22 TATHRA - SAPPHIRE COAST - SUMMER 2024 Tathra is located in one of the last great coastal wilderness areas of Australia, fringed by national park north and south, and surrounded by coastal forests, pristine estuaries and secluded beaches. Tathra lies within the traditional Country of the Guyangai Tadjera Djiringanj Munji Yuin people, who have lived-in and cared for the region for many thousands of years. It is believed that the name 'Tathra' is based on the traditional Aboriginal word for the area 'Titra', meaning place of the Quoll. The three mountains that dominate the ancient landscape here – mounts Biamanga, Gulaga and Balawan – each have special spiritual significance for the Yuin people. Park yourself here Tathra is roughly bordered north and south by national parks. Bournda National Park is only about 12 kilometres south of the township, while Mimosa Rocks National Park is just 10 kilometres to the north. Both national parks are natural playgrounds for bushwalking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, surfing, swimming and birdwatching. The forests in the parks are home to an array of native wildlife, including kangaroos, swamp wallabies, potoroos, bandicoots, gliders and other marsupials. There is also a small population of koalas in the forests between Tathra and Bermagui. Magnificent goannas, blue-tongue lizards and snakes are part of the ecosystem, as are kookaburras and lyrebirds. Sea eagles soar along the coast, adding to the drama of the wild and spectacular coastline. Bournda National Park If you're looking to get away from the summer-holiday crowds, this is an ideal place to do it. For example, if you drive to the park's Turingal Head, then wander down to Wine Glass Bay, you can have a lovely afternoon picnic on a pristine beach, usually with no (or very few) other people around. Walking along the park's Kangarutha track, you'll discover secluded beaches and spectacular cliffs along the rugged coastline. If you're looking to camp in the Bournda NP, Hobart Beach is a good choice, with excellent camping facilities and lots of activities to keep the kids entertained, such as splashing or swimming in the calm waters of Wallagoot Lake, scouring the nearby coastline, walking the trail to Bondi Lake, or heading off to explore on your bikes. If you love sailing, water-skiing or just some gentle paddling, it's worthing checking out the northern shores of Wallagoot Lake as well. And, of course, the waterways of Bournda NP offer fantastic fishing and birdwatching opportunities, too. Mimosa Rocks National Park Mimosa Rocks NP is an excellent location for a camping holiday, with spectacular headland views, wide sandy beaches, pockets of rainforest, crystal-clear lagoons, lookouts, and historic sites to explore. The park takes its name from the paddle steamer 'Mimosa', which was wrecked in 1863 after running onto rocks at the northern end of the park. The rocks of Mimosa NP have distinctive castle-like features that are the result of intricate folds, faults and intrusions occurring in the rock. For a view you'll never forget, head to Bunga Head for sunrise, when the rocks look magnificent backed by the pinks of the early morning sky. You'll also find plenty of opportunities for fishing, surfing, snorkelling and birdwatching throughout the park, and there are excellent picnic areas too. There are a number of campgrounds to choose from, including sites that provide motorhome and camper-trailer access. Find out more For more info, go to nationalparks.nsw.gov.au, click on 'Visit a Park' in the main menu, and follow the prompts. Get back to nature in Tathra’s wonderful national parks Pictured clockwise from top: Canoeing on Bournda Lagoon at Bournda NP. Photo: Daniel Tran/DPIE Couple enjoying a morning walk along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks NP. Photo: Destination NSW Beach views across to Wallagoot Lake in Bournda NP. Photo: Destination NSW The distinctive coastal rock formations of Mimosa Rocks NP. Photo: Andrew Brown/Destination NSW
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