Discover Dharawal National Park, a peaceful weekend escape near Sydney with scenic trails, waterfalls, and natural swimming spots.
If you’re after a peaceful alternative to the larger, more popular national parks around Greater Sydney, Dharawal National Park near Campbelltown is well worth your attention.
In this article, we’ll introduce Dharawal National Park as your next outdoor adventure destination, featuring five exciting highlights to explore.
About Dharawal National Park
Dharawal National Park remains a relatively lesser-known protected area in the Illawarra region of New South Wales.
Nestled between the Hume Motorway (M31) and Appin Road (B69) to the west and the Princes Motorway (M1) to the east, the park is easily accessible yet offers a quiet retreat.
The name ‘Dharawal‘ honours the language group of the local Aboriginal people, who have maintained a close connection with this land for over 15,000 years. Visitors can still find several Aboriginal sites, including shelters and artwork, within the park.
Dharawal National Park features an extensive network of creeks, swamp areas, and heath vegetation, along with cycling trails, walking tracks, waterfalls, and natural swimming spots.
These unique landscapes and activities make Dharawal National Park an excellent alternative to the larger, busier national parks, like the Blue Mountains and Royal National Park.
Top 5 Highlights
In no particular order, here are five fantastic walking tracks and sights to explore in Dharawal National Park.
1. Maddens Falls
Maddens Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall located in the rural area of Darkes Forest, on the eastern side of Dharawal National Park.
A gentle 1 km bushwalk through scenic surroundings leads visitors to a viewing platform, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the waterfall and its natural setting.
The walking track is mostly an elevated boardwalk designed to protect the delicate swamp vegetation. Once you reach the platform, you can also walk across the top of the waterfall to the opposite side for even more scenic views.
To reach Maddens Falls, turn onto Darkes Forest Road from the Princes Highway and continue for about 2.5 km until you see the 10Z management trail signpost.
Read more about Maddens Falls.
2. Minerva Pool Walking Track
Minerva Pool is a large natural waterhole in the northwestern section of Dharawal National Park, accessible by a scenic and relatively easy bushwalk.
Near the end of the trail, a fenced lookout platform provides a stunning view of Minerva Pool from above.
This 3 km return walk is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Good footwear is recommended, as the path can be uneven in places, and a bit of rock scrambling is needed to reach the pool.
Read more about the Minerva Pool walking track.
3. Jingga Walking Track
The 2.5 km return track to Jingga Pool starts from the same trailhead as the path to Minerva Pool, giving you the chance to visit two natural waterholes in one day!
The Jingga track is a bit more challenging, but the reward of swimming in the freshwater lagoon at Jingga Pool makes the effort well worth it.
Read more about the Jingga Pool walking track.
4. O’Hares Creek Lookout
Another enjoyable hike in the Wedderburn section of Dharawal National Park is the short walk to O’Hares Creek Lookout.
This family-friendly, 3 km return bushwalk leads to a spacious lookout platform with spectacular views over O’Hares Creek and the surrounding landscape.
You can park in the car park on Victoria Road to access the start of this easy and scenic trail.
Read more about O’Hares Creek Lookout.
5. 10B Cycling Trail
The 10B Trail is an exciting cycling route that spans Dharawal National Park from north to south, with its northern entrance in Wedderburn and its southern entrance on Appin Road.
This 15 km unsealed road is ideal for mountain biking, featuring a steep descent and ascent at Stokes Creek near the Wedderburn entrance.
Read more about the 10B cycling trail on the NSW National Parks website.
