A GREAT GUIDE TO THE FUN SCULPTURE WALK IN BATEMANS BAY, NSW

People often come to Batemans Bay on the south coast of New South Wales to enjoy its unspoiled natural beauty and reconnect with nature. There are many different walks and trails, from coastal cliff tracks with epic views, to forest trails leading you to a peaceful and secluded beach at the end, to a rainforest track, making you think you’ve ended up in Far North Queensland!

Many of these beautiful tracks my family and I have completed allowed us to discover some incredible parts of the coast. We’ve even spotted fantastic wildlife on our adventures, such as whales, stingrays, and dolphins.

However, if you’re not one for walking long distances or having small children in tow, I would highly recommend starting with the easy, but fun Sculpture Walk. The artwork was originally made for the Sculpture for Clyde festival, an annual event held in Bawley Point each year, with the winning pieces being added to the walk.

We love this fun walk which allows us to take in seven unique pieces, starting in the town center and running along the Clyde River. The walk is completely flat, and you can do the whole thing in less than an hour. So grab your water bottle, and let’s get going!

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A DISAPPOINTING START

The walk begins in the center of town, opposite the Marina on Clyde Street. However, the first two sculptures are nothing spectacular. The first piece is of some brass pelicans, which are a little underwhelming. If you have kids with you, I guess they might like it, and I know that Aria loves them, but I wasn’t sold.

The second sculpture is just a few meters in front of the pelicans, and it is literally just some strips of metal that stick up in the air, which I think are octopus tentacles, perhaps? So, again, not that interesting. In fact, if you skipped these two, you wouldn’t be missing much.

NOW IT GETS INTERESTING

From here on out, it’s all positive. Cross over the road, head right and take a walk along the seafront at Murra Murra Mia Walkway. We like to watch the waves lapping onto the rocks before we head to the end of the boardwalk, which meets up with Beach Road.

This is where you’ll be introduced to the sculpture ‘Portal’ by John Fitzmaurice. Aria calls this one ‘The Waves’ because it reminds her of the ocean on a rough day. It’s great to stand with your back to the promenade, look through the ‘Portal,’ and capture a glimpse of the boats bobbing up and down on the water.

THE FAMOUS OCTOPUS

Just a couple of hundred meters away, you’ll find what is probably the most iconic sculpture of the trail, ‘Bouyansea’ by Jesse Graham, AKA The Octopus. It’s a pretty awesome piece. Made from brass, tourists will often be standing around him trying to capture some fun photos with our town’s little icon. Some of the octopuses’ tentacles are raised high above its head as if he’s waving at passing motorists, or he’s just patiently waiting in constant selfie mode for you to have your obligatory snap with him. I insist that you do before you move on.

THE FISH FAMILY

As you make your way a little further along Beach Road, you’ll come to the fifth sculpture, ‘Family’ by R.M. (Ron) Gomboc, or the Fish Tails as Aria and I call them. It’s a cluster of two tails, almost like they’re sticking up out of the water. If you stand next to it, you’ll have a great view over the harbour, and you’ll be able to see the ‘Octopus’ and ‘Portal’ in the distance. However, if you stand on the other side and look out to the right, you’ll be able to make out the next sculpture, bright red ‘Fishy-MaGee.’ This one is interesting. I quite like the design, and it could be anything from certain angles, but when you first see it, with your back to Beach Road, you will notice it’s actually fish-shaped. Personally, I think it would fit better in its surroundings if it were made from wood or scrap metal. Still, it’s pretty cool. Its official name is ‘Dance’ by Japanese sculptor Haruyuki Uchida.

LOCALS CALL IT ‘THE RUSTY CIRCLE!’

As you continue to follow the shoreline around, you’ll pass through some small but rather under-appreciated gardens, which are home to the poignant ANZAC Memorial dedicated to the shire’s Vietnam War veterans. This is also where you’ll lay your eyes upon ‘Fracture II’ by David Ball. The piece represents the changing states of matter that occur throughout our universe. I’m not quite sure how it does this, as it simply looks like a circle not quite joined together correctly, but Aria loves it, and she always asks me to lift her up to get a closer look.

THE BEST OF THEM ALL!

The final sculpture of the walk is also our personal favourite. Continue walking along the waterfront until you reach the marina. This is one of my favourite spots to watch the sunset, so I suggest you time your walk accordingly. Head down to the end of the pier and feast your eyes on ‘Pelicant’ by Jesse Graham or, as we like to call it, Pelican-Trying-To-Eat-A-Crab. However, the crab is too smart, and he’s trying to get away! Maybe that should be the formal name of the sculpture instead? Tee-hee! Pelicans are everywhere in the Bay, so it’s only fitting that we end our tour with a familiar local face on the harbour.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

When is the best time to do the Sculpture Walk?

Try and time your walk to coincide with sunrise or sunset, as they’re pretty spectacular in Batemans Bay. This means that you’ll have the best backdrop for all of your photos.

How long does the walk take?

Without stopping, it will take around 25-minutes. However, allow up to an hour while you stop at each of the sculptures and enjoy the views.

What facilities are there along the way?

There are toilets and food outlets in town near sculptures one and two, and there are toilets across the road from sculpture number four, Bouyansea. There are a few bars and cafes along the pier as your walking towards the seventh and last sculpture.

Can you do walk in reverse?

Yes, absolutely! You can start at the seventh sculpture and end your walk back in town. Then why not treat yourself to a coffee, ice cream, or even fish and chips, if you like!

Can small children do the walk?

It’s a smooth and flat walk, so it’s excellent for children. I know this, as being a Mum myself, my young daughter and I often do it together. I often bring our pushchair to incase she gets tired. There are benches along the way, too, if they need a rest.

Are there any other walks in Batemans Bay?

There are so many other walks to do in the area that you’re spoilt for choice. There’s the Broulee Island Walk, where you can experience incredible rock formations and stunning natural beauty. Near Guerilla Bay, Burrawarra Point Banksia Walk takes you up to a lighthouse with some spectacular views of the coast. Or there’s Bingi Bing Walking Track around 40-minutes south of the Bay, with the most beautiful quiet beaches and even more amazing views. Watch this space for more posts on these walks in the area in the future.

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Thanks so much for reading my post today on the Sculpture Walk in Batemans Bay. With so many great walks and natural beauty in the area, I want visitors who come to my home town to know that there is plenty to see and do while you’re here, especially for the outdoorsy type. And if you’re not one for long walks, this one is the perfect way to take in a little bit of culture along the Clyde River and enjoy some beautiful views at the same time. Keep checking back on my blog soon, as I will be adding more posts on great walking spots and things to do in the area and its surroundings to help you make the most of our beautiful region.

Have you visited Batemans Bay before? Are you planning on doing any walks here on your next visit? Let me know in the comments section below. Have a question about Batemans Bay? Ask me in the comments, and I’ll get back to you!

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Still looking for more inspiration for your trip to Batemans Bay? Check out more posts on Mogo Wildlife Park and the Heritage Museum, or scroll to the bottom of this page.