Mimosa Rocks National Park: The Complete Visitor’s Guide (2025)

Mimosa Rocks National Park is an unsung yet spectacular national park in the South Coast region of New South Wales. The national park offers a natural haven to visitors keen on bushwalking, beach hopping, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, kayaking, wildlife spotting, birdwatching and camping. Beautifully located on the Sapphire Coast, there are numerous headlands, beaches, lagoons, bushland, rainforest and historic sites to explore.

In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the stunning Mimosa Rocks National Park.

About Mimosa Rocks National Park

Mimosa Rocks National Park stretches approx. 20km along the breathtaking Sapphire Coast in the Far South Coast region of NSW. The national park covers an area of around 5,802 hectares.

In this area, you’ll find a diverse ecosystem of beaches, lagoons, sea caves, headlands, off-shore rock formations as well as bushland and coastal forest with ancient plants and endemic trees. Truly, it’s a gloriously remote and relatively untouched space, which is just perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Interestingly, the name of the park comes from a shipwreck, which occurred in 1863. The Paddle Steamer Mimosa crashed and sank when it ran into some rocks at Aragannu Beach. While we’re on the topic of rocks, the geological wonders on display in the national park are truly astonishing.

Essentially, the underlying geology of the national park is dominated by distinctive castle-like, highly folded and faulted sedimentary rocks. These rocks were deposited during the Ordovician period around 430–490 million years ago!

Now you know a little more about the national park, let’s look a little deeper into its history.

Mimosa Rocks National Park History

Mimosa Rocks National Park falls within the Traditional Country of the Yuin people. It’s thought that Aboriginal people have occupied the region for at least 25,000 years. At the very least, it’s confirmed that Aboriginal people have lived in the area for 6,000 years. There are major archeological remains of this occupation that are found in middens and open campsite deposits in the national park.

European settlement of the Bega Valley in the 1840s led to the displacement and cultural decline of the Aboriginal people in the area. Many of the descendants of the Yuin Nation now live in local towns in the South Coast region and on land owned by the Aboriginal community at Wallaga Lake.

Below, we’ll look at some details about the main flora and fauna in the national park. After that, we’ll look at exactly where the national park is located and the best things to do during a visit.

Mimosa Rocks National Park Flora

Highlighting the biodiversity of the area, there are two main types of vegetation in Mimosa Rocks National Park.

In the western part of the park, further inland, there are pockets of forest characterised by eucalypts and temperate rainforest. Whereas, closer to the coast, there are coastal estuarine communities, typified by unique plants and heathlands.

From the untrained eye of Beck and I, we certainly noticed a subtle difference between the flora in the western section of the park compared with the vegetation nearer the ocean.

Mimosa Rocks National Park Fauna

Mimosa Rocks National Park is well-known for its birdwatching and whale watching.

The estuaries, lagoons and wetlands in the national park are an important habitat for a range of waterbirds and marine life. While several headlands along the coastline provide exceptional vantage points for seeing migrating whales. Of course, you’ll also see the usual suspects in the national park with plenty of wallabies and kangaroos calling Mimosa Rocks National Park home.

Interestingly, there are a number of threatened species living in the national park. These include the sooty owl, golden-tipped bat and hooded plover. 

Where Is Mimosa Rocks National Park?

Mimosa Rocks National Park is located on the Sapphire Coast of NSW, Australia. It’s located between the coastal towns of Bermagui and Tathra. The national park falls within an area known as the South East Corner Bioregion and is around a six hour drive south of Sydney.

To help get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map of the national park.

Things to Do at Mimosa Rocks National Park

Genuinely, the sky is the limit when it comes to exciting things to do in Mimosa Rocks National Park. In particular, the national park is well-known for its surfing, snorkelling, kayaking, birdwatching, whale watching and mountain biking. There are numerous spots in the national park where you can enjoy these activities.

The most popular activities in the national park include bushwalking, visiting beaches and camping. With this in mind, we’re going to focus on the best walks, beaches and campsites in Mimosa Rocks National Park.

Mimosa Rocks National Park Walks

Mimosa Rocks National Park is home to many excellent walking trails. Below, we’ll talk about the five best walks to do in the national park.

Mimosa Rocks Walking Track

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 2km
• Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Aragunnu Campground
• Map: AllTrails

The Mimosa Rocks Walking Track is a short and easy walk, that’s also wheelchair accessible. From the Aragunnu Campground, you’ll initially follow a walking track that leads to a paved trail, before joining a scenic boardwalk.

Along the boardwalk, you’ll cross over the largest Aboriginal midden in the park. So, make sure to stick to the official trail! There are information boards that detail the significance and history of the artefact.

