Safety and caring for the park
Quick links
Feeding the animals
Fire
Sharks
Staying safe
Emergency numbers
Watch out for bluebottles that have been washed ashore. If you are stung, soak the area in vinegar to neutralise.
Photo: Kaptain Kobold
Each year approximately 400,000 people visit Booderee to enjoy beautiful landscape, unpolluted waters, white sandy beaches and abundant wildlife. Help us protect Booderee by not feeding the wildlife and reducing your impact during your visit.
Please do not feed the animals
Over the years the huge quantity of food fed to wildlife by visitors has caused a great increase in the numbers of crimson rosellas. They push other birds and mammals out of nesting hollows, forcing them out of the area.
Unwanted Guests
Feeding attracts:
- currawongs and ravens which raid nests and prey on the young of our small native birds.
- animals which compete with our local wildlife
- feral black rats which come out at night for an easy feed
Turning nasty
Handfed wildlife become:
- aggressive toward humans and each other - aggressive kangaroos have to be destroyed to protect people
- dependent upon unnatural food - some animals starve in winter because they have lost the ability to find their own food
- easy targets for poachers
- annoying to visitors in tents, caravans and at picnic tables
Bad diets
Food provided by visitors can be fatal to wildlife. Poor nutrition can lead to:
- bone deformities
- reduced ability to cope in cold weather
- susceptibility to disease
- general bad health
Health hazards
Sick animals, such as birds, are attracted to free feeds where diseases can spread easily amongst the large flocks that gather. Flatworm, psittacosis (a lung disease), salmonella, fungal infections and tetanus can be transferred from wildlife to humans. Bites and scratches to people are common when feeding wildlife. This is frightening and often painful and can lead to serious infections.
Fire
Wildfires can cause enormous damage to the bush and kill many native species in their path. They also endanger people's lives and destroy homes and property. To avoid causing wildfires please:
- check fire restrictions before lighting fires
- only use fires for cooking
- only light fires in the fireplaces provided
- keep fires small to conserve wood (if you are cold wear warm clothes)
- only collect wood from the woodbins provided (collecting wood from the national park destroys habitat and is an offence)
- don't dispose of barbeque briquettes or similar fireplace remains in the bush
- heat beads and other solid fuels may be used only in, or within 5 metres of fireplaces provided. Any fires not in a fire place must be contained in a portable barbecue or stove
- make sure your fire or heat beads are fully extinguished. Fire hose reels and taps are located near provided fireplaces
Total fire ban days
Total fire bans will be declared in the Park when a ban is in place for the Shoalhaven district, or at other times as determined by the Park Manager. In the event of a total fire ban:
- fire signs in the Park will indicate extreme fire danger and/or total fire ban
- walking trails will be closed, with the exception of Murrays Beach, Caves, Bristol Point, Green Patch, Ruined Lighthouse access points and some walking trails in the Botanic Gardens
- no fires are allowed for any purpose
- heat beads and any form of solid fuel may not be used
- gas barbecues or stoves or trangias may be used:
- only in or within 5 m of provided fireplaces, where there is an immediate and continuous supply of water (they may not be used on campsites)
- under the direct control of an adult
- Electric barbecues at Green Patch day use and camping areas and Botanic Gardens may be used
Reporting a fire
If you see a fire, report it on 000, Shoalhaven Fire Control on 4421 5022 or the Visitor Centre 4443 0977.
Evacuation
If evacuation is necessary, follow the directions of Police or Park staff. Campground evacuation points are the nearest beach, unless directed otherwise
Sharks
Visitors are warned that sharks are common off beaches in and around Booderee National Park, and a number of shark species which occur here are potentially dangerous. There have been no recorded shark attacks in the region, but there is a small risk. Shark numbers are highest from December to March.
No beaches in the Park are patrolled or netted. The McDonalds Aerial Patrol currently overflies beaches from Stanwell Park to Batemans Bay which includes Jervis Bay on weekends and public holidays in Summer. The light aircarft will alert swimmers of sharks by sounding a siren. Park Rangers and Police will alert swimmers if dangerous sharks have been reported near swimming beaches.
There are things that you can do to reduce the likelihood of a shark attack:
- Don't go swimming or wading in the sea between dusk and dawn. Many shark and ray species are more likely to be active and feeding at that time.
- Don't swim alone. Swim with other people.
- Don't swim in murky waters or in estuaries such as Sussex Inlet. Dangerous bull sharks favour those types of waters.
- Don't swim around seal colonies, and avoid large schools of bait fish, often noticeable by activity on the surface and sea birds diving into the water. Sharks feed on fish, seals, and seabirds.
- Don't swim near wharves and boat ramps where people clean fish and discard carcasses. Sharks are attracted to blood.
Staying safe
- slip, slop, slap - protect yourself from the sun
- spiders, snakes and ticks are around
- during total fire bans walking trails are closed
- when near cliffs exercise extreme caution
- when on rock platforms watch what the waves are doing and never turn your back to the sea
- carry drinking water with you at all times
- spearguns, hand spears and firearms are prohibited
Emergency numbers
Life threatening emergency 000
Police 4442 1008
Medical clinic 4443 0955
Public telephone - Jervis Bay Village Shop
