bass point reserve

Beautiful, well worth a walk, near a picturesque beach , easy walk from accommodation, will visit again, took the papers and rug

Bushrangers Bay is beautiful, quiet and secluded. On our visit low visibility for snorkelling. The shore is medium to large rocks - very difficult to walk on - take sneakers!

This area is a 72 hectare coastal reserve located just south of Shellharbour Village in the Illawarra area which is between the Wollongong and Kiama areas . This little village is in itself a lovely seaside stop to visit and has some great eateries ,shops contains public seaside swimming pools and a lovely harbour too. The reserve itself is close to the village from which by following the signs you can easily access by car. The different parts are reasonably well signposted once you drive through the access gates after which you will see that you are within a shoreline rainforest area. This can be pleasant to walk through (but bring your mozzie cream) . Most points of interest can be driven to with ready car-parking and good clean facilities in many parts of the reserve. Some of the water and rock platforms are accessed by steps , but they can be viewed from above, pleasant reward for the very short bush walks it takes to get to some of these places after parking your vehicle. Interestingly the reserve is recognied as one of the most important archaeological sites on the NSW coast , over 20'000 ago Australian Aboriginal people were using Bass Point as a regular campsite. A self guided Aboriginal Indigenous Cultural walk is on site with plaques providing information. Bass Point is said to have great fishing and is a well known as a diving location. A boat ramp and public bathrooms are also available.In May 1943 an American merchant ship 'Cities Services Boston' sank off Bass Point during a storm. Bushrangers BayBest of all for those keen to go snorkelling there's are a number of places recommended for this in Bass Point. Bushrangers Bay is a fantastic aquatic reserve located at the eastern end of the Reserve.This place is known by locals as a good snorkelling location with its position being protected from the greater ocean to a good degree. I found it to be easy to swim in and navigate my way around. It is quite big area too so there is plenty of space for everyone , not that it gets overly busy by any stretch of the imagination. Still, even when there are a good number of snorkelling people it does not feel crowded and this the sea life are not intimidated . Once you leave the stoney shore the water becomes deep within about 30 meters out so you are well above the view most of the time . Visa ability remained for us in the main very clear after we swam out to this point having been less so in the shallower areas.Here the beds of varying types of swaying seaweed were majestic enough to have made it a worthwhile trip. I saw at least 15 to 20 varieties of fish and other sea creatures in varying sizes . As this is an aquatic reserve for plant and animal species, you must take care not to be intrusive , you cannot fish or destroy marine life. You are not allowed to collect dead or alive marine life not even empty shells. My much more experienced snorkelling companion remarked at the unhurried nature of the fish .There were numerous sizes and varieties of fish it was nice to see them swimming and feeding without signs of duress which you can see when snorkelling in other places that were not reserves . The access is via a set of wood coastal steps, quite a few , but easily traversed . This stair case has several small platforms built in affording less agile folk to have small rest if needed going down or up. Including a nice two seater bench just a few meters from beach with a good view incase you are accompanied by someone who may need a chair to sit in as the beach itself is not really suitable for such equipment as it and the access to the water is via a pebble beach . Many of these pebbles were as large as eggs and were also mixed in with many large roundish stones . So not a great beach for the less than steady footed but definitely worth a visit if your keen to snorkel where you will see some coastal marine life in a fairly pristine habitat .