Mystery Bay is located in one of Australia’s most stunning and unspoilt coastal areas. Nestled between the Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) which dominates the land in this area and Barranguba (Montague Island) seven kilometres offshore, Mystery is a mix of rugged bays and headlands interspersed with empty beaches of golden sand and smooth granite pebble.
Amid the jagged deep brown volcanic rocks that jut from the land at Mystery Bay lie deep parallel channels containing a multitude of fish, seaweeds, abalone, lobster and the occasional Australian Fur Seal.
Mystery Bay is one of the hidden gems of the New South Far South Coast and a jewel in the crown of our Coastal Highlights Tour that operates daily as a full day tour from Batemans Bay and Moruya or as a half day tour from Narooma.
Aboriginal cultural signifcance
Gulaga and the surrounding landscape have great spiritual significance to South Coast Aboriginal people, particularly as a birthing place for Aboriginal women. Click here to listen to Cheryl Davison telling the story of Gulaga and her sons, Barranguba and Najanuga.
Why is Mystery Bay so named?
In 1880, five men disappeared while rowing from Batemans Bay to Bermagui and the site of the Colony’s newest gold strike at Montreal. Their damaged eight-metre row boat was discovered on a beach (Mystery Bay) on 10 October and while there was no trace of the men, there was bait, a pocket knife, pipe and tobacco, food and a bag of mixed personal articles still in the boat and scattered on the beach. To this day the disappearance of the men remains a mystery.
Where we stay in Mystery Bay
VIP Private Tours can also help with your accommodation booking in the Mystery Bay area. For a fun farm stay experience with your pets we recommend Oakleigh Farm Cottages on Mystery Bay Road. Karen and Andrew have five self contained cottages on about 100 acres that look directly at Barranguba (Montague Island). For a unique couples experience, we recommend Tilba Lake Camp where Rebecca and Tim can set you up in a luxe Lotus Belle Tent with 360 degree views of Tilba Lake, the Pacific Ocean, Gulaga and lush green paddocks.
