area where the shipwreck is located. After exploring the impressive shipwreck, the trail heads east along a coastal path to Wilsons Beach.

Wilsons Beach

Wilsons Beach is a small and picturesque bay. Accessing the beach involves a short out and back from the Wreck Walk trail, but it’s more than worth it. The waters are clear and the beach is usually void of any crowd. This really is the perfect spot for a quick swim. Returning to the trail, continue south past Honeysuckle Point until the trail joins Coomies Walk.

Lobster Bay

After joining Coomies Walk, you’ll continue south until you reach the short out and back to Lobster Bay. The beach at Lobster Bay is somewhat exposed but looks beautifully rugged and wild against the coastal bush backdrop. Again, Lobster Bay is another quiet beach where you’ll likely get to enjoy this stunning location to yourself.

After retracing your steps to the Coomies Walk track, continue south until you reach the offshoot trail to Gosangs Tunnel. Here, currently, you’ll see signs indicating the walking trail is closed and access to Gosangs Tunnel is prohibited.

Gosangs Tunnel

Once reopened, this section of the walk is an absolute must. Along this trail, as you leave the cover of trees and emerge into the open, you’ll see the cave entrance on the rock side. For a cave, it’s quite a big opening. However, once you enter inside, it quickly narrows. It’s a 30 metre crawl to reach the opening on the other side. We’ve certainly squeezed ourselves through tighter cave openings. Certainly, the body contortion cave entrances of Easter Island come to mind. So really, we’d say this is easily manageable and less claustrophobic than you might imagine.

Unless you’re small or you can’t get down low, you’ll find your rucksack might scrape the ceiling in the lower sections. Also, crawling in a squat position isn’t the quickest or easiest, so just take your time. Thankfully, Gosangs Tunnel is straight and light all the way through. You have sight of the openings at each end at all times.

No wonder it’s a popular spot, the views are unbelievable. You can walk out onto the cliffside from Gosangs Tunnel and marvel at the rock geology and interesting formations along this stretch of the coastline. The short walk and cave scramble feel adventurous for such minimal effort. It’s certainly not to be missed. So, let’s hope Gosangs Tunnel and the walk is reopened one day soon.

Mermaids Inlet, Currarong

After leaving Gosangs Tunnel the same way you entered, retrace your steps back to the initial tunnel turn-off named ‘Big Beecroft’. From here, take the path to the right signed toward Mermaids Inlet. After a short walk, you’ll enter the inlet along the cliffside. Follow along the path, with the rock wall to your left. In the end, this opens up onto a huge, multi-layered rock platform.

Once you’ve explored, retrace back to Coomies Walk to return to the car park.

Summary

In truth, Dan and I were in two minds as to whether to write this walking guide once we’d heard that Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet were temporarily closed. But, it was the temporary part that made us proceed. You see, Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet are wonderful attractions that we hope will reopen one day soon.

And, when (or if) they do, we hope you’ll find this guide useful. But, there’s plenty to enjoy other than Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet whilst walking in the area, which we’ve touched on in this guide. So, we hope it still encourages you to visit the area. In short, all is not lost by their temporary closure.

Mermaids Inlet Alternative

Of course, finding an alternative to Gosangs Tunnel isn’t that straightforward, but, there is a way to experience the beauty of Mermaids Inlet and the towering stacked cliff walls that make it so famous. This type of pastry-layer cliff runs all down the coast of the Beecroft Peninsula towards Point Perpendicular at its southernmost point.

It’s possible to take this boat cruise that explores the waters and the interesting geology of the landmass. It’s certainly worth considering and comes very highly rated. To boot, you might spot some bottlenose dolphins whilst you’re out there. This really is a great alternative to experience the awesome rock geology of Beecroft Peninsula.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Once you’ve finished the Coomies Walk via Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet, there are other places around Currarong and Abrahams Bosom Reserve you may want to visit. These include Currarong Rock Pools, Abrahams Bosom Aboriginal Rock Shelter, Abrahams Bosom Beach and the Beecroft Weapons Range for Honeymoon Bay and Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.

Read more: How To Visit Honeymoon Bay In Jervis Bay, NSW

How to Get to Currarong & Beecroft Peninsula

It’s very easy to get to Currarong and the Beecroft Peninsula with your own vehicle from anywhere on the South Coast of New South Coast. Indeed, visiting from Sydney is very popular and takes just 2.5–3 hours to drive. You’ll follow the M1 south down to Nowra, before heading east onto Greenwell Point Road and then Currarong Road. Once in town, you’ll head to the far side of Currarong where you’ll find Abrahams Bosom Reserve.

If you want to break up the journey and make a longer trip itinerary out of heading down to the Jervis Bay area, then we recommend stopping at Killalea Regional Park, Kiama and Huskisson.

