We despatched Explorer Jono on a mission to fulfill up with a neighborhood 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 situated 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 enormous community of Nationwide Parks, offering an countless checklist of locations for outside fanatics to discover. When heading South of Sydney, Royal Nationwide Park has attracted the plenty because of its proximity to Sydney, and its numerous landscapes.
Nonetheless, 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 outside wants. With picnic and bathroom services in addition to infrastructure tailor-made to accommodate each sort of explorer, it’s the right place for a bit escape.
Dharawal Nationwide Park Historical past
Dharawal Nationwide Park was declared a Nationwide Park in 2012 and is the standard 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 present, with the park defending a number of historical Aboriginal websites, together with drawings and axe-grinding grooves.
Attributable to 70 years of restricted public entry, the realm has been largely undisturbed, that means that intensive pristine parklands await your arrival.
Finest Issues to Do in Dharawal Nationwide Park
Jingga Falls Monitor
Distance: 2.8km return
Has the summer season obtained you feeling like it’s essential to cool off however Kmart is bought 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 Campbelltown, a fire path main off to the suitable marks the start of your stroll to Jingga Falls. Start your stroll right here down a steep observe, although it might look a bit intimidating it’s definitely worth the stroll!
Comply with the observe because it snakes down in the 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 together with your reward, a gorgeous 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 you should definitely maintain 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 obtained your fill of watering holes, Dharawal is the present 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 the bushland and observe the indicators that time you right 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.
While you attain the top, cease and peer over the swimming pools on the lookout however then make your manner right 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 determine to have a swim, paddle out to the rock island on the far finish of the pool (a terrific 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 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 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 properly maintained that means that it’s a simple 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 pink bloodwoods overhead, chances are you’ll even spot a goanna or a wallaby making its manner throughout the observe in your stroll.
A signpost will direct you in the 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 good vantage level to identify some wildlife.
Learn extra:Fowl Nerd Guidelines: Are You One in every of Us?
While you’ve had sufficient time to absorb the view, head again the way in which 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 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 accumulating 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 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 great 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 mates and their bikes and tick this one off the checklist!
Learn extra: What Ought to You Carry In Your Bike Restore Package?
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 singular perspective of the Australian panorama that gives you a brand new appreciation of the Nationwide Park.
The Indigenous Excursions take one among two fashionable 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 guide 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 part of one of many rangers on a gradual stroll by 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 guide.
Maddens Falls
Distance: 1.4km return
In search of a secluded waterfall to sit down beneath? Dharawal has obtained 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 varieties right into a boardwalk. This boardwalk will lead you right down to a lookout that sits above the falls.
While 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 a bit off observe and it’s properly value it.
Traverse the highest of the falls and search for a bit observe to the suitable 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 a bit lunch hamper for you and your crew. For the extra adventurous, the underside of the falls is a brief scramble a bit additional down the rocks.
Return into the bush behind you and make your manner across the ledge in the 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!
While you’re performed for the day, cease for just a few 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 situated?
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 aren’t any designated camp spots within the park, however you can discover some non-public ones close by on HipCamp.
