Beach number: nsw436
Includes beaches: Bristol Pt/scottish Rocks
State/Region: ACT - Jervis Bay
Beach name: BRISTOL PT/SCOTTISH ROCKS
General Beach Hazard Rating: 2
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach

Bristol Point is a 350 m long sandstone point backed by a blufftop camping area. In the centre of the point is a 90 m long patch of north-facing sand (NSW 435), bordered by rock platforms, with linear rock reefs extending off the beach. Immediately to the east is Scottish Rocks beach (NSW 436), which curves east for 980 m to Scottish Rocks. This is a lower energy reflective beach, with seagrass growing to within 30 m of the shore. It can be accessed on foot from Bristol Point or the Scottish Rocks walking track at the eastern end. On the eastern side of 300 m long Scottish Rocks, is Hole in the Wall beach (NSW 437), which curves to the northeast for 750 m. A small creek drains across the northern end causing the beach to protrude and shallow sandy bay floor to shoal, resulting in the seagrass moving 100 m offshore (Fig. 4.337). This beach is also accessed via the Scottish Rocks track. All three beaches are backed by dense natural vegetation on the backing foredunes and bordering slopes.

Beyond Hole in the Wall is 1 km of low rocky shore, at the northern end of which is the Murrays Beach boat ramp and jetty, backed by the large car park, originally cleared for a nuclear power plant. Beginning at the boat ramp and following the rear of the rocks to the northeast is a 500 m long beach (NSW 438W). This is a crenulate low energy strip of high tide sand unsuitable for swimming. At the end of the rocks the shore turns and trends east, with the curving 510 m long Murray Beach (NSW 438) between the rocks and the western side of 30 m high Governors Head. Murrays Beach faces north across a 700 m wide channel to Bowen Island, with only low swell moving between the 150 m wide narrowest part of the channel, resulting in a cusped reflective white sand beach. This is a popular beach accessed from the large car park. It is backed by densely vegetated dunes rising to 30 m. The dunes originate from Steamers Beach, 6 km to the south. The car park and beach are also the starting point for walking tracks that follow the steep cliff tops down toward Cape St Georges Lighthouse.

Apart from the relatively deep water close inshore these beaches are usually relatively quite. At Green Patch a floating net gives bathers additional security, while at Murrays Beach beware of tidal currents in the channel off the beach.

None.

The rocky shores are the more popular spots, with boat launching from the Murrays beach ramp

ditto

Type: Formal parking area
Spaces: 40