Situated on the South Coast of NSW, Batemans Marine Park is a beautiful marine protected area. Covering approximately 850 km², it includes offshore islands like Tollgate Islands and Barunguba Montague Island and stretches from Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point in the north, to Wallaga Lake entrance at Murunna Point, further south.
What Makes It So Special
Protecting sandy beaches, estuaries, rocky reefs the and open waters of the region, it protects the life within its boundaries. This includes kelp beds, seagrasses, mangroves as well as sponge gardens.
It also protects the marine life within, including dolphins, seals, sharks and rays. Deeper water species like kingfish, albacore and yellowfin tuna are also protected here. The beautiful Montague Island is particularly famous for the little penguin colony and the fur seals that live there.
Activities in the Conservation Zone
Safeguarding the marine biodiversity, while allowing activities like recreational fishing, scuba diving, kayaking and snorkeling. The park’s fishing regulations have evolved over time, with some sanctuary zones remaining closed to fishing, while others allow shore-based recreational line fishing.
Activities in the Park
Batemans Marine Park offers a variety of recreational and educational activities:
Water Activities: Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and whale and dolphin watching are popular. Visitors can also snorkel with seals at Montague Island.
Fishing: Recreational fishing is allowed in designated zones, while commercial trawling and dredging are prohibited to protect biodiversity.
Exploration: The park features pristine beaches, walking trails, and opportunities to explore nearby national parks like Murramarang.
Biodiversity
Habitats: The park is home to diverse marine habitats, including rocky reefs, kelp beds, seagrasses, mangroves, sponge gardens, sandy beaches, estuaries, and open waters.
Marine Life: It supports a wide variety of marine species, such as morwong, trevally, snapper, kingfish, albacore, yellowfin tuna, dolphins, seals, sharks, and rays. Montague Island (Baranguba), located within the park, is a breeding ground for seabirds and the Little Penguin, and is visited by New Zealand and Australian fur seals.
Cultural Significance: The park lies within the traditional lands of the Yuin people, who maintain a strong connection to the sea country.
Further Information
Visitor centers in Narooma, Batemans Bay, and Ulladulla provide information about the park and surrounding attractions.
Batemans Marine Park. Kioloa Beach and Belowla Island. Photo: S Oost
Next: Kangaroos at Pebbly Beach
Batemans Marine Park, NSW South Coast
Visit Batemans Marine Park
Situated on the South Coast of NSW, Batemans Marine Park is a beautiful marine protected area. Covering approximately 850 km², it includes offshore islands like Tollgate Islands and Barunguba Montague Island and stretches from Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point in the north, to Wallaga Lake entrance at Murunna Point, further south.
What Makes It So Special
Protecting sandy beaches, estuaries, rocky reefs the and open waters of the region, it protects the life within its boundaries. This includes kelp beds, seagrasses, mangroves as well as sponge gardens.
It also protects the marine life within, including dolphins, seals, sharks and rays. Deeper water species like kingfish, albacore and yellowfin tuna are also protected here. The beautiful Montague Island is particularly famous for the little penguin colony and the fur seals that live there.
Activities in the Conservation Zone
Safeguarding the marine biodiversity, while allowing activities like recreational fishing, scuba diving, kayaking and snorkeling. The park’s fishing regulations have evolved over time, with some sanctuary zones remaining closed to fishing, while others allow shore-based recreational line fishing.
Activities in the Park
Batemans Marine Park offers a variety of recreational and educational activities:
Water Activities: Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and whale and dolphin watching are popular. Visitors can also snorkel with seals at Montague Island.
Fishing: Recreational fishing is allowed in designated zones, while commercial trawling and dredging are prohibited to protect biodiversity.
Exploration: The park features pristine beaches, walking trails, and opportunities to explore nearby national parks like Murramarang.
Biodiversity
Habitats: The park is home to diverse marine habitats, including rocky reefs, kelp beds, seagrasses, mangroves, sponge gardens, sandy beaches, estuaries, and open waters.
Marine Life: It supports a wide variety of marine species, such as morwong, trevally, snapper, kingfish, albacore, yellowfin tuna, dolphins, seals, sharks, and rays. Montague Island (Baranguba), located within the park, is a breeding ground for seabirds and the Little Penguin, and is visited by New Zealand and Australian fur seals.
Cultural Significance: The park lies within the traditional lands of the Yuin people, who maintain a strong connection to the sea country.
Further Information
Visitor centers in Narooma, Batemans Bay, and Ulladulla provide information about the park and surrounding attractions.
National Park: Batemans Marine Park
Murramarang Beach
Beaches of the South Coast
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Topic: Shoalhaven Places
Main Photo: Batemans Marine Park. Kioloa Beach and Belowla Island. Photo: S Oost