Conjola National Park

McDonald State Forest, Conjula National Park, Attila Bicskos / Auscape International

Introduction

Located on the state’s south coast, Conjola National Park embraces a landscape of woodland and heath, creek and river estuaries, the tranquil beauty of Swan Lake and the sweeping Cudmirrah and Monument beaches. The mild coastal climate and unspoiled natural environment ensure plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, birdwatching, picnicking, swimming and surfi ng.Indigenous people have used the area’s resources for at least 20 000 years and there are shell middens, scattered artefacts and rock shelters. Europeans have frequented the region since the early 1800s, for logging, fi shing and recreation, and roads and trails traverse the park. Monument Beach marks the wreck of the Scottish ship Walter Hood in 1870. Sandy beaches lapped by the Tasman Sea are one of the park’s biggest drawcards but the lakes and hinterland also have much to offer. The park is especially rich in plant life and almost 430 species have been identifi ed, including a wealth of fl owering plants and 35 native orchids. From spring to summer there are masses of wildfl owers and in winter banksias come into bloom. Swan Lake and the surrounding wetlands provide a habitat for waterbirds, in particular the graceful black swan. Elsewhere in the park are signifi cant habitats for the gang-gang cockatoo, glossy black-cockatoo, powerful owl and the hooded plover. You will fi nd picnic facilities at Fishermans Rock, Monument Beach and at the end of Goonawara Drive on the shores of Swan Lake. There are several walking tracks and it is possible to canoe and kayak in the park and along the coast. There is a range of accommodation nearby.

Fact file

Camping

No camping

Location and access

208 km south of Sydney; 6 km south of Sussex Inlet; park surrounds Cudmirrah (access via Goonawarra Dr) and Berrara (access to Fishermans Rock); access to Monument picnic area via Bendalong Rd then Cedar Rd; unsealed roads

Park Information

• NSWNPWS 1300 361 967
• NPWS Nowra (02) 4887 7270

Size

11 063 ha

Where to Stay

Sussex Inlet/Cudmirrah
(02) 1300 662 808

This content is from the publication:

Explore Australia’s National Parks

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