Turingal Head picnic area

Bournda National Park

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Overview

Make your way to Turingal Head picnic area for a fun-filled day full of swimming, fishing, stunning scenery and amazing birdlife.

Type
Picnic areas
Accessibility
Hard
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park.
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird/whale watch.

Nestled among the red gums and giant honey myrtle, Turingal Head picnic area is a tranquil setting for a relaxing picnic near the glistening waters of Wallagoot Lake and Wine Glass Bay.

Sit back and enjoy this peaceful spot from one of the many sheltered nooks or picnic shelters. Wander down to the wetlands around the mouth of the Wallagoot Lake for some colourful birdwatching.

You could take the short 200m walk to Wine Glass Bay, where you’ll encounter spectacular views. Continue another 100m to the ocean beach where you can enjoy a refreshing swim or a peaceful afternoon of beach fishing. If you’re feeling energetic, why not explore the southern part of the Kangarutha walking track?

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/picnic-areas/turingal-head-picnic-area/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Turingal Head picnic area.

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Turingal Head picnic area is in Bournda National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

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.
  • 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.

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.

  • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 History 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 History 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 3 Geography 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.

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.

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'.

  • Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 History 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 History 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 3 Geography 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.

Education resources (1)

School excursions (3)

General enquiries

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Park info

  • in Bournda National Park in the South Coast region
  • Bournda National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.

  • Park entry fees:

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

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info