Heathcote to Audley

Heathcote to Audley

Dharawal Country

3 h to 5 h

10 km
oneway

↑ 273 m
↓ -454 m

Hard track

Passing through scrub and heath, this track goes into the Royal National Park along a well-managed bush track, passing great pools and sections of creek at Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls. With some lovely rest spots at both of these places (especially with the toilet at Uloola), this walk is very pleasant. Coming into Audley, there are great views of the Hacking River, and once at Audley, the visitor centre is a good spot to grab a bite to eat. 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.

The Karloo Bushtrack

Karloo Pools

The Rockshelves at Karloo Pools

The heath

Uloola Creek

On the ridge between Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls

The Hacking River from Robertson's Roundabout

The walking bridge across the Hacking River

The Royal National Park Visitor Centre

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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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-34.0879669,151.0084376)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.)
Directions	From , Sutherland Shire.
Finish	At the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Sir Bertram Stevens Drive (-34.0752698,151.0565694)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)

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. There is a car park (about 30 m back from the start). After another 40 m turn right. Find the toilet at the start. After another 20 m turn left.
	After another 35 m (from the Wilson Parade) turn right, to head along Wilson Parade (a highway\|tertiary). After another 15 m (from the Wilson Parade) turn left (a walking track). After another 20 m pass the "Heathcote To Waterfall Info Board" (9 m on your right).
	After another 70 m continue straight.
	After another 205 m (from the East Heathcote Trail) continue straight (a walking track).
	After another 190 m (from the Karloo Track) continue straight, to head along Karloo Track.
	After another 420 m (from the Karloo Track) 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 find the "Karloo Pool" (20 m on your left). 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. After another 25 m pass the sign.
	At the intersection of Karloo Track & Bottle Forest Track veer right, to head along Karloo Track.
	After another 345 m (from the Karloo Track) turn left, to head along Karloo Track. After another 950 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left). After another 310 m come to the "Uloola Turrets" (25 m on your right). After another 35 m come to the "Uloola Turrets" (35 m on your left).
	From the Karloo Track continue straight, to head along Karloo Track. After another 580 m pass the "Uloola Falls" (7 m on your left). After another 5 m cross the ford.
	At the intersection of Karloo Track & Uloola Brook continue straight, to head along Karloo Track. After another 10 m find the "Ulloola Falls Campsite" (10 m on your left). 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. After another 35 m pass the sign. Then pass the "Uloola Falls Toilet" (about 15 m ahead).
	At the intersection of Uloola Track & Uloola Trail turn sharp left, to head along Uloola Track. After another 20 m pass the sign.
	After another 670 m (at the intersection of Uloola Track & Peach Trees Trig Station Track) continue straight, to head along Uloola Track. After another 1.6 km come to the viewpoint (30 m on your right).
	After another 490 m (at the intersection of Uloola Track & Wattle Forest Track) continue straight, to head along Uloola Track. After another 380 m pass the summit (9 m on your left).
	After another 880 m (at the intersection of Robertsons Roundabout & Uloola Track) turn right, to head along Robertsons Roundabout.
	After another 640 m (from the Robertsons Roundabout) veer right, to head along Robertsons Roundabout. After another 120 m pass the shelter (40 m on your left). After another 25 m find the "Currawong Flats" (10 m on your left). Currawong Flats Currawong Flats is a large picnic area on the banks of the Hacking River in the Royal National Park. Carrawong Flats is on the western bank for the the Hacking River, Opposite Audley and just south of the junction with Kangaroo Creek. The picnic area can be accessed by car or by foot by a wooden bridge, to Audley. The picnic area has a large flat and open grassy area with some shade from trees. There is a car park, toilets, garbage facilities, fire pit BBQ's, and picnic tables. Swimming and use of boats is not permitted in this section of the river. After another 45 m pass the "Currawong Flat" (25 m on your right).
	After another 45 m (from the Engadine Track) veer left, to head along Engadine Track. After another 40 m cross the bridge (about 55 m long)
	At the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Engadine Track turn left, to head along Lady Carrington Drive. After another 75 m pass the car park (on your left).
	From the Lady Carrington Drive veer right, to head along Lady Carrington Drive. Then pass the water tap (20 m on your left). After another 40 m find the "Commonwealth Pavilion" (10 m on your left). Commonwealth Pavilion The large sheltered 'Commonwealth Pavilion' picnic area offers 19 picnic tables and 4 single gas bbqs (high 90cm, grill area 43cm wide). From the picnic area there are beautiful views over the Hacking River and the picnic area. This is a great spot to see Cockatoos. There is a cafe, information center, toilets and other facilities nearby. After another 6 m find the "Picnic Table" (15 m on your left). Picnic Table 19 timber slat picnic tables and bench seats. The tables are 79cm high, 92cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 45cm high, 30cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest). Then find the "Ironbark Flat Picnic Area" (40 m on your left). Ironbark Flat Picnic Area Ironbark Flat Picnic Area is a picturesque riverside spot offering scenic views of the Hacking River. Visitors can enjoy barbecues, play on the grassy areas, and watch ducks. For more adventure, consider exploring the Uloola walking track or taking in the views from the Bungoona lookout. Whether you seek relaxation or birdwatching, Ironbark Flat Picnic Area has something to offer. After another 20 m find the "Seat" (30 m on your left). Seat 2 long timber slat bench seats on stone walls just beside the path, each 40cm high, 50cm deep, no backrest. Then pass the shelter (6 m on your left). After another 9 m find the "Audley Cafe" (15 m on your left). Audley Cafe 'Weir Cafe' is located at the 'Audley Dancehall' building. The building is separated into two areas, one is the cafe and the other one is the 'Royal National Park Visitor Centre' with a gift shop. Hot and cold food as well as drinks availble. Lunch meals range from about $15-25. After another 15 m come to "Audley". Audley Audley in the Royal National Park is where you will find the visitor information center, toilets, kiosk, boat shed (row boat hire), weir, water, BBQ's and plenty of picnic facilities. Take a step back in time and explore some of the preserved building like the old dance hall, enjoy wandering the grounds or grab an ice cream. A gate. sunrise-sunset About 10 m past the end is "Royal National Park Visitor Center". About 20 m past the end is "Audley Dancehall - Disabled". Then find the "Audley Picnic area" (20 m on your left). Audley Picnic area Audley Picnic area is a large grassy area with beautiful views across the Hacking River. There are 2 picnic tables with 2 sheltered double gas BBQs. A few benches are scattered around the area. Closer to the 'Audley Dancehall' building there's a signposted toilet block (just up the short staircase). About 30 m past the end is "Ironbark Flat".
	Continue another 0 m to find at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive & Sir Bertram Stevens Drive at the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Heathcote to Audley

