Type

Picnic areas

Where

Bournda National Park in South Coast

Entry fees

Park entry fees apply

What to
bring

Drinking water, hat, sunscreen

Please note

The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, please be well prepared for your visit.

Bournda Lagoon occasionally opens to the ocean but is usually a calm, warm swimming hole. An avenue of paperbarks fringes the lagoon and a cascade of giant honey myrtles grow down to the shore; their flowers perfume the air in spring and add to the beauty of this scenic location. Swans are often seen on the lagoon and sea eagles fly overhead as they hunt along the coastline. Wallabies and kangaroos also enjoy the tranquillity of this idyllic place to picnic.

Only a short walk from the carpark, the lagoon is easily accessible. Sheltered and shallow, it’s a safe environment for children to swim and paddle a canoe to their hearts’ content, so bring the whole family and enjoy a day out. There are also plenty of shady spots for a picnic or just to relax and feel a million miles away from civilisation. Remember to bring along your fishing rod, and when you’ve made the catch of the day, spark up a wood fire barbecue and cook up a feast.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Birdwatchers haven

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.

Get active

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.

Ships ahoy

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.

The land of generations

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'.