Local Trail - Red Light

Red Light District and Shark Mangrove

Getting there

The trail is best accessed from Culgoa Crescent in Pambula Beach. The track goes into the bush opposite number 77, next to the back Entrance of Lumen Christi school.

The track

Head into the bush, after 100 metres go straight at the crossroads. In 1km in you should be climbing a reasonably serious hill. After 1.1k you turn right and keep heading around so that you are going up under the telegraph poles.

After 2km you will be at the top of the hill under the red light used by aircraft heading into Merimbula Airport, (it is after all the red light district). Then continue straight on the track on the other side of the light, and, when you hit a fork shortly after, turn right.

Follow this undulating fire trail until the 3.2km mark, when you hit shark mangrove, turn right there into the single trail at the tree stump. At 4.7k turn right, just after the oven (it’s been there a while) and go past the couch, then continue on the trail on the right (eastern) side of the industrial area.

Continue and you will meet Pambula beach road at 5.1k, head right on the bike path on the other side of the road. At 6.3 km turn right after the school and follow the road (Culgoa Crescent) 100 metres back to the start

Difficulty

This a moderately difficult trail with a decent hill climb up to the red light. It is quite sandy and rocky in sections. The distance is just over 6km for a loop. The track is largely in National Park and is not suitable for dogs.

Connections

• If you turn left after the first big climb you will end up back in Pambula Beach on Kanangra street (about 1km)
• The track off to your left just after the fork at the red light heads down to Pambula river in Ben Boyd National Park
• There is a track going along the Mangroves at Shark Mangrove
• The track links with the bike track between Pambula and Pambula Beach, there are several trails heading off to the North side of the National Park, the best being one opposite the skate park which will take you toward Merimbula.