Nangudga Lake at Handkerchief Beach

Barunga Point, Narooma, New South Wales

The outlet of Nangudga Lake, sometimes referred to as Handkerchief Lake, consists of a 300 metre long sandy channel that is fantastic for tube riding on the change of tides, either side of high tide. The current is swift enough to push you along at moderate speed, and the water is mostly shallow enough to be able to stand up and walk out when you are ready to hop out. On my visits there have usually been plenty of supervising adults walking in the water beside their young kids as they float up or down the channel. Above: The bend in the channel from which to launch your inflatable (Order this image)

Either side of high tide it is deep enough for a swim in the middle of the channel. You can test yourself against the current in what is a natural swimming spa. After a dozen strokes I was just able to inch ahead a few metres at a time before drifting back with the current to catch my breath. I would then start to swim from the same spot again. This is great if you want to have a long swim, but still want to keep an eye on your gear whilst in the water, because like your gear, you never actually move! At low tide it is too shallow for a swim, but it is still suitable for shallow water play or sitting down in the water.

The mouth of the lake was very shallow during my visits, so it was easy enough to drift into the oncoming waves and simply stand up before reaching the ocean. It is always a good idea to check conditions at the exit of your tube ride before floating off into the water. Above: The long stretch of sand alongside the Nangudga lake outlet channel (Order this image)

There are no picnic facilities here apart from a single picnic table, but there is a very small patch of grass next to the car park and heaps of soft sand to set yourself down on. This spot also has the advantage that it can be sheltered from the wind by the trees on the bend of the channel, making it more attractive than the beaches along the coast during blustery conditions. These trees can also provide a tiny bit of shade in the middle of the day.

Here is a video of my swim and tube ride at the lake on an outgoing tide. It was a few hours after high tide, and roughly half a metre below the high tide mark.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, watch out for the oysters on the rocks on the opposite bank, and be mindful that the current can be swift when the tides are changing. The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park beside the lake outlet channel. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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