Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 Days
10.8 km One way
503 m
Hard track
(0km) Heathcote Railway Station → End of Freeman Rd
1 km
17 mins
4m
-24m
Very easy
From the station, this walk follows the footpath towards the highway, passing the left side of the car park, until it reaches the highway, which it crosses at the traffic lights. The walk continues along Oliver Street for a while before coming to the intersection with Boundary Road. Here, this walk turns left, following the road for a short distance before taking the first right onto Freemans Road and continuing past the large scout camp, to the end of the road, where it comes to the intersection with the management trail at the corner of Bella Vista Street.
(1.03km) End of Freeman Rd → Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks
1.7 km
37 mins
49m
-134m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, crossing under the high tension power lines and bending around to the right a short distance, before coming back around to the left and passing a management trail (which heads behind some houses). The walk continues down the hill, passing another trail on the left as the hill steepens and comes to an intersection with a rough bush track, opposite the power line tower at the bottom of the trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track on the opposite side of the management trail to the power line tower. The walk passes a burnt-out car shell before turning down the long steep hill and winding down to the ‘T’ intersection with a wider track.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the track heading down along the side of the hill and through the thick bush. After a short while, the track comes to a large concrete pipeline, crossing it at the metal platform to the intersection with the management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mirang Pool’ arrow along the asphalt trail down the long hill. After a short while, the trail bends around to the left, turning back towards the pipeline, and continues downhill until it flattens out and crosses a bridge at the pipeline. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, following the pipeline (with Heathcote Creek down the hill on the right) for a while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Mirang Pool track.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track on the opposite side of the management trail to the power line tower. The walk passes a burnt-out car shell before turning down the long steep hill and winding down to the ‘T’ intersection with a wider track.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the track heading down along the side of the hill and through the thick bush. After a short while, the track comes to a large concrete pipeline, crossing it at the metal platform to the intersection with the management trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mirang Pool’ arrow along the asphalt trail down the long hill. After a short while, the trail bends around to the left, turning back towards the pipeline, and continues downhill until it flattens out and crosses a bridge at the pipeline. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, following the pipeline (with Heathcote Creek down the hill on the right) for a while before coming to the signposted intersection with the Mirang Pool track.
Mirang Pool camping ground
This campsite is nestled in Heathcote National Park, with walk-in access from Heathcote Station. The campsite is near Mirang Pool on Heathcote Creek – there is a signpost at the top of the stairs, leading down to the pools from the management trail above. There are no facilities provided at the campsite, and you will need to carry in your own water and fuel stove.
(2.7km) Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks → Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail
340 m
8 mins
13m
-24m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Lake Eckersley’ arrow along the management trail, keeping the pipe line to the left, as it heads through the bush. After a while, the trail does a large ‘S’ bend, crossing the pipeline twice as before passing through a gate and up to the intersection with the Mirang Road service trail.
(3.04km) Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail → Battery Causeway
1 km
21 mins
46m
-32m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalt management trail, keeping Heathcote Creek and the valley to the right as the trail rounds a bend and heads up run parallel with the pipeline as the trail becomes gravel. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the left for about 750m. The walk then crosses over the pipeline using a timber bridge and 160m further along the management trail the walk passes a picnic table and crosses Heathcote Creek at the concrete Battery Causeway. (Here you may notice the ‘Bullawarring Track – Waterfall 7km’ sign[1] up to your left).
(4.06km) Battery Causeway → Lake Eckersley
500 m
11 mins
14m
-42m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, heading up the hill with the creek down to the right. The trail does a sharp ‘U’ turn to the left, and continues up the hill to the signposted intersection of the ‘Lake Eckersley Track’.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track beside the signpost, heading down through the bush and away from the pipeline. As the track winds down the hill, it bends around to the left, winding through the dense scrub for a short while before bending back to the right and continuing down the rocky path to the edge of Woronora River. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track beside the signpost, heading down through the bush and away from the pipeline. As the track winds down the hill, it bends around to the left, winding through the dense scrub for a short while before bending back to the right and continuing down the rocky path to the edge of Woronora River. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
(4.06km) Battery Causeway → Int of Battery and Mooray Tracks
3.5 km
1 hr 22 mins
218m
-193m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection (on the western side of the causeway), this walk follows the somewhat over grown ‘Waterfall 7km’ arrow[2] on the ‘Bullawarring Track’ signpost, along the narrow track that initially heads up the hill away from the creek then bends left, keeping the valley to your left. The walk then follows this narrow track south, keeping Heathcote Creek down the hill to your left, as the track climbs up the side of the hill to flatten out high above the creek. From here, the track continues along the side of the ridge, with occasional views of the creek in the valley to the left, as the walk winds through thick bushland until coming to the signposted intersection of the ‘Goanna Track'[ref img=114136.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Waterfall’ arrow on the Bullawarring Track signpost, winding along the bush track on the side of the hill for a long time, occasionally passing a rock platform with views of Heathcote Creek. The walk winds up and down a few steep rocky sections and crosses the dried-up creek in Python Gully. At this point, the track continues around the edge of the valley before descending quite steeply to Heathcote Creek, where it comes to the signposted intersection of the Mooray Track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Waterfall’ arrow on the Bullawarring Track signpost, winding along the bush track on the side of the hill for a long time, occasionally passing a rock platform with views of Heathcote Creek. The walk winds up and down a few steep rocky sections and crosses the dried-up creek in Python Gully. At this point, the track continues around the edge of the valley before descending quite steeply to Heathcote Creek, where it comes to the signposted intersection of the Mooray Track.
