We despatched Explorer Jono on a mission to fulfill up with an area park ranger to unearth among the gems inside this hardly ever talked about nationwide park simply south of Sydney. That is Dharawal Nationwide Park.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is positioned on the standard Nation of the Dharawal individuals who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for hundreds of years. We pay our respects to them because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Fast Overview
New South Wales is house to an unlimited community of Nationwide Parks, offering an infinite listing of locations for out of doors fanatics to discover. When heading South of Sydney, Royal Nationwide Park has attracted the plenty as a result of its proximity to Sydney, and its various landscapes.
Nevertheless, just a bit additional previous here’s a nationwide park you hardly ever hear of, offering all these issues and extra: Dharawal Nationwide Park.
About Dharawal Nationwide Park
Only a stone’s throw south of Sydney in Campbelltown, this nationwide park has a contact of every thing to fulfill any of your out of doors wants. With picnic and bathroom services in addition to infrastructure tailor-made to accommodate each sort of explorer, it’s the right place for slightly escape.
Learn extra: Keep in mind to go away no hint
Dharawal Nationwide Park Historical past
Dharawal Nationwide Park was declared a Nationwide Park in 2012 and is the standard land of the Dharawal Aboriginal folks. Their longstanding reference to each side of the land on which the park stands remains to be preserved at present, with the park defending a number of historical Aboriginal websites, together with drawings and axe-grinding grooves.
Because of 70 years of restricted public entry, the realm has been largely undisturbed, which means that in depth pristine parklands await your arrival.
Finest Issues to Do in Dharawal Nationwide Park
Jingga Falls Monitor
Distance: 2.8km return
Has the summer season received you feeling like you must cool off however Kmart is offered out of pedestal followers? Jingga Falls is the right answer.
Within the language of the Dharawal, in relation to water, jingga means ‘nice and sweet’ and this little identified paradise delivers precisely that.
Following the path from the park’s northwestern entry by means of Campbelltown, a fire path main off to the proper marks the start of your stroll to Jingga Falls. Start your stroll right here down a steep monitor, although it could look slightly intimidating it’s well worth the stroll!
Observe the monitor because it snakes down in direction of your vacation spot, however don’t neglect to look as much as benefit from the eucalyptus and the dramatic sandstone formations that encompass you. As you attain the final bend within the monitor you’ll be greeted along with your reward, an attractive freshwater watering gap beckoning you on the horizon.
Take a dip beneath the falls and swim downstream to discover the O’Hares Creek in all its glory. Discover a spot by the creek to sunbathe or have a picnic and remember to preserve your eyes peeled among the native fauna stopping by for a swim!
Learn extra: Waterfall & Swimming Gap Security
Minerva Swimming pools
Distance: 2.4km return
If you happen to haven’t received your fill of watering holes, Dharawal is the reward that retains on giving.
Coming into the park once more at its northwestern entry, the path for the Minerva Swimming pools is signposted and earlier than the flip off to the Jingga Falls Monitor. Take a calming stroll down by means of the bushland and comply with the indicators that time you all the way down to Minerva Swimming pools.
In your manner, be looking out for among the animals that decision this bushland house just like the swamp wallaby or a yellow-tailed black cockatoo.
Once you attain the tip, cease and peer over the swimming pools on the lookout however then make your manner all the way down to the pristine waterhole. Dip your toes within the working water flowing down a small cascade into the swimming pools beneath and take within the view.
If you happen to resolve to have a swim, paddle out to the rock island on the far finish of the pool (an amazing little spot to sunbathe or to leap off again into the swimming pools!).
Minerva Pool has been recognized as a sacred ladies’s place for the Dharawal Folks. Out of respect, it’s requested solely ladies and kids enter the waters of the pool.
Learn extra: Sacred Aboriginal Websites to Keep away from Climbing
O’Hares Lookout
Distance: 2.8km return
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a fast stroll by means of among the pristine bushland with out having to journey too far that is the one for you.
Take a stroll beginning on the automobile park on the northwestern entry to the park through Campbelltown. The flat sealed bitumen monitor that leads you to O’Hares lookout is properly maintained which means that it’s a simple stroll that can also be wheelchair, pram, and mobility scooter accessible.
Learn extra: 4 Concepts for Accessible Adventures in NSW
Take within the surrounding landscapes consisting of scribbly gums and pink bloodwoods overhead, you might even spot a goanna or a wallaby making its manner throughout the monitor in your stroll.
