Where

Bournda National Park in South Coast

Distance

6km loop

Time suggested

2 - 3hrs

Grade

Grade 4

Entry fees

Park entry fees apply

What to
bring

Hat, sunscreen, drinking water

Sandy Creek loop track is a moderately challenging hiking trail that will keep you interested all the way round. The track passes through various natural habitats, such as dry sclerophyll forests, she-oak thickets, pockets of rainforest and an avenue of paper barks that fringe the picturesque Bournda Lagoon. The loop takes in the coastline, Sandy Beach Creek and Bournda Lake so bring along your swimmers and fishing rod.

Birdwatching is a great thing to do in Bournda, and you’ll be able to see and hear a range of birds while you’re walking this track. Keep an eye out for raucous glossy-black and yellow-tailed black cockatoos, and the graceful sea eagles can often be seen hunting along the coastline.

Remember to also look down occasionally to see if you can spot any delicate rock orchids. In spring the air is sweetened by the orchid’s perfume and by other native wildflowers such as those of the giant honey myrtle. Keep an eye out for swamp wallabies, kangaroos and water dragons.

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'.