National park · Australia
Dharawal National Park
Go for a half day from Wollongong or south Sydney: entry is free, the Minerva Pool and Jingga tracks are 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) return, and the 10B cycling trail is 15 km (9.3 mi) one way. Arrive before 10:00 on weekends; the car park at Victoria Road fills by mid-morning.Go for a half day from Wollongong or south Sydney: entry is free, the Minerva Pool and Jingga tracks are 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) return, and the 10B cycling trail is 15 km (9.3 mi) one way. Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends; the car park at Victoria Road fills by mid-morning.Go for a half day from Wollongong or south Sydney: entry is free, the Minerva Pool and Jingga tracks are 1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km) return, and the 10B cycling trail is 9.3 mi (15 km) one way. Arrive before 10:00 on weekends; the car park at Victoria Road fills by mid-morning.Go for a half day from Wollongong or south Sydney: entry is free, the Minerva Pool and Jingga tracks are 1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km) return, and the 10B cycling trail is 9.3 mi (15 km) one way. Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends; the car park at Victoria Road fills by mid-morning.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
65 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (65 km²)
approximate
Established
2012
Best months
Mar–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
- 65 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (65 km²)
- About 65 km² of national park plus three residual state conservation areas on the western and central edges where mining leases continue (check).
- Established
- 2012
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Dharawal National Park protects the sandstone plateau and creek catchments of Dharawal country on the southern rim of the Sydney Basin, between Appin and the Illawarra escarpment. It was a water catchment from 1927, a nature reserve and state recreation area from 1996, and became a national park in 2012, with three residual state conservation areas left on the western and central edges where mining leases continue. Entry is free and there is no booking, but there is also no public transport, no camping, no shops and no ranger station: this is a half-day car trip from Wollongong, Campbelltown or south Sydney, built around short walks to freshwater pools and a small waterfall, plus a 15 km one-way cycling trail across the plateau.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2012.
Size and age
65 km² (25 sq mi)25 sq mi (65 km²) · national park since 2012
About 65 km² of national park plus three residual state conservation areas on the western and central edges where mining leases continue (check).
Why go
- Free entry and no booking: one of the few real bush walks within an hour of south Sydney and Wollongong.
- Minerva Pool and Jingga Pool are swimmable freshwater pools on the Woronora plateau, reached by short, well-signed tracks.
- Maddens Falls is an easy 2 km (1.2 mi) return walk with a lookout and a rough side path to the top.Maddens Falls is an easy 1.2 mi (2 km) return walk with a lookout and a rough side path to the top.
- The 10B cycling trail runs 15 km (9.3 mi) one way across the plateau, one of the longer rides in the Illawarra.The 10B cycling trail runs 9.3 mi (15 km) one way across the plateau, one of the longer rides in the Illawarra.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot; start before 9:00 and swim earlyHot; start before 9:00 AM and swim early
- FebHot and humid; afternoon storms
- MarWarm days, cooler nights
- AprMild, dry, clear
- MayCool and dry; good walking
- JunCold mornings; quiet
- JulColdest month; frost in the valleys
- AugCool, dry, first wildflowers
- SepMild; spring flowering
- OctWarm and dry; busiest weekends
- NovWarm; watch for total fire bans
- DecHot; school holidays and crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (128 species recorded in the park)Mar–May, Sep–Nov · Early morning is best; the park is quiet and the bush is close to the track. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Spring wildflowers, including Persoonia and Acacia speciesAug–Oct · Several of these plants are listed as endangered or vulnerable, so do not pick them. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Frogs calling after rainMar–May, Sep–Nov · 23 frog species are recorded here. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Snakes and ticks in warm monthsNov–Mar · Wear long trousers and boots on grassy sections. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Wollongong
Appin Road (B69) north, then Victoria Road to the main trailhead.
45–60 min
From Sydney
M5 and Appin Road south; no train or bus runs to the park gates.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Campbelltown
Appin Road south, then Victoria Road.
