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National park · Australia

Bungonia National Park

Go for one half-day: drive The Lookdown Road, walk the 6.7 km Green Track between Adams and The Lookdown lookouts, and skip the caves unless you have rope skills and a caving group — cave access is technical and CO2 builds up in summer.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

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Area

15 km²

approximate

Established

1972

Best months

Apr–May, Sep–Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country
Australia
Area
15 km²
Roughly 15 km² of plateau, gorge and cave reserve; boundaries have changed since the 1872 water reserve (check).
Established
1972
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Permits
For some areas

Bungonia is a limestone gorge park on the edge of the Southern Highlands, about two hours from Sydney and 40 minutes from Goulburn. The plateau is easy walking with two big lookouts over the Shoalhaven gorge; below the rim, hundreds of caves and steep slots need ropes, helmets and caving experience. The park is small, quiet on weekdays and cold in winter. Entry is free; you pay only for camping.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1972.

Size and age

15 km² · national park since 1972

Roughly 15 km² of plateau, gorge and cave reserve; boundaries have changed since the 1872 water reserve (check).

Why go

  • Two lookouts over a 400 m limestone gorge, reached by an easy 6.7 km track.
  • A genuine caving park: hundreds of caves, from walking-size to rope-and-abseil verticals.
  • Quiet midweek — you may see almost no one on the plateau tracks.
  • Close enough to Sydney for a day trip, and 40 minutes from Goulburn for a half-day.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanCaution
  2. FebCaution
  3. MarGo
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunGo
  7. JulGo
  8. AugGo
  9. SepBest
  10. OctBest
  11. NovGo
  12. DecCaution
  • JanHot; 12–26°C average, 40°C recorded; start early
  • FebHot; storms possible
  • MarWettest month on average; tracks muddy
  • AprMild, dry, clear gorge views
  • MayCool and dry; best walking
  • JunCold nights near 1°C; frost
  • JulColdest; -9°C recorded; dress warm
  • AugCold, often clear
  • SepDriest month; wildflowers start
  • OctMild, dry, good light
  • NovWarming; still comfortable
  • DecHot; holiday crowds at lookouts

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Bungonia National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies on the plateauAll year · Most active at dawn and dusk.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Birds of the dry woodland, including parrots and honeyeatersMar–Apr, Sep–Novnonoyesyesnonononoyesyesyesno
Wildflowers on the plateauSep–Novnonononononononoyesyesyesno
Snakes warming on rocksOct–Mar · Watch your step off-track.yesyesyesnonononononoyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Sydney

M31 Hume Hwy south, exit Jerra Rd just past Marulan, then Bungonia town and The Lookdown Rd to the park.

2–2.5 h

Open the page →

From Goulburn

Drive via Marulan and Bungonia town to The Lookdown Rd.

40–50 min

From Canberra

M31 Hume Hwy north to the Marulan exit, then as above.

1.5–2 h

Open the page →

From Southern Highlands base

From Bowral or Moss Vale, drive north-east via Marulan.

1–1.5 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Bungonia National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Main plateau and lookoutsAdams Lookout, The Lookdown Lookout, picnic areas and the Green Track.Open; sealed road, parking at trailheads.
Bungonia GorgeThe limestone gorge below the rim, with steep slots and the Shoalhaven River country.Experienced walkers and cavers only; routes are unmarked and rough.
Cave systemsDrum Cave, Grill Cave and hundreds of smaller caves, some with high CO2 in summer.Roped or guided access; some caves closed or gated.
Campground and picnic areaBungonia campground, toilets, showers and the Molly O'Neill nature track.Open; camping booked online.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Bungonia National Park, north up12345
Approximate positions from the park office and campground to the two lookouts, for orientation only.
  1. 1Bungonia National Park Office · Headquarters≈-34.810, 150.008838 The Lookdown Rd; open only some weekends and public holidays (check).Map ↗
  2. 2Bungonia campground · Sleep≈-34.807, 150.002Map ↗
  3. 3Adams Lookout · Viewpoint≈-34.798, 150.009Map ↗
  4. 4The Lookdown Lookout · Viewpoint≈-34.799, 150.019Map ↗
  5. 5Bungonia town · Town≈-34.833, 149.967Approximate; fuel and supplies are better at Marulan or Goulburn.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy2–3 hGreen Track between the lookouts6.7 km through bush between Adams Lookout and The Lookdown Lookout; gentle, with some narrow stepped sections.
ViewpointsEasy20–30 minAdams LookoutShort walk from the Adams Track parking; wide view over the Great Dividing Range country.
ViewpointsEasy20–30 minThe Lookdown LookoutThe classic gorge view; a few minutes from the car park on The Lookdown Road.
TrailsEasy20 minMolly O'Neill Nature Track300 m loop around the picnic area; good with small children.
CavesExpertHalf to full dayDrum Cave or Grill Cave tripRopes, abseiling and navigation; CO2 can reach dangerous levels in summer.Booking: Licensed caving operator or club