At the end of the boardwalk, you’ll see a large pyramid-shaped rock. This is where you can still see remnants of the previously mentioned shipwreck at low tide.

FYI – while you’re at the Aragunnu Campground, you can also do the Aragunnu Beach Walking Track. From the campground, you’ll follow a short trail leading you onto the gorgeous Aragunnu Beach.

Moon Bay Walking Track

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 500 metres
• Time: 10–15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Moon Bay Car Park
• Map: Google Maps

Moon Bay is easily one of the best beaches in Mimosa Rocks National Park. To access the beach, you’ll need to follow the Moon Bay Walking Track.

From the Moon Bay Car Park, which is also the trailhead for the Wajurda Point Walking Track, you’ll join the Moon Bay Walking Track. The short trail down to the beach is only 250 metres. So, you’ll arrive at the gorgeous beach in no time.

Given the ease of access from the Moon Bay Car Park, this is by far the most popular option for getting to Moon Bay. But, there is another option, if you don’t mind doing a longer walk.

Fords Walking Tack

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 5.2km
• Time: 1.5–2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Ray Whyman Reserve
• Map: Google Maps

From the Ray Whyman Reserve, north of the Mogareeka Inlet and Tathra Beach, it’s possible to walk to Moon Bay. This is the walk that Beck and I did to reach Moon Bay. The benefit of doing a longer walk is that you get to explore more of the captivating surrounding coastline.

In particular, by doing this walk, you’ll enjoy stellar views of the Mogareeka Inlet, which is where the Bega River meets the ocean. From the slightly elevated position on the Fords Walking Track, you’ll enjoy far-reaching views of the Bega River as well as Tathra Beach, which is located just south of the national park.

By following the Fords Walking Track, you’ll eventually arrive at the southern end of Moon Bay.

FYI – to shave around 1km off the walk, you can park at the end of Bay Drive in Mogareeka, which is where the Fords Walking Track officially begins.

Wajurda Point Walking Track

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 1km
• Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Moon Bay Car Park
• Map: AllTrails

Just north of Moon Bay, you’ll find the Wajurda Point Walking Track. It’s another short and easy walking track to enjoy in the national park. At the end of the walking track, you’ll arrive at the superb Wajurda Point Lookout, which provides fantastic views of Nelson Beach.

FYI – if you want to visit Nelson Beach, you can follow the Nelson Beach Walking Track. You’ll find this walking track, not too far from the Moon Bay Car Park, at the end of Nelson Beach Road.

Middle Lagoon Walking Track

• Type: Loop
• Distance: 1.9km
• Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Middle Beach Campground
• Map: AllTrails

The Middle Lagoon Walking Track is another excellent short walk to do in the national park. During this walk, you’ll wander along the majestic Middle Beach. You’ll then reach Middle Lagoon, which is a coastal lagoon with plenty of birdlife. After birdwatching at Middle Lagoon, you’ll complete the loop trail through the forest before arriving back at Middle Beach Campground.

Mimosa Rocks National Park Beaches

By doing the best walks in Mimosa Rocks National Park, you’ll naturally see and explore many of the park’s best beaches. For completeness, we’ll list all of the beaches in the national park with any important details about visiting.

• Aragunnu Beach: one of the most well-known beaches in the park as the famous shipwreck occurred nearby. The beach is easily accessible from the Aragunnu Campground.
• Bunga Beach, Bunga Beach South and Hidden Valley: relatively undiscovered isolated beaches at the northern end of the park reachable by walking tracks.
• Bithry Inlet: a beautiful inlet at the entrance of Wapengo Lake near Myer House. Given the calm waters, it’s great for snorkelling and fishing.
• Cowdroys Beach: a stunning 2km long sand beach that’s only accessible by 4WD.
• Gillards Beach: a superb golden sand beach that’s easily accessible from Gillards Campground.
• Middle Beach: yet another impressive beach with a great walking track that’s easily accessible from Middle Beach Campground.
• Moon Bay: our favourite beach in the national park easily accessed via the Moon Bay Walking Track. We liked this beach so much, that we even wrote a guide about visiting it.
• Picnic Beach: this is an exceptional golden sand beach featuring large volcanic rock ledges. It’s easily accessible from the Picnic Point Campground.

Mimosa Rocks National Park Camping

Mimosa Rocks National Park is known for having spectacular beachfront campgrounds. In the national park, you’ll find four brilliant campsites. These include the Aragunnu, Gillards Beach, Middle Beach and Picnic Point campgrounds.

Essentially, all of these campsites share a similar vibe within remote bushland near a walking track to a beach. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing and observing the clear starry sky is certainly a great way to enjoy the natural delights of the national park.

Bear in mind, that all four campsites have toilets and campfire rings, but none of them have showers. 

