Conjola National Park
Overview
Boasting lakes, ocean and forests, Conjola National Park is a nature-lover’s paradise, offering bushwalking, swimming, mountian biking, canoeing, and fishing.
Read more about Conjola National Park
There aren’t many places where lakes, cascading creeks, the ocean and vast forests come together. But Conjola National Park has it all, and only 2 hours from Sydney. This natural gem has a huge range of attractions within a short distance of some of the small settlements on the south coast of NSW.
A network of tracks and trails through the park can be used for cycling, bushwalking, horse riding and car touring. Those who love the water can canoe on Swan Lake or swim at Berrara Beach. Berrara is an indigenous word for ‘snapper’, so it’s a great place to throw in a fishing line in as well.
For nature-lovers, Conjola is a wild paradise. During spring, wildlflowers are abundant. The park’s large variety of plant life also means there’s a huge range of animals and birds. Eastern grey kangaroos and echidnas are common, but the noisy black cockatoos are a visitor favourite.
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/conjola-national-park/local-alerts
Contact
- in the South Coast region
Conjola National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Ulladulla office
02 4454 9500
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. - Lot 9 Blackburn Industrial Estate, 6 Coller Road Ulladulla NSW 2539
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Email: npws.shoalhaven@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Ulladulla office
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Nowra office
02 4428 6300
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. - 104 Flatrock Road, Mundamia NSW 2540
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Email: npws.shoalhaven@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Nowra office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Conjola National Park.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Conjola National Park is accessible via a number of points along the Princes Highway – look for the signposts to particular areas.
- From Sussex Inlet, take The Springs Road to Goonawarra Drive and other park roads.
- From Ulladulla or Bendalong, turn north from Bendalong Road onto Cedar Road to reach the Monument Beach picnic area.
Parking
- Monument Beach picnic area See on map
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
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 Conjola National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
As the temperature cools slightly, this a great time to get active in the park with some bushwalking and mountain biking.
Spring
The wildflowers – waratahs and wattle among them – are in full bloom, bringing with them large numbers of birds. You might even be lucky enough to spot the rare Scalet Honeyeater or Little Lorikeet.
Summer
Hot weather means plenty of time for the beach and water. Keep an eye open for the endangered hooded plover and other shorebirds foraging on the sand.
Winter
The light is clear and beautiful and the beaches and trails very quiet – just the thing if you prefer exploring with few other people around.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
19°C and 24°C
Highest recorded
40.6°C
Winter temperature
Average
10°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
-3.2°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
May
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
316.7mm
Facilities
Toilets
Picnic tables
Drinking water
Maps and downloads
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
Lake Conjola (29 km)
Lake Conjola is a deep coastal lake regularly open to the sea which provides a wonderful playground for fishing and boating enthusiasts.
Ulladulla (35 km)
Ulladulla is close to several wonderful national parks. Morton National Park, to the west, is home to Pigeon House Mountain, a local landmark which is a popular climb. Murramarang National Park, between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, has beautiful coastal walks, beaches and camping sites.
Nowra (45 km)
Nowra is a historic city and the commercial heart of the Shoalhaven. It's on the Shoalhaven River close to beaches and national parks.
Learn more
Conjola National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Maritime monument
In 1870, 12 men lost their lives when the clipper Walter Hood struck rocks off the coast between Bendalong and Berrara. A monument, erected in 1927, marks the burial site of the drowned captain and crew. it is a short walk from the Monument Beach picnic area.
- Monument Beach picnic area Set in a forest behind the beach, Monument Beach picnic area is a quiet base from which to take a short walk and learn about the history of the area.
- Nerindillah Lagoon walking track The short and easy Nerindillah Lagoon walking track takes in Monument Beach, historic heritage including the Walter Hood monument, and is great for birdwatching.
Driving force
You can easily explore Conjola from the comfort of your car. Some of the tracks and trails that take you through forests, past the lakes and to the ocean are even accessible for 2WD vehicles in dry weather. One of the most popular drives is from Cudmirrah to Monument Beach picnic ground, following Goonawarra Drive, Blackbutt Road and Cedar Road. Just take care as you're driving along, because you'll be sharing the trails with cyclists, walkers and horse-riders as well as wildlife, which also cross the tracks mainly in the early morning and late afternoon.
- Berrara Creek Popular with families, Berrara Creek becomes a beautiful lagoon that leads to the beach. Put your canoe in and paddle upstream, go swimming or fishing.
- Monument Beach picnic area Set in a forest behind the beach, Monument Beach picnic area is a quiet base from which to take a short walk and learn about the history of the area.
Animal planet
With open forests and scrubland, there are plenty of places to find Conjola's wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for eastern grey kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, brushtail possums and gliders, along with a huge range of cockatoos and parrots, black swans and herons. As well as providing the perfect place for swimming, canoeing, fishing and water sports, the three lakes adjacent to the park - Conjola, Berringer and Swan - are a significant habitat for many birds, such as little terns, the endangered hooded plover and pied oystercatchers.
- Berrara Creek Popular with families, Berrara Creek becomes a beautiful lagoon that leads to the beach. Put your canoe in and paddle upstream, go swimming or fishing.
- Heath Circuit Get close to nature on Heath Circuit, a 24km loop bike ride along signposted trails.
Aboriginal influence
The land around Conjola National Park has been home for the Budawang and Yuin people for about 6000 years. There are many Aboriginal sites in the area, including middens, campsites and rock shelters. At Fishermans Rock, the midden contains fragments of mussels and mud oysters that were once meals for the local Aboriginal people. You'll also see some axe-grinding grooves in the sandstone.
- Berrara Creek Popular with families, Berrara Creek becomes a beautiful lagoon that leads to the beach. Put your canoe in and paddle upstream, go swimming or fishing.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Conjola 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.