Tucked away in Mimosa Rocks National Park on the NSW far south coast, Nelson Lagoon is a serene, sheltered estuary fed by coastal waters and backed by dunes. A short 300m walking track from Nelson Beach carpark leads to this tranquil spot where still, tea-coloured waters mirror the surrounding bushland. Perfect for a gentle paddle, a picnic by the water's edge, or as a launch point to explore the golden sands of nearby Nelson Beach. Spring brings excellent birdwatching with pied oystercatchers and little wattlebirds foraging along the shoreline.
Nelson Lagoon
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.5 mSwell Period 6.5 sWind Speed 1.0 knPrecipitation 14 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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Moderate risk: Rip currents at nearby beaches
Beaches in this park are not patrolled by lifeguards and can have strong rip currents.
Low risk: Tidal currents in channels
Strong rips and currents can occur across the sand flats and in channels of the lagoon, especially during the change in tide.
Low risk: Limited mobile reception
There is very limited mobile phone reception in the park, making emergency communication difficult.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
2 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Nelson Lagoon is in the southern part of Mimosa Rocks National Park, near the town of Nelson (NSW). From the Princes Highway, take the turn-off towards Nelson Beach and follow the signs to the Nelson Beach carpark. A 300m walking track leads from the carpark to the lagoon.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at the Nelson Beach carpark (unsealed), a short walk from the lagoon.
parkingpicnic_tables
No park entry fees apply for day use. A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required for fishing.
Spot Map
Community
Gallery ┬╖ 2 photos
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports