Minerva Pool Walking Track in Dharawal National Park

Minerva Pool is a stunning natural waterhole in Dharawal National Park, accessible by a short, relatively easy bushwalking track.

Toward the end of the trail, a fenced lookout platform provides scenic views of the pool and its surrounding landscape.

The walking track to Minerva Pool is in Wedderburn, in the north-western section of Dharawal National Park, about 60 km south of Sydney’s CBD.

To reach the track, follow Victoria Road in Wedderburn until you arrive at the entrance gate to the national park, where Victoria Road transitions into a management trail (see location on map).

A free, reasonably sized car park is situated right at the entrance, with an information board displaying maps and details about the area.

The map below provides an overview of the Minerva Pool walking track’s location, with the parking area conveniently close to the trailhead.

The walking track to Minerva Pool is relatively easy, suitable for all fitness levels. However, with a few steep sections and a sometimes-rough surface, we recommend wearing hiking shoes.

The track begins on a dirt road, transitioning to a bushland path that leads to the lookout and pool. The official starting point is a few hundred metres from the car park and is signposted.

At the signpost (see above), turn right and follow the fire trail until you reach an intersection marked by a Minerva Pool sign. At this intersection, turn left to head into the bush.

From here, the track becomes a scenic bushwalk through beautiful surroundings. While the surface can be a bit challenging in places, the path is easy to follow overall.

Towards the end of the walk, you’ll come across an intersection with a short detour leading to the Minerva Pool Lookout.

Lookout

This purpose-built viewing platform is a fenced lookout that provides superb views of the entire Minerva Pool.

In the middle of the pool, you’ll spot a uniquely shaped stone island that, while somewhat out of place, adds a distinct character to the scenery.

After taking in the views from the lookout, retrace your steps to the main track for the final stretch to Minerva Pool.

Minerva Pool

A bit of rock scrambling is required to get closer to the pool, but it’s quite manageable. The path eventually leads to a spot right above the small waterfall that cascades into Minerva Pool.

The rocky areas around the pool are perfect for a picnic or simply soaking up the sun in this beautiful natural setting.

While there’s plenty to explore around the pool, the official walking track does not extend beyond this point.

To Swim or Not to Swim?

On a warm, sunny day, it can be tempting to take a dip in Minerva Pool, but there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Minerva Pool holds cultural significance for the Dharawal traditional owners, and as such, only women and children are permitted to enter its waters.

While visitors are welcome to explore this beautiful spot in Dharawal National Park, respecting its cultural importance is essential.

If you do decide to go for a swim in Minerva Pool, please keep the following in mind:

• It’s deep:
  The middle of the pool is quite deep, so if you’re not a good swimmer, it’s best not to go in.
• It’s slippery:
  It can be very slippery on the rocks surrounding the pool, so please be cautious at all times.
• Jumping in:
  There aren’t any spots where you can walk into Minerva Pool, so jumping is the only option. Please try to find a spot where you don’t have to jump from a high point and watch out for any large underwater rocks.
• Don’t leave rubbish:
  As always, please don’t leave rubbish behind in the bush.

More Exploring Nearby

The track to Minerva Pool is relatively short, but there are more great hikes and sights nearby to explore and make a day of it.

The Jingga Track is similar to the walking track to Minerva Pool and also leads to a beautiful natural water hole. This slightly more challenging track starts at the Victoria Road fire trail, where the car park is.

Be mindful that this walk is very steep, which makes the return trip all the more challenging. It’s worth the effort though, because the pool is beautiful.

Also starting from the Victoria Road car park is the easy walking track to the scenic O’Hares Creek Lookout.

This is a family-friendly 2.5 km return walk through scenic bushland, leading to a large lookout platform that offers spectacular views over O’Hares Creek and its surroundings.

Read our guide on things to do in Dharawal National Park for a complete overview of walks and lookouts in this beautiful area.