Giriwa walking track

Meroo National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

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.

Distance
3km one-way
Time suggested
1 - 2hrs
Grade
Grade 3
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, snacks, insect repellent
Please note
  • Giriwa walking track can be walked in either direction. A car shuffle is recommended if you have small children.
  • The Gari walking track extension to Burrill Lake Rock Shelter is managed by Shoalhaven City Council.

Located 10min from Ulladulla, or 35min from Batemans Bay, Giriwa walking track offers rich Aboriginal heritage, magnificent lake views, and great water activities.

Starting at Burrill Lake East picnic area, at the end of Burrill Lake Drive, the 3km track traces the southern shore of the lake to Western Arm picnic area. ‘Giriwa’ means goanna, and you may see the track’s namesake, or spot honeyeaters and crimson rosellas amongst the tallowwood and flowering black wattle.

Signs along the track highlight more than 20,000 years of continuous Aboriginal culture in this area. As you walk, learn about the strong Aboriginal connection to this land. Find out about bush medicines, or food like the edible native cherry, and cabbage tree palms which provide basket weaving material.

With picnic areas at each end of the walk, why not stop for a picnic on the lakeshore, or cool off with a swim. Burrill Lake is also a scenic spot to kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or go fishing.

This track is part of the longer Giriwa Bagan ‘goanna country’ walking trail, which includes Gari walking track. ‘Gari’ means snake, and this 1km extension snakes from the lake’s East picnic area to a fascinating Aboriginal rock shelter.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

On the way

  • Sunlight reflects off the lake surface as 2 people unload their car at the parking area for Burrill Lake East picnic area. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk/DPIE

    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.

  • Group of 4 people at a picnic table in bushland setting next to Burrill Lake. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk/DPIE

    Burrill Lake Western Arm picnic area

    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.

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/walking-tracks/giriwa-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

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.

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Giriwa walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

3km one-way

Time

1 - 2hrs

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Gentle hills

Steps

Occasional steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

Giriwa walking track is in the northern area of Meroo National Park. To get there:

From Ulladulla:

  • Drive south on the Princes Highway and continue through Burrill Lake Village.
  • Around 1.5km after crossing the bridge, turn right on to Romney Park Road.
  • Follow the signs to Burrill Lake’s East picnic area or Western Arm picnic area, along Lake Road and Burrill Lake Drive.
  • You can also take Wheelbarrow Road off the highway, then right on to Lake Road.

From Batemans Bay:

  • Head north on the Princes Highway for around 47km.
  • Before you reach Burrill Lake, turn left on to Wheelbarrow Road.
  • Turn right onto Lake Road after about 1km, then follow the signs to the Burrill Lake’s East picnic area or Western Arm picnic area.
  • You can also take Romney Park Road off the highway, then right on to Lake Road.

Road quality

  • The unsealed roads to the East picnic area, and in particular to Western Arm picnic area, are not suitable for vehicles with trailers. 4WD vehicles are recommended.
  • 2WD vehicles with low clearance should use caution even in dry weather. 
  • Please take care when turning on to Romney Park Road or Wheelbarrow Road from the busy Princes Highway. Directional signage is not provided from the highway.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • Most roads require 4WD vehicle

Weather restrictions

  • 4WD required in wet weather

Parking

Limited parking is available at Burrill Lake’s East picnic area and Western Arm picnic area.

Facilities

  • The nearest public toilets are located at Burrill Lake Lions Park, off Princes Highway, south of the bridge in Burrill Lake Village.
  • You’ll find picnic tables at the East and Western Arm picnic areas, at either end of the walk.

Carpark

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Permitted

Fishing

A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

Prohibited

  • Cycling and horse riding are not permitted on this walking track, but are permitted on public roads and some management trails within Meroo National Park.
  • Camping, campfires and generators are not permitted at the East or Western day use areas.

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

Giriwa walking track is in Meroo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Amazing wildlife haven

Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), Meroo National Park. Photo: M Makeham

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

Meroo Lake, Meroo Lake National Park. Photo: Michael van Ewijk

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 Lake, Meroo National Park. Photo: M Jarman

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

  • A tiny green and golden bell frog sits on a green strawberry plant leaf. Photo: Stuart Cohen © Stuart Cohen and DCCEEW

    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.

  • Humpback whale breaching. Photo: Dan Burns

    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.

  • White-bellied sea eagle. Photo: John Turbill

    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.

Education resources (1)