Conservationists say passion alone will not hold out against development on the south coast.
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Friends of Durras convener John Perkins believes a rise in holiday makers each Christmas is an opportunity to educate more people about protecting Murramarang National Park's pristine beauty on Eurobodalla Shire's northern boundary.
The 12,000-hectare park includes Durras Lake catchment, which supports 50 hectares of seagrass - the juice of life, according to conservationists.
A slow turnover lake, Durras has intermittent flows of seawater as well as freshwater creeks feeding the seagrass, salt marshes, reed beds, and rocky reefs, providing a breeding ground for fish and prawns.
Towering eucalypts dwarf cars entering North Durras from the Princes Highway, forming a gateway to the world-class national park.
Mr Perkins and his fellow conservationists spend months before and after holidays picking up rubbish, revegetating and fortifying shorelines.
Since 1985 the friends have fought to protect old-growth forests and resist logging and development sprawl.
Ecotourism is growing on the south coast. At Murramarang spotlighting gliders at night can reveal up to five different species.
Nearby Wasp and Grasshopper Islands protect little penguins from predators like foxes.
Mr Perkins said the more people who experience natural beauty, even on secluded stretches like Depot Beach, the more they would support national parks for posterity.
''To see the place carpeted with kids at Christmas is a wonderful sight,'' Mr Perkins said.
''What you see will hopefully remain the same year after year. It won't change.''
With a north-westerly breeze on his back, Mr Perkins noses his old sea kayak onto the beach as the tide retreats from near the entrance of Durras Lake.
Ribbed contours of sand are clearly visible all the way to a deeper channel of dark turquoise that twists and turns with the retreating tide.
''Kayak fishing is becoming more popular. The tinnie fishermen are getting into kayaks and quietly gliding into their fishing spots.
''A mate in a fishing shop at Ulladulla had $100,000 worth of kayaks and they just went out the door.''
At Broulee, Belinda Wehner and ecologist David Bain began an ecotourism venture five years ago with kayaks and paddle boards, a spin-off from her surf school.
Her brother and former world tour professional surfer Shane Wehner is taking over both businesses in the new year.
North Durras is already attracting tourists early in the summer season.
Tanned after an eight-week visit in Australia, Mary Prouse from Devon, England, and her husband Clifford are enthralled with Depot Beach's vastness, length of beaches, toilets and picnic areas.
''We've seen kangaroos, wallabies, octopus, lorikeets, king parrots,'' Mrs Prouse said. ''It's so vast, so many beaches. Our beaches are clogged up with people.''