(7.58km) Int of Battery and Mooray Tracks → Kingfisher Pool camping ground
930 m
21 mins
48m
-32m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Waterfall’ arrow on the Bullawarring Track signpost, heading along the bush track which follows Heathcote Creek. The track winds through the bush with small ups and downs, until it comes back down to the side of the creek, crossing at the rocks.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Waterfall’ arrow on the ‘Mooray Track’ sign, heading down and across the creek at the rocks, following the painted track markers up the other side and along the bush track to a large open clearing. From here, the track follows the track marker though the clearing and along the bush track for a short while, coming to some large boulders. Here, the track turns right and then immediately left at the painted marker, climbing up onto the top of the rock platform. From the top of the platform, the walk follows the bush track, heading away from the creek for a short distance before turning left at the bush track and continuing to the Kingfisher Pool camping ground.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Waterfall’ arrow on the ‘Mooray Track’ sign, heading down and across the creek at the rocks, following the painted track markers up the other side and along the bush track to a large open clearing. From here, the track follows the track marker though the clearing and along the bush track for a short while, coming to some large boulders. Here, the track turns right and then immediately left at the painted marker, climbing up onto the top of the rock platform. From the top of the platform, the walk follows the bush track, heading away from the creek for a short distance before turning left at the bush track and continuing to the Kingfisher Pool camping ground.
Kingfisher Pool camping ground
This campsite is located at a small clearing, just east of the junction of Heathcote and Kingfisher Creeks in Heathcote National Park. The campsite is above the creek on a flat clearing. The creek usually provides plenty of water (treat before use, and check with rangers before setting out) and an opportunity for a swim. At the campground, there is also a small pit toilet and picnic table. Open fires are not permitted, so bring your own fuel stove. Fees are payable in advance for the permit required to stay at this campsite.
End of day 1
This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.
(8.5km) Kingfisher Pool camping ground → Int of Heathcote Creek Bushtrail and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail
830 m
15 mins
15m
-15m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk heads away from the water for about 20m back to the main track, where this walk turns left to head east through the thick scrub for a while. There is an occasional view of the creek as the track heads along to a ‘Y’ intersection with another bush track that has been blocked off. Here, this walk turns left and continues along to the signposted intersection with a management trail.
(9.33km) Int of Lake Toolooma Servicetrail and Heathcote Creek Track → End of Warabin Rd
750 m
20 mins
88m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north, crossing the creek and heading along the service trail for a very short period, before coming to an intersection with a bush track going off to the right.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullawarring Track – Waterfall’ sign[3] south-east away from the power lines, following the narrow but clear track for several hundred metres (ignoring faint tracks to the left). The track then lends slightly to the left and heads up the hill to an intersection with a service trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow track and painted arrow[4] in the middle of the rock step, heading east up the rocky steps. The walk climbs up some rough rock steps with some carved foot-holes in the rock outcrop, to the top of some short cliffs. From here, the walk follows the rock platform at the top of the short cliffs, and the painted arrows, to the bush track which continues up the long rocky hill. The walk continues up a long set of wooden steps to the signposted intersection with a service trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, heading up the gentle hill towards the houses for a short while before coming to the end of Warabin Street.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullawarring Track – Waterfall’ sign[3] south-east away from the power lines, following the narrow but clear track for several hundred metres (ignoring faint tracks to the left). The track then lends slightly to the left and heads up the hill to an intersection with a service trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the narrow track and painted arrow[4] in the middle of the rock step, heading east up the rocky steps. The walk climbs up some rough rock steps with some carved foot-holes in the rock outcrop, to the top of some short cliffs. From here, the walk follows the rock platform at the top of the short cliffs, and the painted arrows, to the bush track which continues up the long rocky hill. The walk continues up a long set of wooden steps to the signposted intersection with a service trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail, heading up the gentle hill towards the houses for a short while before coming to the end of Warabin Street.
(10.08km) End of Warabin Rd → Waterfall Station
730 m
14 mins
22m
-10m
Very easy
Veer right: From the end of Warabin St, this walk follows the road up the hill and past the intersection of Yanagang Street, continuing up to the next intersection. Here, the walk turns left into Koorabin St, then passes over the Princes Highway and comes to the Waterfall Station entry ramp.
Maps for the Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Port Hacking | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91294N PORT HACKING | NSW-91294N |
| Appin | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90291S APPIN | NSW-90291S |
| Campbelltown | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90291N CAMPBELLTOWN | NSW-90291N |
| Campbelltown | 1:50 000 Map Series | 90291 CAMPBELLTOWN | CW-90291 |
| Port Hacking | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9129 PORT HACKING | 9129 |
| Wollongong | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9029 WOLLONGONG | 9029 |
Cross sectional view of the Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk
Daily actual walking time estimates
| Day | Walking Time | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 hrs 17 mins | 9 km |
| 2 | 49 mins | 2.3 km |
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 10.8 km | ||
| Time | 2 Days | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
4.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 3.6km has short steep hills. The remaining (2.3km) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 3.8km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 1.8km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 1.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 3.6km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.3km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk walk starts at the Heathcote Railway Station (gps: -34.088189, 151.00809)Your transport options to Heathcote Railway Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Train. (get details)The Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk ends at the Waterfall Station (gps: -34.135215, 150.99461)
Your main transport option to Waterfall Station is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/htwow
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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