Mimosa Rocks

Meet the site

Mimosa Rocks National Park covers about 17 km of coast between Bermagui and Tathra. It takes its name from the paddle steamer Mimosa, which struck rocks just north of Aragunnu Beach in 1863. The rocks themselves are volcanic sea stacks and platforms, formed from ancient lava and ash layers, rising from the sea off the beach. The Sapphire Coast guide calls Aragunnu an ideal location for snorkellers and divers, while warning of strong rips and sharp rocks.

Underwater, the rocks and surrounding reefs have kelp and crayweed in the shallows, boulders and gutters deeper, and sand at the base. Typical fish include blue groper, luderick, eastern rock blackfish, sweep, bream, silver trevally, leatherjackets and wrasse, with stingrays and flathead on the sand. The gutters along the rocks are productive for fish (the same gutters are fished from shore for bream, salmon and mulloway). Octopus, sea urchins and nudibranchs are common. Remains of the Mimosa were salvaged and dispersed long ago; no dive account of the wreck was found.

The site suits experienced snorkellers and shore divers on calm days, and it is a good option for campers at Aragunnu. It is exposed, so conditions must be checked carefully. There is no detailed published dive description, so depths here are indicative. The national park setting, campground and quiet beaches make it a pleasant base.

What you might see

Blue groper, luderick, eastern rock blackfish, sweep, bream, silver trevally, salmon, leatherjackets, wrasse, stingrays, flathead, octopus, nudibranchs, kelp

Location

Volcanic sea stacks and rocky reefs off Aragunnu Beach in Mimosa Rocks National Park, between Bermagui and Tathra; named after the paddle steamer Mimosa wrecked here in 1863; snorkelling and shore diving from the beach.

Facilities nearby

Aragunnu NPWS campground with barbecues, toilets and picnic tables; no shops – nearest Tathra or Bermagui.