Read more: How To Get From Sydney To Jervis Bay

Public Transport

Although it’s technically possible to take public transport from Sydney to Currarong and the Beecroft Peninsula, we don’t recommend it. The journey is time-consuming. Plus, public transport can be limited.

But, if that’s your only option, then you’ll need to take the train from Sydney’s Wolli Creek to Kiama, before picking up the bus to Bomaderry. From Bomaderry, you can take a bus to Currarong. Then, once in Currorong, you’ll have a short walk to reach Abrahams Bosom Reserve and the Gosangs Tunnel trailhead.

Certainly, it’s best to drive.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Parking

You’ll find a decent amount of parking at Abrahams Bosom Reserve. But, when it’s really busy, the car park does overflow onto the roadside leading in. This is where Dan and I ended up parking. Alternatively, there’s more parking at Bosom Beach Car Park, back up the access road to the reserve. There are also public toilets at Bosom Beach Car Park.

Where to Stay in Currarong

You’ll find a few holiday rentals in and around Currarong. But, we think heading to neighbouring Jervis Bay and the town of Huskisson offers much more in the way of accommodation options. Below are our top picks of hotels, motels and apartments in Jervis Bay. Of course, you can check out Booking.com to see your options in Currarong too.

Other Accommodation Options in Jervis Bay

If you’re heading down to Jervis Bay and don’t want to stay in Currarong, then you might find our other accommodation guides helpful.

• A Quick Guide To Booderee National Park Camping
• Camping Jervis Bay: 7 Stunning Coastal Campsites
• Top 8 Jervis Bay Cabins For A Unique and Memorable Stay
• Jervis Bay Glamping: 5 Sites For The Perfect South Coast Trip

Explore More of Jervis Bay

Given the proximity of the Gosangs Tunnel Walk and Mermaids Inlet to Jervis Bay, many people will visit as part of their wider Jervis Bay trip. So, to help with your planning, these are some of our top picks for natural attractions and things to do around Jervis Bay.

• Hyams Beach: world famous for the whitest sand in Australia (or so says the tourism board), you haven’t been to Jervis Bay without stepping foot on Hyams Beach.
• White Sands Walk: beginning or ending at Hyams Beach, take the coastal White Sands Walk through Scribbley Gum forest, passing many a splendid beach on this Jervis Bay walk.
• Blenheim Beach: one of the beaches on the White Sands Walk is Blenheim, which we think is a great alternative to Hyams Beach.
• Greenfield Beach: a small patch of coast in Jervis Bay, this quiet beach is simply stunning.
• Chinaman Beach: neighbouring Hyams Beach, we actually think Chinaman is the best beach in Jervis Bay.
• Huskisson: Jervis Bay’s main hub has plenty to keep you occupied. From great coffee and bakeries to the marine park, dolphin cruises and a museum. Finish the day off at the brewery or with a drink at The Husky.
• Granite Falls: a little-known waterfall lies a short distance from Jervis Bay.
• Tianjara Falls: enjoy a short walk to a great lookout of this seriously impressive waterfall. Don’t miss this on your trip to Jervis Bay.

Booderee National Park

And, let’s not forget that the outstanding Booderee National Park lies at the opposite end of Jervis Bay to Beecroft Peninsula. It’s without a doubt worth a day or two of your time and we highly recommend visiting during your holiday. Check out our guides below.

• Green Patch Beach: tropical island-style beach with wonderful snorkelling and camping.
• Murrays Beach: a popular beach complete with a cave, lookout and coastal walks.
• Cave Beach: wild and rugged, this spectacular beach is home to an incredible sea cave.
• Scottish Rocks: interesting rock formations found at the end of a beautiful forest trail.
• Hole in the Wall: it’s more like a half a hole these days but it’s still a beautiful rock formation between Bristol Point and Murrays Beach.
• Steamers Beach: enjoy a 2km trail to this secluded beach. Also, while you’re at it, check out Brooks Lookout.
• Cape St. George Lighthouse: on the eastern edge of the national park are the ruins of a 19th-century lighthouse.
• Booderee Botanic Gardens: check out the local flora of Booderee.

Read more: Booderee National Park: 12 Must-See Attractions

Bonus Tips

• Dog-friendly: hoorah! You can bring your furry friend on this walk.
• Muddy trail: this walk can be quite muddy in parts if there’s been a substantial amount of rain.
• Beat the crowds: avoid weekends and school holidays to enjoy a quieter Gosangs Tunnel Walk.

Be sure to bookmark or save this post ready for your trip to see Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaids Inlet, Currarong.

We acknowledge and respect the First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land/water that we visited and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.