A signpost will direct you in direction of the lookout after a brief stroll, take a proper flip and shortly sufficient the bushland will open up right into a scenic vista wanting down over the deep gorges, rock swimming pools and rugged panorama carved from the Hawkesbury sandstone.
If you happen to’re into birdwatching don’t neglect your binoculars as this can be a excellent vantage level to identify some wildlife.
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Once you’ve had sufficient time to absorb the view, head again the best way you got here and cease on the secluded picnic space surrounded by bushland (however very near the automobile park) for a chunk to eat!
Subsequent to the toilet services, you’ll find picnic tables (additionally purpose-built for wheelchair accessibility, yay!). Unpack your lunch right here and chill out for a second longer earlier than you head house.
10B Cycle Path
Distance: 30km return
Do not forget that mountain bike within the shed amassing cobwebs? The 10B Biking Path is the right purpose to mud them off and get again on the saddle.
Learn extra: A Newbie’s Information to Mountain Biking
It’s accessible from the park’s northeastern entry and follows an unsealed highway by means of open forest and huge woodlands alongside a sandstone ridge. For essentially the most half, the path is a medium-grade experience however the final three kilometres is the place you earn your stripes!
The descent into Stokes Creek Gorge means a very good slog as you experience again up into the park’s northern entrance at Wedderburn. This path is ideal for newbie and intermediate riders in addition to small teams. So seize your folks and their bikes and tick this one off the listing!
Learn extra: What Ought to You Carry In Your Bike Restore Equipment?
Guided Indigenous Walks and Sensory Tour
Uncover the indigenous heritage of Dharawal Nationwide Park on a guided strolling tour that runs the second Saturday of every month, between February and November.
Led by an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger, these guided excursions will present a novel perspective of the Australian panorama that offers you a brand new appreciation of the Nationwide Park.
The Indigenous Excursions take one in all two fashionable tracks on the nationwide park specifically, the O’Hares Creek Lookout and the Minerva Swimming pools monitor. Every tour lasts 1.5 hours and prices $15.
That is an expertise to not be missed. Locations are restricted and bookings are important, so head right here to e-book your spot.
Along with their Guided Indigenous Walks, the park additionally boasts a brand new Summer time Sequence Sensory Stroll on the third Saturday in December and January.
Be a part of one of many rangers on a sluggish stroll by means of the park the place the main focus is on the journey and experiencing the park’s environment with all of your five senses. Style bush meals, contact and odor the varied native vegetation, and listen to the sounds of the bush on this inclusive stroll appropriate for everybody. Head right here to e-book.
Maddens Falls
Distance: 1.4km return
On the lookout for a secluded waterfall to take a seat beneath? Dharawal has received you coated as soon as once more.
Enter the park’s japanese entry from Helensburgh onto Darkes Forest Street and park your automobile simply after the Glenbernie Orchard. The stroll begins on a fire path that heads down the hill which types right into a boardwalk. This boardwalk will lead you all the way down to a lookout that sits above the falls.
Once you arrive on the lookout take a second to benefit from the view however the journey doesn’t cease right here. To resolve Maddens Falls right here is the place you go slightly off monitor and it’s properly value it.
Traverse the highest of the falls and search for slightly monitor to the proper main all the way down to the first ledge of the falls. This part of rock is a good picnic spot, so don’t neglect to pack some slightly lunch hamper for you and your crew. For the extra adventurous, the underside of the falls is a brief scramble slightly additional down the rocks.
Return into the bush behind you and make your manner across the ledge in direction of the underside of the falls, this part is a bit more tough to navigate so don’t go down if you happen to aren’t confident you may get again up!
Once you’re executed for the day, cease for a number of apples or an ice-cold cider on the Glenbernie Orchard. I dare you to find a greater approach to finish your day!
FAQs for Dharawal Nationwide Park
The place is Dharawal Nationwide Park positioned?
Dharawal Nationwide Park is barely an hour’s drive south of Sydney, close to Appin and Wedderburn.
Are there picnic tables and bogs within the park?
The park has picnic tables and bogs dotted all through, primarily close to fashionable spots like Minerva Pool.
Is tenting allowed in Dharawal Nationwide Park?
Sadly, there are not any designated camp spots within the park, however you could possibly discover some non-public ones close by on HipCamp.