Each campground has camper trailer sites and allows camping by vehicle except for Middle Beach Campground. With this in mind, each campground is easily accessible from its associated nearby car park. Although Middle Beach Campground is technically a walk-in campground, the car park is only around 80 metres away from the campsite.

All campgrounds have BBQ facilities except Middle Beach Campground.

Click on the image below to access an interactive map showing the location of each campground.

Aragunnu Campground

Alongside Gillards Campground, Aragunnu Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Mimosa Rocks National Park. With 31 campsites, conveniently located near Aragunnu Beach, there’s no wonder why it’s a popular place to camp.

Why choose Aragunnu Campground? Aragunnu Beach is particularly good for fishing and there are several great walking tracks in the area.

Search for availability and make a booking here.

Location: Google Maps

Gillards Campground

With 40 campsites, Gillards Campground is the biggest campsite in the national park. Given its close proximity to Gillards Beach, it’s a popular campground that can get quite busy in summer.

Why choose Gillards Campground? Gillards Beach is known for its excellent surfing, fishing and walking. On top of that, the campsite has several picnic tables, so it’s a great place to set up for alfresco dining.

Search for availability and make a booking here.

Location: Google Maps

Middle Beach Campground

As mentioned, Middle Beach Campground is the only walk-in campground in the national park. With 8 tent-only pitches, Middle Beach Campground offers an even more remote and removed experience.

Why choose Middle Beach Campground? You’ll enjoy a quieter camping experience. Plus, the nearby Middle Lagoon provides excellent birdwatching, kayaking and canoeing opportunities.

Search for availability and make a booking here.

Location: Google Maps

Picnic Point Campground

With 17 campsites nestled beside golden sand beaches, Picnic Point Campground is another stellar place to camp. As expected, there are lovely picnic areas to enjoy, that are located near the beach.

Why choose Picnic Point Campground? Picnic Point Beach doesn’t get as busy as Aragunnu or Gillards Beach. So, the Picnic Point Campground is a prime location for enjoying a less crowded beach experience.

Search for availability and make a booking here.

Location: Google Maps

Accommodation: Myer House

Myer House is the only Mimosa Rocks National Park accommodation option that isn’t a campground. It’s a boutique self-contained accommodation set on Bithry Inlet near Wapengo Lake. If you don’t want to camp, but you want to stay in the national park, Myer House is a great option. The historic accommodation has all the necessary facilities and amenities and is ideal for groups.

Search for availability and make a booking here.

Location: Google Maps

Where to Stay Nearby

Many people visit Mimosa Rocks National Park on a day trip from either Tathra or Bermagui. The national park is conveniently positioned in between these two lovely coastal towns. So, it’s more than reasonable to stay in either Bermagui or Tathra and visit from there. Both Bermagui and Tathra have dreamy accommodation options by the coast.

Things to Know Before You Go

Before you visit Mimosa Rocks National Park, there are a few useful things to know. Most of the roads in the national park are unsealed dirt tracks. Although most of these roads are deemed 2WD accessible, this doesn’t mean the roads are in great condition. Personally, Beck and I managed reasonably well with a 2WD. But, we did have to drive slowly, carefully and vigilantly around potholes and bumps.

You’ll be happy to know that this is a fee-free national park. So, you’ll only have to pay fees beforehand if you book one of the campsites.

Additionally, like all NSW National Parks, Mimosa Rocks National Park doesn’t allow dogs or pets.

Of course, the national park or areas within the park can close for various reasons without much notice. Before you visit, check the local alerts on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website. That way, you’ll know about any closures and you can then plan your trip accordingly.

Accessibility at Mimosa Rocks National Park

The Mimosa Rocks Walking Track is a wheelchair-accessible track. Additionally, Myer House caters for those who are mobility impaired with some accessibility features.

Things to Do Near Mimosa Rocks National Park

There are plenty of great things to do near Mimosa Rocks National Park.

North of the park, in Bermagui, you should check out the sensational Bermagui Blue Pool, Camel Rock or Horse Head Rock.

South of the park, in Tathra, you should check out Tathra Beach and Kianinny Bay.

Otherwise, if you’re happy to travel a little further away, you could head further south to check out the gorgeous coastal town of Merimbula. From there, you could go to Tura Beach or go slightly inland to chase Nethercote Falls.

Read about the Beowa (formerly Ben Boyd) National Park

How to Get to Mimosa Rocks National Park

The only way to get to Mimosa Rocks National Park is to drive there as there is no public transport access. If you don’t have a car, we recommend hiring one for the day or for your South Coast NSW road trip.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Travel Essentials

Here are our gear essentials, especially if you plan on bushwalking in the national park.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Please leave us a comment below.

We acknowledge and respect the First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land/water that we visited and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.