Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens 4.25

Booderee National Park and Botanic Gardens are located in the Jervis Bay Territory of Australia. The reserve is composed of two sections: the Bherwerre Peninsula, on the southern foreshore of Jervis Bay, Bowen Island and the waters of the south of the bay lands bordered by Wreck Bay to the south, St Georges Basin to the north and Sussex Inlet to the west What is now the national park was declared as a nature reserve in 1971. In 1992, Jervis Bay National Park was declared. Although the local Aboriginal community was offered two seats on the park's Board of Management, the offer was declined as part of a protest over land rights issues.In 1995, the park was transferred to the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community, which leases the area back to the Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage. At this time, the name of the park was changed to "Booderee". The name, meaning 'bay of plenty' or 'plenty of fish' in the Dhurga language, was chosen by the local Aboriginal community.Park highlightsWith its unspoiled beaches and abundant flora and fauna, the park, located just three hours from the cities of Sydney and Canberra, is extremely popular with tourists.The park’s sea cliffs are the highest in New South Wales and among the highest anywhere on the east coast of Australia, peaking at Steamers Head which rises to 130 m.The Cape St George Lighthouse ruin is considered the most significant European heritage site in the park and was listed on the Register of the National Estate in 1981.