Turingal Head picnic area
Bournda National Park
Overview
Make your way to Turingal Head picnic area for a fun-filled day full of swimming, fishing, stunning scenery and amazing birdlife.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Bournda National Park in South Coast
- Accessibility
- Hard
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- There is limited mobile reception in this park.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to bird/whale watch.
Nestled among the red gums and giant honey myrtle, Turingal Head picnic area is a tranquil setting for a relaxing picnic near the glistening waters of Wallagoot Lake and Wine Glass Bay.
Sit back and enjoy this peaceful spot from one of the many sheltered nooks or picnic shelters. Wander down to the wetlands around the mouth of the Wallagoot Lake for some colourful birdwatching.
You could take the short 200m walk to Wine Glass Bay, where you’ll encounter spectacular views. Continue another 100m to the ocean beach where you can enjoy a refreshing swim or a peaceful afternoon of beach fishing. If you’re feeling energetic, why not explore the southern part of the Kangarutha walking track?
Map
Map legend
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/turingal-head-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 Bournda National Park in the South Coast region
Bournda National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. This park uses a self-registration fee collection system, please bring correct change.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Turingal Head picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Turingal Head is in the northern precinct of Bournda National Park. To get there:
- Take the Sapphire Coast Drive from Tathra or Merimbula
- Turn into Wallagoot Lake Road and follow this through past the boat club for another 2km to the end at Turingal Head carpark
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Turingal Head picnic area. Please note that this is paid parking. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Bournda National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
As the weather cools but the waters are still warm, it's a great time to enjoy the Kangarutha walking track. Swim along the way at secluded beaches. It will feel like you have the place to yourself.
Spring
Enjoy the colours of wildflowers and the take in the smells of spring as the park comes alive. Head to the lookout at North Tura, find a sunny spot and look out for whales passing in the distance.
Summer
Discover the water activities on offer. Paddling at Bournda Lagoon, sailing on Wallagoot Lake, fishing at Wine Glass Bay or surfing and swimming at any one of the secluded beaches.
Facilities
- There is limited water available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
- Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park.
- You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
- Viewing platform at top of Wine Glass Bay
- Toilet at the carpark
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Turingal Head picnic area is in Bournda National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Birdwatchers haven
With around 200 species of birds in the area, Bournda is a birdwatcher's paradise. The estuarine wetlands at the eastern end of Wallagoot Lake provide roosting and feeding areas for a large variety of waders and waterfowl. Keep your eyes out for threatened species like the little tern, hooded plover and pied oystercatcher. Bondi Lake is the largest freshwater lake situated behind coastal dunes in the region, and is another important habitat for waterbirds.
- Bournda Lagoon Bournda Lagoon is an ideal spot within Bournda National Park, near North Tura, where kids can swim, fish and go paddling and picnic among the paper barks.
- Kangarutha walking track Kangarutha walking track, in Bournda National Park, is a hiking route with scenic coastal views and birdwatching, picnicking and swimming opportunities along the way.
- Sandy Creek loop track Taking in Bournda Lagoon, Sandy Creek and pockets of dry sclerophyll forest, Sandy Creek loop track is a hike in Bournda National Park on the far South Coast.
Get active
With so much to do, there's no excuse not to get active in Bournda. The beaches and waterways offer a range of options for watersport enthusiasts - waterskiing, boating, paddling, sail boarding, fishing, swimming and surfing. The coastal walk is perfect for hikers and those hoping to spot migrating whales. And for cyclists, the roads throughout the park are an extensive network to navigate on your bike.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 3 Geography excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, Living Culture – a Stage 2 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
Ships ahoy
There's plenty of fascinating heritage in Bournda, dating back to the 1830s when European settlement of the district began. Today, you can still see anchor bolts at Kangarutha Point, which was established as a port with Kianinny Bay in 1859. It's also believed the existing track to the point, and parts of the coastal walk, were once used to supply ships anchored there, and transport produce and passengers. Some building remains can also be found around Games Bay, which was cleared for dairy farming by settler Mr Games.
The land of generations
Bournda has been a special place for the Dhurga and Yuin people for thousands of years, with its plentiful food supply and quarry for making tools. As you explore the park and its wildlife, it'll be no surprise that 'Bournda' means 'place of tea tree and kangaroos'.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 3 Geography excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, Living Culture – a Stage 2 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Traditional weaving workshop: Bournda Get creative on a traditional weaving workshop in Bournda National Park, near Bega and Merimbula. Learn Aboriginal weaving techniques and see how these ancient skills carry a strong connection to Aboriginal culture.