Burrill Lake Western Arm picnic area
Meroo National Park
Overview
Burrill Lake Western Arm picnic area is in Meroo National Park, on Giriwa walking track. It’s the perfect spot for a waterside picnic, or paddle in the lake before a walk.
Nearby
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Giriwa walking track
Discover Aboriginal cultural heritage along Giriwa walking track, in Meroo National Park. Enjoy the natural beauty of Burrill Lake, near Ulladulla, then stop for a picnic, swim or kayak.
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Burrill Lake East picnic area
Burrill Lake East picnic area is in Meroo National Park, on Giriwa walking track. It’s a great place to stop for snack, cool off with a swim, or set out in a kayak on Burrill Lake.
These maps give a basic overview of park attractions and facilities, and may not be detailed enough for some activities. We recommend that you buy a topographic map before you go exploring.
Map
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Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/burrill-lake-western-arm-picnic-area/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Meroo National Park in the South Coast region
Meroo National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Burrill Lake Western Arm picnic area.
Maps and downloads
Learn more
Burrill Lake Western Arm picnic area is in Meroo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Amazing wildlife haven
Meroo and Termeil Lakes are listed in the National Directory of Important Australian Wetlands and stand out for their abundance and diversity of mammals and frogs. The park also has at least 12 threatened wildlife species, including significant populations of the nationally endangered green and golden bell frog. As you explore the coastline keep a lookout to spot dolphins and whales off the coast. Thee's also excellent opportunities for birdwatching at Meroo. You'll see ducks, swans, pelicans, honeyeaters, superb blue wrens and pied oystercatchers. You might also spot sea eagles or an osprey soaring overhead. And if you're really lucky, you might even see a pair of hooded plover. There are less than 25 pairs known to occur in NSW, and the Meroo, Termeil and Willinga Lake entrances are prime breeding habitats for this vulnerable species.
- Meroo Lake walking track Wrap yourself in the tranquillity of calm coastal waters at Meroo Lake walking track. Enjoy paddling, swimming, fishing, birdwatching and walking in a pristine natural landscape.
- Tabourie Lake Tabourie Lake is a beautiful coastal lake ideal for fishing, paddling, windsurfing, swimming, walking and birdwatching.
Pristine natural landscapes
The coastal lakes, foreshores and wetlands you'll find in Meroo are outstanding examples of pristine natural environments. Only 10% of NSW estuaries remain in such a natural condition. This unspoilt landscape supports endangered ecological communities like the swamp oak floodplain forest and bangalay-banksia dry forest and helps to protect vulnerable plant species such as the tangled bedstraw and leafless tongue orchid.
- Meroo Head lookout walking track You can’t miss the spectacular coastal views from Meroo Head lookout walking track. It’s an easy walking track and a great place for birdwatching and whale watching.
- Nuggan Point walking track Go walking or mountain biking on this easy trail. Enjoy breathtaking coastal views, fishing, whale watching and birdwatching at Nuggan Point, then stop at Meroo Beach for a swim.
Rich Aboriginal culture
Meroo National Park forms part of the traditional lands of the Budawang and Murramarang tribes, who are part of the Dhurga language group. Meroo Lake has important spiritual significance for local Aboriginal groups because, along with other lakes in the region, it is connected to the Pigeon House Didthul creation stories that connect them with their country and ancestor spirits. The park is rich with archaeological sites including shell middens, open campsites, artefact scatters, stone arrangements, rock shelters and a burial site.
- Giriwa walking track Discover Aboriginal cultural heritage along Giriwa walking track, in Meroo National Park. Enjoy the natural beauty of Burrill Lake, near Ulladulla, then stop for a picnic, swim or kayak.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)
The green and golden bell frog is an endangered Australian frog. Once common on the NSW coast and tablelands, populations have plummeted around 90 percent.
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Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
The humpback whale has the longest migratory path of any mammal, travelling over 5000km from its summer feeding grounds in Antarctica to its breeding grounds in the subtropics. Its playful antics, such as body-rolling, breaching and pectoral slapping, are a spectacular sight for whale watchers in NSW national parks.
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White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.