Bournda National Park
Bournda National Park
4
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4.0
14 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Skeney57
Sydney, Australia25,017 contributions
Feb 2021
Not the largest NP going around but does cover a lot of ground. Stretches from north of Tura via beach frontages, lagoons & lakes up to south of Tathra. With plenty of smaller or longer walks available , the Bournda NP Coastal Walking Tracks offer lots of choices. The longest is the 9km to Kangarutha Head with smaller tracks to White Rock, Hobart Beach Campground & Wallagoot Lake. An enjoyable change of pace.
Written 28 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emanpee
Sydney, Australia2,728 contributions
Nov 2020
Covering a large area, we entered carpark at North Tura Beach. A wonderful long stretch of sand and several walks can be done from here. Must pay for parking, one flat rate for day. Beach not patroilled , and surf can be a bit wild, so may not suit family beach days.
Written 13 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower, Australia3,581 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We had booked this spot mid last year without knowing anything about the park. We booked three spots on Hobart Beach Campground where we had drop toilets and showers and a good clean campsite. We had park rangers going around everyday checking the sites and cleaning the toilets and showers. We were a short walk to Wallagoot Lake which unfortunately was suffering from blue green algae but still very pretty and still plenty of fish to be caught. The rates were reasonable and the position fantastic being half way between Merimbula and Bega and a short drive to Tathra and Tura beach. There was an abundant of wildlife including fish, birds, kangaroos, wallabies, goannas possums (maybe too many of these) and tiny lizards, the grandchildren loved watching the various animals antics.
Written 21 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wucie
Bern, Switzerland477 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
To be fair we did only visit a small section of this park, but what we experienced didn’t make us want to explore more, plus we were located closer to neighbouring Mimosa Rocks National Park which we preferred.
Bournda National Park encompasses 6,560 acres of forest, bodies of water, jagged coastline and pristine beaches south of Tathra. There’s an A$8 per day per vehicle entrance fee which can be paid at unmanned booths (bring change). People come for the watersports, birding, hiking, camping and fishing in both sea and Wallagoot Lake (a large salt water lake perfect for water sports); Bondi Lake (smaller, freshwater) and Bournda Lagoon (smaller still and brackish). Overnighting is at the large but sole campground of Hobart Beach which is popular, fills up fast (reservations required and fees apply) and which provides picnic tables, BBQs, carpark, toilets, communal block and even showers. Picnic tables, toilets and BBQs, but no bins are provided in other parts of the Park, but camping is only permitted at Hobart Beach. The National Park is extended inland by the Bournda Nature Reserve though most people stick to the National Park with its greater amenities and sea/lakes.
Access is via four entry points (we picked Bournda Road) which lead to various sections of the National Park and the roads are well maintained… so much so that people drive very fast on them. Granted we did visit at the weekend but when we stopped at the park entrance to pay the park fee, four cars sped by without stopping (resulting in clouds of dust and flying gravel—note to Park, why don’t you add a couple of speed bumps, at least near the pay booths?).
Bournda is great for watersports. Bournda Lagoon is scenic and a great place to swim. It’s a little restricted for kayaking or paddle boarding but there were many less people here than at Wallagoot Lake. There are a number of hiking options throughout the park, including the Kangarutha walking track (12 km one way or some 4 hours) which hugs the coastline from Tathra in the north to Turingal Head picnic area in the south, though a number of access trails along its length mean you can break the walk up into smaller sections and the shorter Sandy Creek loop track (6 km loop or 2 hours) at the end of Bournda Lagoon Road.
We completed the 6 km Sandy Creek undulating loop in around two hours though you could spend considerably longer if you picnic, fish or swim. The trailhead starts at the parking at the end of Bournda Lagoon Road and runs (clockwise) out along the beach and up a series of steps into a dry melaleuca forest. The track then winds up and down through she-oak and rainforest to Sandy Creek (low water in mid February when we visited though apparently you sometimes have to wade across) and then up a steep incline to a scenic lookout (worth checking out) with views over the lake, lagoon and beach, before dropping back down steeply through melaleuca to the parking. The lagoon was popular with swimmers and paddle boarders; we spotted and heard a number of birds; the parking at the trailhead provides basic amenities such as toilets, BBQs and picnic tables. This was an easy, interesting, varied hike but it could have been better maintained (a number of fallen trees across the path).
So why the average? I have no problem with paying a park fee (and A$8 is really just a token), but I don’t see why Bournda requires one when Mimosa Rocks just up the road doesn’t. Not only did we find Mimosa Rocks more scenic with nicer beaches and inlets, we also found the former better maintained, especially the hiking trails. What put us off Bournda most however were the speeding cars. If you are going to make visitors stop to pay entrance fees then at least ensure that those who (presumably) already have, slow down so they don’t cover everything/one in dust.
Bournda National Park encompasses 6,560 acres of forest, bodies of water, jagged coastline and pristine beaches south of Tathra. There’s an A$8 per day per vehicle entrance fee which can be paid at unmanned booths (bring change). People come for the watersports, birding, hiking, camping and fishing in both sea and Wallagoot Lake (a large salt water lake perfect for water sports); Bondi Lake (smaller, freshwater) and Bournda Lagoon (smaller still and brackish). Overnighting is at the large but sole campground of Hobart Beach which is popular, fills up fast (reservations required and fees apply) and which provides picnic tables, BBQs, carpark, toilets, communal block and even showers. Picnic tables, toilets and BBQs, but no bins are provided in other parts of the Park, but camping is only permitted at Hobart Beach. The National Park is extended inland by the Bournda Nature Reserve though most people stick to the National Park with its greater amenities and sea/lakes.
