We despatched Explorer Jono on a mission to satisfy up with an area park ranger to unearth among the gems inside this not often talked about nationwide park simply south of Sydney. That is Dharawal Nationwide Park.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is positioned on the normal 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 countless listing of locations for out of doors fans to discover. When heading South of Sydney, Royal Nationwide Park has attracted the lots as a result of its proximity to Sydney, and its various landscapes.
Nonetheless, just a bit additional previous here’s a nationwide park you not often 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 part to satisfy 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: Bear 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 normal land of the Dharawal Aboriginal individuals. Their longstanding reference to each aspect of the land on which the park stands remains to be preserved at the moment, with the park defending a number of historic 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.
Greatest Issues to Do in Dharawal Nationwide Park
Jingga Falls Monitor
Distance: 2.8km return
Has the summer time bought you feeling like you want to cool off however Kmart is offered out of pedestal followers? Jingga Falls is the right resolution.
Within the language of the Dharawal, in relation to water, jingga means ‘nice and sweet’ and this little recognized paradise delivers precisely that.
Following the path from the park’s northwestern entry via Campbelltown, a fire path main off to the fitting marks the start of your stroll to Jingga Falls. Start your stroll right here down a steep observe, although it might look slightly intimidating it’s well worth the stroll!
Comply with the observe 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 observe you’ll be greeted along with your reward, a stupendous 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 make sure you 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
When you haven’t bought your fill of watering holes, Dharawal is the present that retains on giving.
Getting 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 via the bushland and comply with the indicators that time you right down to Minerva Swimming pools.
In your means, 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 means right down to the pristine waterhole. Dip your toes within the working water flowing down a small cascade into the swimming pools under and take within the view.
When you resolve to have a swim, paddle out to the rock island on the far finish of the pool (an ideal little spot to sunbathe or to leap off again into the swimming pools!).
Minerva Pool has been recognized as a sacred girls’s place for the Dharawal Individuals. Out of respect, it’s requested solely girls and youngsters enter the waters of the pool.
Learn extra: Sacred Aboriginal Websites to Keep away from Climbing
O’Hares Lookout
Distance: 2.8km return
When you’re on the lookout for a fast stroll via 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 by way of Campbelltown. The flat sealed bitumen observe that leads you to O’Hares lookout is nicely maintained which means that it’s a straightforward stroll that can 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 crimson bloodwoods overhead, you might even spot a goanna or a wallaby making its means throughout the observe 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 trying down over the deep gorges, rock swimming pools and rugged panorama carved from the Hawkesbury sandstone.
When you’re into birdwatching don’t neglect your binoculars as it is a excellent vantage level to identify some wildlife.
Learn extra:Hen Nerd Guidelines: Are You One among Us?
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 chew to eat!
Subsequent to the lavatory services, you’ll find picnic tables (additionally purpose-built for wheelchair accessibility, yay!). Unpack your lunch right here and calm down for a second longer earlier than you head house.
10B Cycle Path
Distance: 30km return
Keep in mind 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 street via 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 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 gives you a brand new appreciation of the Nationwide Park.
The Indigenous Excursions take one in every of two widespread tracks on the nationwide park specifically, the O’Hares Creek Lookout and the Minerva Swimming pools observe. 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 gradual stroll via 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 scent 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 sit down beneath? Dharawal has bought 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 right 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 observe and it’s nicely value it.
Traverse the highest of the falls and search for slightly observe to the fitting main right 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 means 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 in the event you aren’t confident you may get again up!
Once you’re achieved 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 method to finish your day!
FAQs for Dharawal Nationwide Park
The place is Dharawal Nationwide Park positioned?
Dharawal Nationwide Park is just an hour’s drive south of Sydney, close to Appin and Wedderburn.
Are there picnic tables and bathrooms within the park?
The park has picnic tables and bathrooms dotted all through, primarily close to widespread spots like Minerva Pool.
Is tenting allowed in Dharawal Nationwide Park?
Sadly, there aren’t any designated camp spots within the park, however you possibly can discover some non-public ones close by on HipCamp.
