Bournda National Park

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Overview

Bournda National Park is the Far South Coast’s best-kept secret. Located near Tathra, enjoy coastal walks, birdwatching and kayaking in Bournda Lagoon.

Read more about Bournda National Park

Bournda National Park is a natural playground on the Far South Coast, packed with options to entice explorers of all ages.

Get away from the crowds and drive to Turingal Head, then wander down to Wine Glass Bay and spend the afternoon picnicking by the beach. Discover secluded beaches and spectacular cliffs along the rugged coastline on the Kangarutha walking track. In the warmer months, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a passing whale.

Hobart Beach makes a perfect base, with excellent camping facilities and loads of activities to keep the kids entertained. Enjoy swimming in the calm waters of Wallagoot Lake. Scour the nearby coastline and Bondi Lake on short walking tracks, or head off to explore on your bike.

If you love sailing or just some gentle paddling, check out the northern shores of Wallagoot Lake as well. Launch your boat and indulge in some waterskiing on the glassy waters. And, of course, the waterways of Bournda offer fantastic fishing and birdwatching opportunities, too.

Current alerts in this area

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Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/bournda-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Bournda National Park.

Map


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Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Tathra:

    • Travel south towards Merimbula on Sapphire Coast Drive

    From Bega:

    • Take the Tathra Road (Snowy Mountains Highway) toward Tathra
    • Turn right onto Sapphire Coast Drive and continue south towards Merimbula

    From Merimbula:

    • Travel north towards Tathra on Sapphire Coast Drive

    Parking

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Bournda National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    As the weather cools but the waters are still warm, it's a great time to enjoy the Kangarutha walking track. Swim along the way at secluded beaches. It will feel like you have the place to yourself.

    Spring

    Enjoy the colours of wildflowers and the take in the smells of spring as the park comes alive. Head to the lookout at North Tura, find a sunny spot and look out for whales passing in the distance.

    Summer

    Discover the water activities on offer. Paddling at Bournda Lagoon, sailing on Wallagoot Lake, fishing at Wine Glass Bay or surfing and swimming at any one of the secluded beaches.

    Facilities

    Amenities

    Toilets

    Picnic tables

    Barbecue facilities

    Showers

    Maps and downloads

    Fees and passes

    Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per day. This park uses a self-registration fee collection system, please bring correct change.

    • All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
    • Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
    • Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)
    • Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)

    Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    Prohibited

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Nearby towns

    Tathra (1 km)

    Tathra is a small coastal township clustered around a historic sea wharf, a popular fishing platform and the only one of its kind remaining on the east coast of Australia.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Merimbula (6 km)

    The main coastal towns of the Sapphire Coast include Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula and Eden. This stunning coastline has sparkling beaches and bays, lakes and national parks, all accessible via excellent walking tracks and coastal drives. You'll find beaches just perfect for surfing, swimming and walks.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Bega (18 km)

    With its forests, lush pastures and a coastline sculpted into a succession of wonders by the sea, the Sapphire Coast is a perfect holiday destination at any time of the year. Set in a valley at the junction of the Bega and Brogo rivers and surrounded by rich dairy country, Bega is a handsome, historic town that's the rural centre of the Sapphire Coast and gateway to the lush Bega Valley. Visit the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, housed in a faithful reproduction of the original, tells the story of cheese-making production in the area.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Learn more

    Bournda National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

      The land of generations

      Turingal Head, Bournda National Park. Photo: John Spencer

      Bournda has been a special place for the Dhurga and Yuin people for thousands of years, with its plentiful food supply and quarry for making tools. As you explore the park and its wildlife, it'll be no surprise that 'Bournda' means 'place of tea tree and kangaroos'.

      • Bournda bush tucker tour Walk alongside an NPWS Aboriginal guide on this easy stroll through Bournda National Park. Join the search for traditional bush tucker and medicine plants on this cultural tour near Bega.
      • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 3 HSIE excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
      • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 HSIE excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
      • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 2 HSIE excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
      • Traditional weaving workshop: Bournda Get creative on a traditional weaving workshop in Bournda National Park, near Bega. Learn Aboriginal weaving techniques and see how these ancient skills carry a strong connection to Aboriginal culture.

      Ships ahoy

      Kianinny Bay picnic area, Bournda National Park. Photo: John Spencer

      There's plenty of fascinating heritage in Bournda, dating back to the 1830s when European settlement of the district began. Today, you can still see anchor bolts at Kangarutha Point, which was established as a port with Kianinny Bay in 1859. It's also believed the existing track to the point, and parts of the coastal walk, were once used to supply ships anchored there, and transport produce and passengers. Some building remains can also be found around Games Bay, which was cleared for dairy farming by settler Mr Games.

      Get active

      Kianinny Bay picnic area, Bournda National Park. Photo: John Spencer

      With so much to do, there's no excuse not to get active in Bournda. The beaches and waterways offer a range of options for watersport enthusiasts - waterskiing, boating, paddling, sail boarding, fishing, swimming and surfing. The coastal walk is perfect for hikers and those hoping to spot migrating whales. And for cyclists, the roads throughout the park are an extensive network to navigate on your bike.

      • Bournda workshops to awaken your wild side Activate your wild self and boost your sense of well-being on these delightful workshops with Wild Cherry Nature Connection, inspired by the natural beauty of Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
      • Dragons in the forest tour Embark on this beautiful 6km loop walk along the picturesque Sapphire Coast. Guided by an NPWS Discovery Ranger, we'll pass the pristine Sandy Beach Creek and Bournda Lagoon.
      • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 3 HSIE excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
      • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 HSIE excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
      • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 2 HSIE excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.

      Birdwatchers haven

      Wallagoot Lake, Bournda National Park. Photo: John Spencer

      With around 200 species of birds in the area, Bournda is a birdwatcher's paradise. The estuarine wetlands at the eastern end of Wallagoot Lake provide roosting and feeding areas for a large variety of waders and waterfowl. Keep your eyes out for threatened species like the little tern, hooded plover and pied oystercatcher. Bondi Lake is the largest freshwater lake situated behind coastal dunes in the region, and is another important habitat for waterbirds.

      • Bournda Lagoon Bournda Lagoon is an ideal spot within Bournda National Park, near North Tura, where kids can swim, fish and go paddling and picnic among the paper barks.
      • Bournda workshops to awaken your wild side Activate your wild self and boost your sense of well-being on these delightful workshops with Wild Cherry Nature Connection, inspired by the natural beauty of Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
      • Canoe Bournda Lagoon Paddle along pristine Bournda Lagoon on a guided canoeing adventure in Bournda National Park. Find out about the park's waterways and see the park from a unique perspective on this family-friendly tour.
      • Dragons in the forest tour Embark on this beautiful 6km loop walk along the picturesque Sapphire Coast. Guided by an NPWS Discovery Ranger, we'll pass the pristine Sandy Beach Creek and Bournda Lagoon.
      • Kangarutha walking track Kangarutha walking track, in Bournda National Park, is a hiking route with scenic coastal views and birdwatching, picnicking and swimming opportunities along the way.
      • Sandy Creek loop track Taking in Bournda Lagoon, Sandy Creek and pockets of dry sclerophyll forest, Sandy Creek loop track is a hike in Bournda National Park on the far South Coast.
      Show more

      Education resources (1)

      School excursions (3)

      What we're doing

      Bournda National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.