Deeban Spit

Details

Starting Point

Access to the start of the Deeban Spit bushwalk is via Bonnie Vale Beach located in the Royal National Park which borders the western edge of Bundeena via Sea Breeze Lane.  Up until the recent split (see below) one could access the spit directly from the beach anytime of day. However, now that is only possible at low tide unless one is prepared to get their feet wet.

Interactive Route Map

Points of Interest

Deeban Spit was originally created as a result of the excavation of 300,000 tonnes of sand from the nearby fish hatchery at Cabbage Tree Basin which operated during the early 1900s.

Together with dredging, storms, king tides, currents and other sand movements resulted in the spit being connected to Bonnie Vale Beach since the 1960s. However, that dramatically changed in May 2020 when the spit was split in two.

The split was triggered by a series of large tides which washed over sand from the spit to the northern section of the waterway adjoining Maianbar. The accumalation of sand blocked the waterway leaving no path out for water which was building up from rains. Eventually the water level built up until it forced it's way through the lower spit breaking it in two.

The area around Deeban Spit bushwalk has become a breeding area for migratory birds including the Eastern Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit. Both birds migrate here from Siberia, arriving around August-September.  Successful breeding requires overcoming many obstacles  as it is so care should be taken during your bushwalk to not disturb these birds or their nesting areas.

Many of the bird species here have long beaks to aid in feeding on the crustaceans such as yabbies that habitate in the tidal plains. Other birds that can be spotted here include pied oyster catchers, herons and pelicans.