30–40 min
From Budderoo National Park
South via the Illawarra escarpment roads; a separate park with its own walks.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Road trailhead | Main access on the eastern side; start of the Minerva Pool and Jingga tracks. | Open; free parking, no facilities. |
| Maddens Falls | Waterfall, lookout and the 2 km (1.2 mi) return walk; parking in front of Glenbernie Orchard.Waterfall, lookout and the 1.2 mi (2 km) return walk; parking in front of Glenbernie Orchard. | Open; unsealed access road (check). |
| O'Hares Creek and Jingga Pool | Western plateau lookouts and a natural swimming pool. | Open on foot; respect the cultural significance of the site. |
| Residual state conservation areas | Three areas on the western and central edges kept out of the national park for mining. | Closed to visitors (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Victoria Road trailhead · Gate≈-34.204, 150.851Approximate; main eastern access.Map ↗
- 2Maddens Falls · Viewpoint≈-34.239, 150.915Map ↗
- 3O'Hares Creek lookout · Viewpoint≈-34.158, 150.840Map ↗
- 4Jingga Pool · Beach≈-34.164, 150.838Natural freshwater pool; swimming allowed, land is sacred.Map ↗
- 5Appin · Town≈-34.213, 150.786Approximate; nearest food and beds.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the park centre and the listed trailheads, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for Dharawal; NSW charges for some parks, not this one (check). |
| Parking | Free | vehicle | Free at the Victoria Road and Maddens Falls trailheads; no meters. |
| NSW annual multi-parks pass | AUD 65–190 (≈ US$45–130) | year | 2026 estimate; only worth it if you also visit parks that do charge, such as Kosciuszko or Royal. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Mining-lease land permit or guide
Group or commercial activity permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on marked tracks
- Three state conservation areas inside the park boundary remain closed for mining; signs mark the edges.
- No drones
- Drones are not allowed in NSW national parks without a permit from the parks service (check).check
- No camping
- There is nowhere to camp or sleep inside the park; the nearest beds are in Appin or Wollongong.
- No fires
- Fires and solid-fuel stoves are banned; total fire bans apply on hot, windy days.
- Respect cultural sites
- The pools and the wider park are Dharawal country; do not climb on rock art or leave offerings.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the national park, including in the car parks.
Where to stay
Near the park
Appin
Small town on Appin Road with motels and pubs, 10–20 min from the trailheads.
Near the park
Wollongong
Full range of hotels, hostels and apartments, 45–60 min away.
Near the park
Campbelltown
Motels and serviced apartments on the Sydney side, 30–40 min away.
Safety
Bushfire high
Heat on the plateau medium
Rock edges at Maddens Falls and the lookouts medium
No phone signal in the valleys medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Maddens Falls walk is a formed 2 km (1.2 mi) return track with a lookout, but the surface is uneven and not wheelchair-standard (check).The Maddens Falls walk is a formed 1.2 mi (2 km) return track with a lookout, but the surface is uneven and not wheelchair-standard (check).
- The Minerva Pool and Jingga tracks are dirt with roots and steps; not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.
- No accessible toilets or picnic facilities at the trailheads; the nearest services are in Appin.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins at the trailheads.
- Do not swim with soap or sunscreen-heavy skin in Minerva or Jingga Pool; they are small, still freshwater systems.
- Keep to the track at the pools; the surrounding vegetation includes listed endangered plants.
- Ride the 10B trail only when dry to avoid cutting up the fire trail.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Dharawal National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee and no parking charge at the Victoria Road or Maddens Falls trailheads. NSW does charge at some other parks, so a multi-parks annual pass only makes sense if you plan to visit those too.
What are the best hikes in Dharawal National Park?
For most visitors: Minerva Pool walking track (short return to a freshwater pool), Jingga walking track (about 2.8 km return to Jingga Pool) and Maddens Falls (2 km return to a lookout over a small waterfall). The O'Hares Creek lookout track is longer and less used, and the 10B cycling trail covers 15 km one way.
When is the best time to visit Dharawal National Park?
March to May and September to November. Days are mild, tracks are dry and the light is good. January, February and December are hot and the pools are the main draw; June to August is cold but quiet.
Can you swim at Dharawal National Park?
Yes, at Minerva Pool and Jingga Pool. They are natural freshwater pools on Dharawal country, so keep to the tracks, keep noise down and do not use soap. There are no lifeguards.
How do you get to Dharawal National Park?
By car. There is no train or bus to the gates. From Wollongong take Appin Road (B69) north then Victoria Road; from Sydney take the M5 and Appin Road south. Allow 1–1.5 hours from central Sydney.
Is there anywhere to stay or eat in the park?
No. There are no shops, cafes or campsites in the park. The nearest food and beds are in Appin, about 10–20 minutes away, or Wollongong, 45–60 minutes away.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Dogs are not allowed in the national park or at the trailhead car parks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Dharawal National Park
- officialNSW NPWS — Minerva Pool walking track
- officialNSW NPWS — Jingga walking track
- officialNSW NPWS — Maddens Falls lookout
- officialNSW NPWS — O'Hares Creek lookout
- officialNSW NPWS — 10B cycling trail
- secondaryWikipedia — Dharawal National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dharawal National Park, revision 4853174 (CC BY-SA 4.0)