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Bungonia National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entryFreevehicleNo entry fee for this park (check current NSW parks policy).
Bungonia campgroundAUD 12–25adult per night2026 estimate; book online before you drive in.
Guided caving or abseil tripAUD 150–350person2026 estimate; run by licensed operators, not the park.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No ticket or permit; drive in and park at the trailheads.

Camping permit or guide

Book the Bungonia campground online through the NSW National Parks site before arrival.

Cave access permit or guide

Many caves need registration and a key or a licensed caving group; some are closed. Check with the park office at 838 The Lookdown Rd before planning a cave.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Speed limit
40 km/h inside the park; the limit is not signed when you leave, and outside the boundary it can be 100 km/h.
Caves
Do not enter caves alone or without the right rope skills; some are gated or closed. Register your trip.
Fires
No campfires in the park; use the campground's facilities and check total fire bans in summer.
Dogs and pets
Not allowed in the national park.
Litter and rock
Take all rubbish out; do not remove rocks, fossils or plants.

Where to stay

In the park

Bungonia campground

Basic sites with parking, toilets and showers; book online.

Near the park

Goulburn motels

40–50 min away; the practical base for a cold or wet night.

Near the park

Southern Highlands towns

Bowral, Moss Vale and Marulan have pubs, motels and B&Bs 1–1.5 h away.

Safety

Falling into holes and slots off-track high

Stay on marked tracks on the plateau; the ground has many hidden openings.

Carbon dioxide in caves high

Avoid unventilated caves in summer; go with a caving group and carry a gas monitor.

Heat and exposure in summer medium

Start before 9:00, carry 2–3 L of water per person, and turn back if the day hits the high 30s.

Cold and frost in winter medium

Nights can drop near or below 0°C; bring a proper sleeping bag and layers.

No phone signal in the gorge medium

Tell someone your route and expected return time before you descend.

Accessibility

  • The Lookdown Lookout and the picnic area are reached by sealed road with short, mostly level walks.
  • The Green Track has narrow sections and steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
  • The gorge and cave routes are not accessible.

Visiting lightly

  • Stay on tracks; plateau soils and cave formations are easily damaged.
  • Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps, to keep wildlife from depending on visitors.
  • Book caving trips with licensed operators who follow cave-closure and CO2 rules.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Bungonia National Park?

Entry is free — there is no gate fee for this park. You pay only if you camp at Bungonia campground (2026 estimate A$12–25 per adult per night, booked online) or book a commercial caving trip.

What are the best hikes in Bungonia National Park?

The Green Track, 6.7 km between Adams Lookout and The Lookdown Lookout, is the best half-day walk: gentle, signed and mostly on the plateau. The Molly O'Neill Nature Track is a 300 m loop at the picnic area. Gorge and cave routes below the rim are rough, unmarked and for experienced parties only.

When is the best time to visit Bungonia National Park?

April, May, September and October give mild, mostly dry walking. Summer is hot (averages 12–26°C, 40°C recorded) and caves can hold dangerous CO2. Winter is cold, with averages of 1–14°C and a recorded low of -9°C.

Do I need a guide or permit for the caves?

Many caves need registration, a key or a licensed caving group, and some are closed. Do not enter caves without rope skills and a group. Ask at the park office on The Lookdown Road before you plan a cave day.

Can I get there without a car?

No. The park is car-only: take the M31 Hume Hwy and exit at Jerra Rd south of Marulan, then drive through Bungonia town to The Lookdown Road. There is no public transport to the trailheads.

Is Bungonia crowded?

Usually not. Weekdays and winter are quiet, and you may see few other people. Summer weekends and public holidays bring day-trippers to the two lookouts.

Related

Australia travel guide National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources