Garie Road to Era Loop

Garie Road to Era Loop is a roughly 5 km (3.1 mi) circuit from the Garie Road / The Squeeze Way junction. It drops down Stockyard Spur to the coast, then climbs Burgh Ridge and returns by management roads. Allow about 2¼ to 3 hours with stops. The mapped line is about 5 km; some published figures run longer, and the optional North Era spur is left out.

The first 430 m follows a fairly flat management track. At the small rise, look left for an unmarked bush-track turn beside a round rock. Stockyard Spur winds among large rocks, drops steeply through open forest, then pushes through thick grass before the coast opens ahead. This is the roughest part to follow, so don’t walk past the turn.

At the grassy headland, the route reaches the coastal path by Era. It’s a welcome change from the shaded ridge: open grass, ocean views, beach and coastal scrub. The main circuit continues around the back of the beach and between the cabins toward the Coast Track sign. A short spur toward the North Era campground sign is optional and isn’t part of the mapped loop.

At the Coast Track junction, turn inland and take the bush track up Burgh Ridge. The climb is long and steep, but it gives you views both north and south along the coast. Ferns and coastal scrub lead into dense eucalypt forest near the crest, where the grade eases. The track then meets the management trail by Garrawarra Farm for the return.

Use the Governor Game Lookout parking area on Garie Road, then make the short walk to the Garie Road / The Squeeze Way junction, where the circuit begins. Expect sparse signs and a rough, unmarked turn; save the route before setting out. Dogs aren’t allowed in the park, except certified assistance animals.

The open headland and Burgh Ridge viewpoints are the places to pause for a photo. Include the grassy ridge in the foreground so the beaches and steep drop to the coast have some scale.