Find out about the Wreck Bay Aboriginal people in this national park, which has a breathtaking coastline, botanic gardens and pristine marine reserve.
Booderee National Park is an unspoiled tract of white-sand beaches, fascinating wildlife and breathtaking bushlands. Learn why the area’s traditional custodians named it the “bay of plenty” in their Dhurga language when you experience this magnificent landscape that is jointly managed by their community, the Wreck Bay Aboriginal people. Encompassing 15,762 acres (6,379 hectares) of abundant coastal scenery, Booderee combines the Jervis Bay National Park and the Booderee Botanic Gardens.
Explore deserted beaches with sheltered aquamarine shores and swim or snorkel in the warm waters. Green Patch Beach is a sanctuary for marine life, while Cave Beach is a great spot for surfing or strolling along the sand. Admire the stunning coastal scenery from Steamers Beach. Make your way to Murrays Beach in the evening to see the little penguins returning to their colony on Bowen Island.
For more wildlife-watching opportunities, book a scuba diving trip from nearby Huskisson or see some of the region’s bigger marine creatures by whale watching in the winter months from the Cape St. George Lighthouse. You might see humpback and southern right whales embarking on their annual migration north. This area is also a hotspot for birdwatchers. Go boating from the wharf at Murrays Beach and drop a fishing line to hook flathead, mackerel, groper and Australian salmon. Charter fishing tours and bay cruises are a great way to get a different insight into the park.
The national park is an ecological haven, renowned for its native bushland, walking trails and campgrounds. Don’t miss a trip to the Botanic Gardens, where you can learn about the local flora and the Wreck Bay people’s botanical uses for different species. Go on an indigenous guided tour to learn more about the local cultural heritage of the region.
Booderee National Park is situated between Nowra and Ulladulla on New South Wales’ South Coast. The park is approximately a 3-hour drive from Sydney or Canberra. The park is open year-round. Go to the park’s visitor centre to book camping sites and purchase passes and permits.
