Heathcote to Waterfall via Uloola
Dharawal Country

4 h to 4 h 30 min

11 km
oneway

↑ 320 m
↓ -281 m

Hard track
This pleasant walk takes you from Heathcote to Waterfall Station. This walk ventures into central Royal National Park along a well maintained bush track. The walk goes via a beautiful set of waterholes and rock flats at Karloo Pools. The walk continues to the peaceful campsite at Uloola Falls and then along a service trail, to Waterfall Railway Station. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharawal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Just east of Heathcote. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The view from the top. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The Rockshelves at Karloo Pools. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Karloo Pools. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The view of the valley between Karloo Pools and Ulloola Falls. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The clearing just south of Ulloola Falls. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The Ulloola Servicetrail. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The Waterfall end of the servicetrail. | Photo by admin
The toilet at Uloola Falls Campsite. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Downloads GPX PDF

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-34.0880118,151.0085082)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.) Train
DirectionsFrom M5 Motorway, M5
  • Turn on to Fairford Road Offramp then drive for 400 m
  • Continue onto Fairford Road Offramp, A6 and drive for another 15.3 km
  • Keep left onto New Illawarra Road, A6 and drive for another 55 m
  • Turn left onto Heathcote Road, A6 and drive for another 5.5 km
  • Continue onto Wilson Parade and drive for another 115 m
  • Turn right onto Wilson Parade and drive for another 1.1 km
  • Turn right and drive for another 95 m
Finish (-34.1351581,150.994844)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.) Train  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From Heathcote Station, this walk heads south-east along Wilson Parade following the railway tracks. Shortly after passing the emergency services centre, the track comes to an intersection with a bush track signposted as the 'Karloo Track'.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 70 m pass the toilet (35 m on your right).
Turn right, to head along Wilson Parade.
After another 15 m turn left.
After another 25 m pass the "Heathcote To Waterfall Info Board" (10 m on your right).
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 205 m continue straight.
After another 190 m continue straight, to head along Karloo Track.
After another 420 m continue straight, to head along Karloo Track.
After another 1.5 km (at the intersection of Karloo Track & Kangaroo Creek Track) continue straight, to head along Karloo Track.
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Karloo Track & Bottle Forest Track) veer right, to head along Karloo Track.
After another 25 m find the "Karloo Pool" (20 m on your left).
Karloo Pool
Karloo Pool

Karloo Pool is a popular swimming hole and informal picnic area. The pool is on junction of Kangaroo Creek and Heathcote brook, south east of Heathcote in the Royal National Park. The pool is surrounded by some very interesting rock formations, and a number of small cascades. There is some natural shade from the surrounding trees. There are no facilities.
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Karloo Pool is a popular swimming hole and informal picnic area. The pool is on junction of Kangaroo Creek and Heathcote brook, south east of Heathcote in the Royal National Park. The pool is surrounded by some very interesting rock formations, and a number of small cascades. There is some natural shade from the surrounding trees. There are no facilities.

After another 6 m pass the sign.
After another 315 m turn left, to head along Karloo Track.
After another 1.3 km come to the "Uloola Turrets" (30 m on your right).
After another 10 m continue straight, to head along Karloo Track.
After another 590 m cross the ford.
After another 10 m pass the "Uloola Falls" (8 m on your left).
Then find the "Ulloola Falls Campsite" (10 m on your left).
Ulloola Falls Campsite
Ulloola Falls Campsite

This clearing has six camping sites (maximum of 18 people), and wood fires are not allowed. The site has a toilet, and there is usually water in the creek (treat before drinking). In drier periods, contact rangers regarding water availability. Pre-arranged camping permits are essential.
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This clearing has six camping sites (maximum of 18 people), and wood fires are not allowed. The site has a toilet, and there is usually water in the creek (treat before drinking). In drier periods, contact rangers regarding water availability. Pre-arranged camping permits are essential.

After another 35 m pass the sign.
At the intersection of Karloo Track & Uloola Track continue straight, to head along Uloola Trail.
After another 8 m come to the "Uloola Falls Bush Campground" (on your left).
There is a fee to use this campsite.
After another 25 m pass the toilet (on your right).
After another 135 m pass the toilet (9 m on your left).
After another 550 m veer left, to head along Uloola Fire Trail.
After another 1.1 km turn right.
After another 25 m turn left.
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Uloola Fire Trail.
After another 1.3 km continue straight.
After another 1.7 km (at the intersection of Uloola Fire Trail & Couranga Track) continue straight, to head along Uloola Fire Trail.
After another 7 m pass the sign (5 m on your left).
After another 550 m head through/around the gate.
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Uloola Falls Trail & Uloola Fire Trail) veer right, to head along Uloola Falls Trail (a walking track).
After another 360 m (at the intersection of Kangaroo Creek Track & Uloola Falls Trail) continue straight, to head along Uloola Falls Trail.
After another 100 m head up the steps (about 10 m long)
Then pass the sign (on your left).
After another 7 m turn left.
After another 20 m turn right.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 50 m come to the end.
About 120 m past the end is a toilet.
About 105 m past the end is a water tap.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Heathcote to Waterfall via Uloola


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 11 km
Time 4 h to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Camp site: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.7 km apart with the largest gap of 6.2 km.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 2.2 km apart with the largest gap of 6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
110 m[toilet]
Campsite
4.8 kmUlloola Falls Campsite
Camp site
4.8 kmUloola Falls Bush Campground
Toilet
4.9 km[toilet]
Toilet
5 km[toilet]
Toilet
11 km[toilet]
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Articles
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