Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens, formerly known as Jervis Bay National Park and Jervis Bay Botanic Gardens, are located in the Jervis Bay Territory of Australia. The reserve has two sections.

In 1971, the area was established as a nature reserve. In 1992, Jervis Bay National Park was officially declared. The local Aboriginal community was given two seats on the park's management board but refused them as part of a protest about land rights.

In 1995, the park was transferred to the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. At this time, the park's name was changed to "Booderee," which means "bay of plenty" or "plenty of fish" in the Dhurga language. This name was chosen by the local Aboriginal community. Today, the park is co-managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and Parks Australia.

History

In 1995, the park was given to the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, and its name was changed to "Booderee." The name, which means "bay of plenty" or "plenty of fish" in the Dhurga language, was selected by the local Aboriginal people. Today, the park is managed together with Parks Australia. In 2010, the park received an international award in the Virgin Holidays' Responsible Tourism Awards.

The lighthouse was built during the 19th century because many ships wrecked nearby. However, the lighthouse was built in the wrong location and became a danger for ships traveling in the area.

Description

The park is protected by Indigenous people.

The reserve has two parts:

• The Bherwerre Peninsula, which is on the southern coast of Jervis Bay;
• The lands that lie to the south of Wreck Bay.

There are many kilometers of walking trails.

Park highlights

Cave Beach, with its untouched beaches and many types of plants and animals, is a popular place for tourists. The park is located near the cities of Sydney and Canberra, about three hours away. The sea cliffs in the park are the tallest in New South Wales and among the tallest along Australia's east coast, reaching a height of 130 meters at Steamers Head.

The Cape St George Lighthouse ruin is the most important European heritage site in the park. It was added to the Register of the National Estate in 1981.

Greenpatch Beach is a well-known spot and is said to have the whitest sand in the world. The park also has many surf breaks along its ocean sides, with South Coast Pipe being one of the most famous.

Although visitors cannot reach it directly, a small penguin nesting area exists on Bowen Island.

Murray's Beach is located just west of the southern headland, facing Bowen Island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the park.

Gallery

• January 2005
• Area showing regrowth after a fire, March 2019
• Greenpatch
• Wetland
• View of Murrays Beach looking east, with Bowen Island in the center