Why should you visit Bouddi National Park?-Central Coast

The spectacular coastal reserve, Bouddi National Park, is on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia. The park covers an area of 1,532 hectares, and part of it ends in the Tasman Sea. This extension is responsible for creating fully protected habitats. Land, shore and sea are connected to each other. Fletchers Glen is one of the last temperate rainforests on the entire Central Coast and it is part of Bouddi National Park. As a visitor, you’ll find several great walks, as well as opportunities for camping, swimming and fishing in designated areas.

Did you know?

Bouddi is actually an indigenous word for the heart.

A bit of history

The park was named Bouddi National Park on 5 July 1936. The park trust which managed the reserve at the time had previously been founded in 1935. It had representation from the NSW Federation of Bushwalking Clubs and the Erina Shire Council.

In 1967, the National Park occupied only a third of the space it covers today. It was then dedicated as a national park after legislation was passed. It became Bouddi State Park. The management of the park was carried out by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

On 1 January 1974, after an act of Parliament, the park was renamed Bouddi National Park.

What sort of plants or animals are in Bouddi National Park?

Animals

Bouddi National Park contains a wide variety of animals. It houses 49 mammal species like greater gliders and other marsupials, 30 reptile species like lace monitors, green tree snakes and water dragons. The Park is home to 135 bird species such as the Superb Fairy-wren or the White-bellied Sea-Eagle.

Certain large mammals regularly frequent the area, including humpback whales, southern right whales and bottlenose dolphins. Leopard seals and fur seals have also occasionally been seen too.

Plants

Bouddi National Park is home to over 600 plant species within 22 vegetation communities. The vegetation includes saltmarsh, woodland, shrubland, rainforest, among others.

When should you visit Bouddi National Park?

Bouddi National Park has a lot to offer, and visitors have a lot to see. So, depending on the season, you’ll definitely get to enjoy certain areas of the park more than you would in other environmental and climatic conditions.

In spring, you’ll want to enjoy the sight of the colourful wildflowers on display. The best way to see them is to take the Bouddi Coastal Walk.

In summer, you’ll be able to cool off at one of the park’s beaches. Maitland Bay Surf, a popular coastline, is a great spot to try snorkelling.

In winter, humpback whales migrate north. So if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot them from the beaches and even take a picture.

What can you do in Bouddi National Park?

You can choose from a variety of activities: camping, bushwalking, swimming, snorkelling, picnicking and mountain bike riding. In terms of popularity, you’ll find the following sites and tracks to be the most popular in their activity type.

Mountain Bike Riding – Bouddi Ridge Explorer

Being 10 km long, it is the longest mountain biking trail in the park. It combines some of the other park trails. While certain sections are easy going, the others can be undulating or even steep. It takes around 4 hours to complete.

Bushwalking – Maitland Bay track

It’s one of Bouddi National Park’s most popular bushwalk. It is a short and steep walking track, about 2km return, which ends in Maitland Bay. There you can swim or simply dip your feet in the water. The track takes between 15 to 45 minutes to complete depending on your speed and fitness.

Picnicking – Lobster Beach

Lobster Beach is a very nice and quiet spot for a nice picnic, for swimming, snorkelling, fishing, birdwatching and even boating in the area. The park does not provide gears and binoculars, so you’ll need to bring your own. If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins or sea eagles.

Camping – Little Beach Campground

This campground is the best camping site if you’re a surfer or a nature-lover. It is equipped with barbecues and toilets, but otherwise, you’re on your own. To surf, you’ll need to bring your own surfboard.