Activity restrictions
Domesticated animals
Domesticated animals (including dogs and horses) are allowed on marine park beaches that local government authorities or other land management agencies have designated for such activities.
- Domesticated animals will be allowed within any marine park zone if they are assisting a disabled person, are a police dog, remain confined to a vessel or vehicle, or if the owner has a marine parks permit.
- Pets and vehicles can distress seabirds and shorebirds. Therefore it is important to keep pets off beaches that are adjacent to a national park and observe local government rules on other beaches.
Motorised vehicles
Vehicles are only permitted on beaches where designated by local government authorities or other land management agencies.
The above provisions do not apply to emergency and authorised vehicles, including those with a relevant permit.
Anchoring and mooring
Anchoring is generally allowed in the marine park except in sanctuary zones. Public moorings have been provided at:
- Northwest Rock
- North Solitary Island
- North West Solitary Island
- South West Solitary (Groper) Island
- Split Solitary Island
- South Solitary Island
- Surgeons Reef
All Marine Parks moorings are suitable for vessels up to 13 m long in winds of up to 21 knots, except heavy moorings installed at North Solitary Island.
These heavy moorings are suitable for vessels up to 25 m long in winds up to 21 knots. Vessels must connect using their own painter or bow line of at least 30 m.
A Marine Parks mooring must not be used in a manner contrary to the conditions of use as displayed on that mooring.
A marine park permit is required to install or relocate a mooring in Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Personal watercraft
A motorised personal watercraft (i.e. jet ski) is not permitted in an estuary, except in the Sandon, Wooli Wooli and Corindi rivers for the purpose of travelling between the ocean and the lowest boat ramp (at a speed not exceeding 4 knots).
Collecting
These regulations apply to collecting plants and animals in the park:
- collecting marine plants and animals for scientific or educational purposes is allowed in general use and habitat protection zones with a marine park permit.
- commercial collection for the aquarium trade is prohibited.
- recreational collecting of aquarium specimens is allowed subject to possession of a marine parks permit.
- collecting marine plants and animals for scientific or educational purposes is allowed in general use and habitat protection zones subject to possession of marine parks permit.
- collecting is not permitted in sanctuary zones, or in other areas specified in the marine park Zoning Map (PDF, 1928.17 KB). For a summary of rules relating to collecting from rocky shores, please see the Rocky Shore Guide (PDF, 3429.09 KB).
Fish cleaning
Cleaning fish and fishing gear are not permitted in a sanctuary zone, except at a facility designated for those purposes.
Cleaning fish and fishing gear at the Minnie Water Lagoon are not permitted, except at a cleaning facility designated for those purposes.
Artificial reefs
Please see the policy on Artificial reefs and fish attracting devices in NSW Marine Parks for more information.