Access is via four entry points (we picked Bournda Road) which lead to various sections of the National Park and the roads are well maintained… so much so that people drive very fast on them. Granted we did visit at the weekend but when we stopped at the park entrance to pay the park fee, four cars sped by without stopping (resulting in clouds of dust and flying gravel—note to Park, why don’t you add a couple of speed bumps, at least near the pay booths?).
Bournda is great for watersports. Bournda Lagoon is scenic and a great place to swim. It’s a little restricted for kayaking or paddle boarding but there were many less people here than at Wallagoot Lake. There are a number of hiking options throughout the park, including the Kangarutha walking track (12 km one way or some 4 hours) which hugs the coastline from Tathra in the north to Turingal Head picnic area in the south, though a number of access trails along its length mean you can break the walk up into smaller sections and the shorter Sandy Creek loop track (6 km loop or 2 hours) at the end of Bournda Lagoon Road.
We completed the 6 km Sandy Creek undulating loop in around two hours though you could spend considerably longer if you picnic, fish or swim. The trailhead starts at the parking at the end of Bournda Lagoon Road and runs (clockwise) out along the beach and up a series of steps into a dry melaleuca forest. The track then winds up and down through she-oak and rainforest to Sandy Creek (low water in mid February when we visited though apparently you sometimes have to wade across) and then up a steep incline to a scenic lookout (worth checking out) with views over the lake, lagoon and beach, before dropping back down steeply through melaleuca to the parking. The lagoon was popular with swimmers and paddle boarders; we spotted and heard a number of birds; the parking at the trailhead provides basic amenities such as toilets, BBQs and picnic tables. This was an easy, interesting, varied hike but it could have been better maintained (a number of fallen trees across the path).
So why the average? I have no problem with paying a park fee (and A$8 is really just a token), but I don’t see why Bournda requires one when Mimosa Rocks just up the road doesn’t. Not only did we find Mimosa Rocks more scenic with nicer beaches and inlets, we also found the former better maintained, especially the hiking trails. What put us off Bournda most however were the speeding cars. If you are going to make visitors stop to pay entrance fees then at least ensure that those who (presumably) already have, slow down so they don’t cover everything/one in dust.
Written 14 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDoor_isopen
Tuggeranong, Australia2,892 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The Sandy Creek loop track is one of several walks offered in Bournda National Park.
It’s a pretty route around the lagoon, through several forests and offering scenic views.
30 years ago it was well maintained with safe tracks for our children who were under 10 at the time. Now, it is dangerously unsafe with fallen trees and stony paths which disappear under branches and shrubbery to the extent that we lost our way. There needs to be more signs. Another reviewer complained about this exact problem in March. Nothing has been done.
Given that there is now an $8 fee to use the park, it’s hugely disappointing that they cannot maintain the walking tracks to a safe standard. It’s only a matter of time until an accident happens and there is no mobile service available within this area of the park to get help. Take my advice and avoid this walk until work is done to make it safe and walkable again.
It’s a pretty route around the lagoon, through several forests and offering scenic views.
30 years ago it was well maintained with safe tracks for our children who were under 10 at the time. Now, it is dangerously unsafe with fallen trees and stony paths which disappear under branches and shrubbery to the extent that we lost our way. There needs to be more signs. Another reviewer complained about this exact problem in March. Nothing has been done.
Given that there is now an $8 fee to use the park, it’s hugely disappointing that they cannot maintain the walking tracks to a safe standard. It’s only a matter of time until an accident happens and there is no mobile service available within this area of the park to get help. Take my advice and avoid this walk until work is done to make it safe and walkable again.
Written 6 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kell M
Sydney, Australia26 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
It is a truly magic area. The National Park Rangers keep everything nice and tidy. There are 4 minute showers, no drinking water, fire pits (take own firewood), pit toilets, basic laundry, bush walking, lake and beach locality.
The road in is a dirty road.
The campsites are well set out in small groups, so you can find your spot near it away from others.
The Bell Birds sing beautifully all day. It was a serene spot we really enjoyed.
Lakeside is a sparkly quartz sand.
The road in is a dirty road.
The campsites are well set out in small groups, so you can find your spot near it away from others.
The Bell Birds sing beautifully all day. It was a serene spot we really enjoyed.
Lakeside is a sparkly quartz sand.
Written 17 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoJo
Canberra, Australia29 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Stunning bushland views, gorgeous beaches, semi-tame wallabies, birds, lizards and beautiful Wallaga Lake. Campsites also.
Written 6 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul
Bega, Australia13 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
It was not easy to find where to go to park close to the ocean beach but once we found the perfect spot at the end of the 'lagoon' track, we were treated to a totally empty pristine beach! Wow! Just watch out for the blue jellyfish washed up on the beach ...
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cee Dee
Batemans Bay, Australia29 contributions
May 2021
A great coastal bushwalk through varying types of coastal vegetation, somewhat challenging, but super rewarding. Some of the track is a bit degraded as of May 2021 but just due to recent weather events - all passable.
Written 19 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
239colin
Melbourne, Australia78 contributions
Sept 2018 • Family
Some good walks we did the lake walk and also the one to island Part of path tp rock is closed Haycock point is far better
Written 10 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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