Murramarang

Murramarang National Park is a popular coastal park on the south coast of New South Wales, stretching along approximately 40 kilometres of coastline between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla. Covering approximately 11,979 hectares, the park protects a diverse mosaic of coastal habitats including rocky headlands, sandy beaches, coastal lagoons, wallum heath, and dry sclerophyll forest. The park is renowned for its eastern grey kangaroos that congregate on the beaches, particularly at Pebbly Beach, providing one of Australia's most memorable wildlife encounters. The park's accessible beaches and camping areas make it one of the most popular national parks on the south coast.

Murramarang National Park is justifiably famous for its wildlife. Eastern grey kangaroos regularly congregate on the beaches, particularly Pebbly Beach and Depot Beach, providing extraordinary close encounters for visitors. Swamp wallabies and red-necked wallabies also use the beach environs. Eastern rosellas, crimson rosellas, and king parrots are extremely tame at camping areas. Yellow-tailed black-cockatoos feed in the forest. The park's lagoons attract diverse waterbirds. Sea eagles, ospreys, and dolphins are regularly observed offshore.

Wallum heath with banksias, hakeas, and diverse wildflowers dominates the sandy coastal ridges. Dry sclerophyll forest with red bloodwood, scribbly gum, and smooth-barked apple covers the middle slopes. Paperbark wetlands and lagoon margins support swamp vegetation. The coastal cliffs support salt-tolerant scrub. Spring wildflower displays in the heath are outstanding, with diverse native orchid species and spectacular heathland flowering.

Murramarang National Park is underlain by Devonian and Silurian granite and metamorphic rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt, exposed as the rocky headlands and platforms that characterise the park's coastline. Quaternary coastal deposits form the beaches and dune systems. The coastal lagoons are drowned river valleys. The rocky platforms provide excellent rockpool habitat.

The park has a temperate coastal climate moderated by the Tasman Sea. Annual rainfall is approximately 900 to 1,100 millimetres. Summers are warm, typically 22 to 26°C. Winters are mild. Spring and autumn are ideal visiting times with comfortable temperatures.

The Yuin people are the traditional custodians of the south coast, with the coastal lagoons and headlands providing rich marine and terrestrial resources. European settlers established farming communities in the surrounding valleys, and fishing and grazing occurred in areas of the current park.

Murramarang National Park was gazetted progressively, with additions over several decades. The park's establishment preserved a significant stretch of the south coast from development pressure. The congregation of kangaroos on the beaches has made Pebbly Beach one of Australia's most iconic wildlife encounters.

Pebbly Beach, with its resident kangaroos, is the park's iconic attraction. Depot Beach provides excellent camping and beach access. The Aboriginal Discovery Walk provides cultural interpretation. Snorkelling at Durras Lake and swimming at the park's beaches are popular. Walking tracks connect the headlands and beaches.

Murramarang has well-developed camping areas at Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach, and Durras North with varying facilities including amenities blocks and fireplaces. The park is approximately 260 kilometres south of Sydney via the Princes Highway through Bateman's Bay. A national parks pass applies.

Managing visitor impact on the kangaroo population is a priority — feeding kangaroos is prohibited as it compromises their health. Bitou bush control is ongoing on the coastal headlands and dunes. Managing camping impacts on the sensitive coastal vegetation requires careful site management.