What is Booderee National Park?
Booderee National Park is on the southern shore of Jervis Bay, in the Jervis Bay Territory. It is jointly managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and Parks Australia.
In 1995 the land was handed back to the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, who lease it to the federal government as a national park. Booderee means bay of plenty or plenty of fish in the local Dhurga language.
The park has white beaches, sheltered bays, heathland and forest. Popular spots include Green Patch, Murrays Beach, Cave Beach and the ruins of the Cape St George Lighthouse.
Botanic garden
Booderee Botanic Gardens is the only Aboriginal-owned botanic garden in Australia. It showcases plants of the south coast and how Aboriginal people use them.
Wildlife includes eastern grey kangaroos, eastern bristlebirds and dolphins in the bay.
Campgrounds at Green Patch and Bristol Point are popular in summer, and a park pass is needed for entry. The park also includes the waters of Jervis Bay's southern shore, where snorkellers explore rocky reefs and seagrass beds.
Did You Know?
The Cape St George Lighthouse was built in a poor location in 1860, could not be seen well by ships, and was later demolished, leaving ruins.