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	10 km
Time	3 h to 5 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
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

Campsite: There is one 4.8 km from the start.

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.3 km apart with the largest gap of 9.6 km.

Toilet: There are 5 on route, on average they are 1.7 km apart with the largest gap of 4.9 km.

Seat: There is one 10 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	55 m	[toilet]
Campsite	4.8 km	Ulloola Falls Campsite
Toilet	4.8 km	Uloola Falls Toilet
Shelter	9.6 km	[shelter]
Toilet	9.7 km	Currawong Flat
Seat	10 km	Seat
Shelter	10 km	[shelter]
Toilet	10 km	Ironbark Flat
Toilet	10 km	Audley Dancehall - Disabled

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
Wildwalks | Heathcote to Audley - Bushwalking NSW | Heathcote and Audley Circuit - Trail 43 | Dusk Swimming at Karloo Pools - We are Explorers | Karloo Pool - Hiking the World | Uloola Falls campground | Royal National Park
Videos

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  Showers. Windy.
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm along the coastal fringe early this evening. Winds southerly 25 to 35 km/h tending southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the evening.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  15°C → 20°C
  Showers. Windy.
  90% chance of rain
  3 → 20mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:00am to 1:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  16°C → 20°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 6mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southerly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  17°C → 22°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog in the outer west. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  17°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  17°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Tuesday 6 May
  
  16°C → 25°C
  Sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 7 May
  
  17°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeast to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
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