Bournda National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bournda National Park New South Wales
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Bournda National Park Location in New South Wales
Nearest town or city	Tathra
Established	6 September 1947
Area	2,655 ha (6,560 acres)
Managing authorities	New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Bournda National Park
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

The Bournda National Park is a special protected area in New South Wales, Australia. It covers about 2,655-hectare (6,560-acre) of land. This park is managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. It was officially made a national park on April 24, 1992.

Bournda National Park is also part of an important area for birds. This area is called the Ulladulla to Merimbula Important Bird Area. It's special because it helps protect birds like the swift parrot.

Discover Bournda National Park

This beautiful park is located about 343 kilometers (213 miles) south of Sydney. It is very close to the town of Tathra. Bournda National Park stretches along the coast for about 13 kilometers (8 miles). It starts from Kianinny Bay, which is just south of Tathra. There is a great walking track that follows the coastline for most of the park's length.

Bournda National Park from above Kianinny Bay.

Waterways in the Park

The park is home to three main bodies of water, each with its own unique features:

• Wallagoot Lake: This is a large saltwater lake. It sometimes connects to the ocean. The last time it opened up to the ocean was in June 2008.
• Bondi Lake: This lake is very important for nature. It is the freshwater lake closest to the ocean in this region. This makes it special for many plants and animals.
• Bournda Lagoon: This is a brackish lagoon. "Brackish" means it's a mix of fresh water and salt water. This lagoon also opens to the ocean from time to time. It's a popular spot for swimming for both local people and campers.

You can find good camping spots at the Hobart Beach campground. It's a great place to stay and explore the park.

Park History and Protection

Bournda National Park used to be called a State Recreation Area. It became a National Park in 1992. Right next to the park is the Bournda Nature Reserve. This reserve was created in 1972 and is much larger, covering 6,088 hectares. Both the park and the reserve are managed together by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This helps protect all the plants and animals in the area.

Walking Tracks to Explore

There are several fun walking tracks in Bournda National Park. They let you explore different parts of the park:

• Hobart Beach to Bournda Lagoon: This walk is 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) long.
• Hobart Beach to Scotts Bay: This is a shorter walk, only 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles).
• Hobart Beach to Tathra via the Kangarutha Track: This is a longer adventure, about 12.0 kilometers (7.5 miles).
• Bournda Lagoon round trip via Bournda Island: This loop walk is 6.0 kilometers (3.7 miles) long.

The southern coastline