Info
walking distance: 5.0 kmduration: 0:00 h
walking: 0:00 h
elevation diff: m
location: royal national park
driving distance: 70 km
driving time: 1 h
water available: yes
parking: -34.0879,151.0086
gps tracks
Max elevation: 0 m
Min elevation: 0 m
Total climbing: 0 m
Video
Track notes
karloo pools is supposed to be nice and it is only 2.5km from the car.
it is most likely fairly busy place in the summer
Uloola Track (Heathcote to Waterfall)
http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/royal-national-park/uloola-track.html
“Karloo Pools are nice but rest of the track is pretty ‘meh'”
Walk Highlights
- Distance: 11 km one way
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Location: Royal National Park, Sydney, near Heathcote train station
- Facilities: Toilets and camping at Uloola Falls
- Getting There: Catch a train to Heathcote from Central Station
- Highlights: Swimming at Karloo Pools, sitting above the waterfall at Uloola
Walking Track Description
If you’re looking for a longer bush walk near Sydney, or an easy two-day walk with overnight camping, then try the Uloola Track, in the Royal National Park. At just over 11 kms long, the trail begins at Heathcote train station and ends at Waterfall train station, so it’s easily accessed with a train from the city. The walk includes a number of small creek crossings, swimming pools and a waterfall (seasonal) near the camping area.
Heathcote to Karloo Pools
From Heathcote train station, head east to Wilson St and past the Fire Brigade (SES) buldings to the start of the Karloo track. Descending away from the train station, the walking trail soon crosses Heathcote Brook and then climbs across broad rock shelfs to a ridge.
The trail follows this ridge east along a valley for about 2 kms until it crosses Heathcote Brook again, at Karloo Pools. A great spot for a swim and a picnic, Karloo Pools are a collection of freshwater billabongs formed at a sharp bend in Heatthcote Brook. There is plenty of leafy shade covering the flat rocks around the pools, which support all manner of birds and lizards.
Karloo Pools to Uloola Falls
Another 2.5 kms on from Karloo Pools is the camp ground at Uloola Falls. From Karloo Pools, the Uloola Track climbs up the valley for about 1 km, before heading across a rocky plateau at the top. Keep a close eye out for the yellow and red stripes painted on rocks that show the way across the plateau, as the track is easy to lose in places. Eventually the track leaves the plateau, descending south east towards Heathcote Brook and Uloola Falls.
Uloola Falls Campground
This basic camping area has a toilet and enough space for about 6 tents, there is no water available (unless you boil/treat water from the brook) and fires are not permitted. Booking must be made with NPWS on 02 9542 068.
Uloola Falls to Waterfall
From the campsite, follow the walking signs up and over a rocky ridge for about 0.5 km. Flattening out, the track joins a wide, sandy fire trail which winds all the way back to the cricket oval behind Waterfall station, 5 km away. At the cricket oval, look to the west for signs highlighting the last stretch of the track to the train station.
Walking Trail Map
Alerts
Royal National Park
Other planned events: Ironbark Flat picnic area partial closure
Some sections of Ironbark Flat picnic area, particularly near the river foreshore, will be closed from Wednesday 12 June 2024 until the end of August 2024, dependant on conditions. The closure is due to post-flood turf repairs and to allow the new turf to establish.
Please take note of signage and barriers in place protecting the work area.
The Audley Dancehall and Cafe, Royal National Park Visitor Centre and unaffected portions of the picnic areas will remain open to visitors during the repair works.
For further information, please contact Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
Other planned events: Pay Machine notice
Pay machines in this park are being upgraded from Thursday 22nd of July to Thursday 1st of August 2024.
The upgrade is designed to enhance reliability for your convenience. During this process park use fees can be paid as follows:
- Coin payments may not be accepted at pay machines; however, credit card payments are accepted.
- Credit card payments can also be made at vehicle entry stations, Royal National Park Visitor Centre, and the Park’nPay app.
- Cash payments can be made at the Royal National Park Visitor Centre.
Closed areas: The Coast track partial closure
Walking the full length of The Coast track from Otford to Bundeena or Bundeena to Otford is not currently possible due to several track closures along its length. These closures are necessary due to erosion, rockfall risk and ongoing track upgrade works.
Please note the following closures:
- Palm Jungle Loop track between Burning Palms, Werrong lookout is closed for track upgrades and storm impact remediation until December 2024.
- The Garie to Little Garie section of The Coast track is closed due to hazardous rockfalls and erosion.
- North Era campground is closed until further notice.
- Garie Road, Garie Beach and the Garie precinct is closed until further notice due to damage and subsidence of the road surface. Walkers approaching from the north (e.g. from Wattamolla or Bundeena) should exit the track via Curra Moors track.
- South bound access - Bundeena to Curra Moors track via Wattamolla and return only. No access to Garie Beach.
- North bound access - is via Garawarra Farm Ridge trail and Burgh Ridge track to North Era and return, during track upgrades.
- Figure 8 Pools access - Access via Garawarra Farm only to Garawarra Ridge trail and Burgh Ridge track.
Closed areas: Temptation Creek track and trail closures
Fire trails and walking tracks in the Temptation Creek Precinct will be closed on weekdays from Monday 8 July to Friday 6 September 2024 for fire trail maintenance works. The closed areas are:
- Florence Parade vehicle trail, between Farnell Avenue and Grays Point Road.
- Anana Hill vehicle trail, between Angle Road and Greenhaven Road.
- Temptation Creek vehicle trail
- Gardiners Garage vehicle trail
- Northern section of Rawson Parade vehicle trail. The section between Loftus Oval and the NPWS Royal National Park area office carpark will remain open.
- Grays Point School walking track
- Savilles Creek walking track.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 9542 0632.
Closed areas: Areas closed for deer control program
Some areas in Royal National Park are closed to the public between sunset and sunrise from Wednesday 30 May to Friday 29 December 2024 to enable a deer control operation to be carried out.
The affected areas include:
- All picnic areas in the Audley precinct
- Asset protection zones adjacent to Maianbar, Bundeena and East Heathcote.
- Wattamolla and Garie picnic areas
- North Era campground and coastal areas between Garie Beach and Figure 8 Pools
- Garrawarra Farm
- Lady Carrington Drive
- Bonnie Vale campground and picnic area.
Ground shooting will not take place during school holidays or on weekends or public holidays.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
Closed areas: Werrong Beach track
Werrong Beach track in Royal National Park is closed until further notice due to landslides. Signs will be in place around the closed area.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
Closed areas: North Era campground closed
North Era campground is closed until further notice due to operational activities. For more information please contact the local area office on 02 9542 0648.
Safety alerts: Curra Moors track in poor condition
Sections of Curra Moors loop track are in poor condition due to erosion. Please use caution and be aware of unstable edges.
Planning for repairs is in progress. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
Closed areas: Garie Road closed due to damage
Garie Road is closed until further notice due to damage to the road surface.
This road may remain closed for some time to allow for extensive repairs. A reopening date is not currently known.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check Live Traffic NSW for updates before driving to Garie Beach.