Heathcote to Waterfall via Uloola

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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	(-34.0880118,151.0085082)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From 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

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 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 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). W:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au 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.

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

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	110 m	[toilet]
Campsite	4.8 km	Ulloola Falls Campsite
Camp site	4.8 km	Uloola Falls Bush Campground
Toilet	4.9 km	[toilet]
Toilet	5 km	[toilet]
Toilet	11 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

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.

Get more information
Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Friday 25 October
  
  19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, mostly likely this afternoon. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then tending south to southeasterly 25 to 35 km/h in the early afternoon.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:10pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 26 October
  
  13°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting easterly in the afternoon.
  
  Sunday 27 October
  
  13°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 28 October
  
  16°C → 26°C
  Possible shower developing.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Sunny morning. Medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Tuesday 29 October
  
  15°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Wednesday 30 October
  
  15°C → 21°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning southerly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning.
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  16°C → 21°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Royal National Park alerts
  Other planned events: Track and trail delays due to helicopter operations
  NPWS Staff are undertaking helicopter operations at Garawarra Farm in Royal National Park from 8am to 3pm Friday 25 October 2024.
  Some short delays for walkers in the area. Follow the directions of NPWS Staff.
  
  Garawarra Farm carpark is open.
  
  Access to Figure 8 Pools and surrounding tracks are open including The Burgh Track and Garawarra Ridge Trail.
  
  For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Big Marley vehicle trail closed for upgrade
  Big Marley vehicle trail in Royal National Park is closed on weekdays from Tuesday 15 October to Friday 29 November 2024 due to construction works.
  Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  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.
  
  Bushwalker access is available for the following sections of The Coast 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.
  
  For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Figtree Flat carpark closed for resurfacing
  The carpark at Figtree Flat picnic area will be closed from Monday 14 October 2024 until Friday 25 October 2024 for resurfacing works. This closure may be extended depending on conditions. There's an alternative carpark nearby at Willow Tree Flat.
  For more information, contact the Royal National Parks Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  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.
  
  These closures will be signposted at entry points to the closed areas. If you have approved bookings to camp you can still access campsites during these times.
  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.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

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