National park · Australia
Bungonia National Park
Go for one half-day: drive The Lookdown Road, walk the 6.7 km (4.2 mi) 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.Go for one half-day: drive The Lookdown Road, walk the 4.2 mi (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.
- 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
15 km² (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (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 (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (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 (6 sq mi)6 sq mi (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 (4.2 mi) track.Two lookouts over a 400 m limestone gorge, reached by an easy 4.2 mi (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
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot; 12–26°C (54–79°F) average, 40°C (104°F) recorded; start earlyHot; 54–79°F (12–26°C) average, 104°F (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 (34°F); frostCold nights near 34°F (1°C); frost
- JulColdest; -9°C (16°F) recorded; dress warmColdest; 16°F (-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
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies on the plateauAll year · Most active at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of the dry woodland, including parrots and honeyeatersMar–Apr, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Wildflowers on the plateauSep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Snakes warming on rocksOct–Mar · Watch your step off-track. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | 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 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
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main plateau and lookouts | Adams Lookout, The Lookdown Lookout, picnic areas and the Green Track. | Open; sealed road, parking at trailheads. |
| Bungonia Gorge | The limestone gorge below the rim, with steep slots and the Shoalhaven River country. | Experienced walkers and cavers only; routes are unmarked and rough. |
| Cave systems | Drum 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 area | Bungonia campground, toilets, showers and the Molly O'Neill nature track. | Open; camping booked online. |
Sketch map
- 1Bungonia National Park Office · Headquarters≈-34.810, 150.008838 The Lookdown Rd; open only some weekends and public holidays (check).Map ↗
- 2Bungonia campground · Sleep≈-34.807, 150.002Map ↗
- 3Adams Lookout · Viewpoint≈-34.798, 150.009Map ↗
- 4The Lookdown Lookout · Viewpoint≈-34.799, 150.019Map ↗
- 5Bungonia town · Town≈-34.833, 149.967Approximate; fuel and supplies are better at Marulan or Goulburn.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 office and campground to the two lookouts, 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 this park (check current NSW parks policy). |
| Bungonia campground | AUD 12–25 (≈ US$8–17) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; book online before you drive in. |
| Guided caving or abseil trip | AUD 150–350 (≈ US$100–250) | person | 2026 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
Camping permit or guide
Cave access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$12–25≈ US$8–17
- A$150–350≈ US$100–250
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NSW National Parks — Bungonia National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Speed limit
- 40 km/h (25 mph) inside the park; the limit is not signed when you leave, and outside the boundary it can be 100 km/h (62 mph).25 mph (40 km/h) inside the park; the limit is not signed when you leave, and outside the boundary it can be 62 mph (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
Carbon dioxide in caves high
Heat and exposure in summer medium
Cold and frost in winter medium
No phone signal in the gorge 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 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.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks — Bungonia National Park
- officialNSW National Parks — Bungonia campground
- officialNSW National Parks — Green Track
- officialNSW National Parks — Adams Lookout
- officialNSW National Parks — The Lookdown Lookout
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bungonia National Park, revision 4949952 (CC BY-SA 4.0)