Environmental signage at Wonboyn Lake Resort

lderness
a brief history
Pied oystercatcher
Disaster Bay
Wonboyn Lake
Resort
you are here
Ceremonies were used to pass on knowledge and
respect for people, the land and the sea. Shell middens
on the lake shore are evidence of these times. To this
day, the local Aboriginal community remain closely
connected to Wonboyn Lake, and some members are
also part of the oyster farming community.
The Yuin people used and managed the natural
resources in this region for thousands of years prior to
European settlement. The rich waters and surrounding
habitats provided food from the sea, lake and land.
Wonboyn Lake is part of Bundian Way, which is a
cultural travelling and trading trail between the coast
and the high country. Aboriginal visitors, from as far
away as Wollongong in the north, Mallacoota in the
south and the Monaro to the west, made pilgrimages
to the Wonboyn area.
Historically, Wonboyn Lake played an important role in
the establishment of the local oyster industry, which
commenced in the early 1900s. Seed oysters, or spat,
sourced from Wonboyn, were transported to establish
farms in other local lakes.
Myrtle Cove
Oyster leases
Toilets
Channel
WONBOYN
M Fiedler
M Fiedler
F Kristo, OEH
Aboriginal shell midden
While you are visiting, you can help to protect
Wonboyn Lake and the oyster industry by
remembering to do a few simple things:
Sydney rock oysters
Harvesting Sydney rock oysters
•Sewage – do not pollute the lake with sewage.
Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) grow
naturally in Wonboyn Lake and are considered a
gourmet delight. These native oysters are cultivated
without the use of artificial food, fertilisers or pesticides.
They take 2-3 years to reach market size, and as they
grow they filter all their food directly from the water.
Every oyster filters over 20 litres of water per day, a
process which helps keep the lake water clean.
H Davies
A Rubio
oyster farming — our shared resource
Through their estuary-wide Environmental
Management System, Wonboyn Oyster Farmers are
committed to minimising the impact of oyster farming
on the lake. This includes a commitment to maintaining
a thorough water quality testing program and the
replacement of old oyster infrastructure with new,
environmentally friendly growing methods. Oyster
Yellowfin bream
Wonboyn River mouth
courtesy of NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Sunrise
Wonboyn Lake is a beautiful estuary to explore and is recognised
as being in near-pristine condition. The lake contains large areas
of seagrass meadows, mangroves, saltmarsh and wetlands, which
provide habitats for a diverse range of animals. Wonboyn Lake
system is largely navigable. Wonboyn River flows into the estuary
from the west, and out to sea through the entrance into Disaster
Bay. While tidal exchange is limited and shoaling occurs at the
oceanic entrance, Wonboyn Lake produces delicious oysters. As
you explore the estuary you will see this is a working estuary with
lease areas dedicated to oyster farming.
D Ross
S Schulz
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Koori artwork by Lee Cruse, Eden Aboriginal Land Council
M Jarman
C Henry
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Go before you go – use the toilets provided here
or in Nadgee Nature Reserve.
•Boat Wash – minimise boat wash within
the lake to prevent damage to oyster lease
infrastructure, erosion of the bank and
Aboriginal shell middens.
•Respect the wildlife – navigate the lake with
consideration for the wildlife.
•Respect oyster leases – do not tie up to
Checking the oyster baskets
lease poles, touch farming infrastructure or
the oysters. Penalties for oyster theft can be
a $250,000+ fine or 6 months imprisonment.
Report theft or suspicious activity around oyster
leases to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sustainable oyster farming is supported by
Sydney rock oyster lease
growers are also working with the community and other
stakeholders to protect Wonboyn Lake, ensuring clean
water and great tasting oysters for everyone.
Bega
Coast
Oysters Inc.
Wonboyn
Oyster
Farmers
•Report spills or estuary contamination – call
Bega Valley Shire Council on (02) 6499 2222.