Full day itinerary

Take a bit more time to savour your day. Learn more about our plants and wildlife and visit a ruined lighthouse.

Visitor Centre

Start at the Booderee Visitor Centre car park where there are enthusiastic staff ready to provide helpful information on things to do and see in the park.

Then drive from the Visitors Centre to Murrays Beach car park (5 minutes).

Australia’s only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens

Take a walk in the botanic gardens.

Clearly marked paths allow you to explore the gardens at your leisure. The cultivated areas of the gardens showcase the beauty of south eastern Australia’s native plants. Don’t miss the trail around Lake McKenzie, a natural freshwater wetland.

Then drive from the botanic gardens to Green Patch (10 minutes).

Green Patch

Green Patch has amenities and free electric BBQs, making it a great place for a picnic lunch. A five minute walk from the car park is Green Patch beach, where you can swim and enjoy scenic views over Jervis Bay.

Green Patch is a great place for birdwatching, with crimson rosellas, kookaburras, king parrots and wood ducks all regular visitors. Paths allow kids to ride their bikes around the Green Patch park and down to the beach.

Then drive from Green Patch to the Cape St George Lighthouse (15 minutes).

Cape St George Lighthouse

The Cape St George Lighthouse was built in 1860 – tragically, in the wrong place. A new lighthouse was built in 1889 at Point Perpendicular. The two lighthouses confused ships travelling during the day and so Cape St George was demolished by the Australian Navy in 1922.

Many people believe the lighthouse is cursed because of the shipwrecks it caused and because tragic incidents struck some families who lived there.

The Cape St George Lighthouse can be viewed from a platform that is accessed by a short walking trail. This site also offers excellent views of the coastal cliffs to Bowen Island and is the best place for whale watching.

Full day itinerary 2 – something for adventure seekers

For those who like to hike, swim and snorkel, this itinerary is tailor-made for you.

Visitor Centre

Start at the Booderee Visitor Centre for helpful information on things to do and see in the park.

Then drive from the Visitors Centre to Steamers Beach car park (10 minutes).

Steamers Beach

Steamers Beach is a magnificent, isolated beach flanked by high cliffs and backed by steep sand dunes. The trail takes you through tall eucalypt forest and tea tree towards the coast. It finishes with a steep flight of stairs.

Then drive from the Steamers Beach car park to Iluka (15 minutes).

Iluka

Iluka is a great place for a picnic lunch with free BBQs provided. Walk along the beach to Green Patch and discover the varied marine and bird life of Booderee National Park.

Then drive from Iluka to Murrays Beach (5 minutes).

Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach offers a variety of activities. Crystal-clear blue water and white sand makes it a beautiful place to swim or just relax. Near the rock platform is a great place to snorkel and discover Booderee’s large variety of marine life.

Walk on to Governor’s Head lookout for magnificent views and the chance of seeing a whale during the migration seasons.