Waterfall to Heathcote
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs
10.8 km One way
467 m
Hard track
(0km) Waterfall Station → End of Warabin Rd
730 m
14 mins
10m
-22m
Very easy
From Waterfall Railway Station, this walk takes the ramp out of the station onto Kooraban St. The walk follows Kooraban St over the Princess Highway, then turns right into Warabin St. This is followed to the end, where it comes to the intersection with the service trail signposted as the ‘Bullawarring Track’.
(0.73km) End of Warabin Rd → Int of Bullawarring Track and Warabin Servicetrail
90 m
2 mins
0m
-4m
Easy track
Veer left: From the end of Warabin St, this walk passes the large National Park gate and the sign saying ‘Bullawarring Track – Heathcote National Park’, heading along the service trail for a short while before coming to the signposted intersection of the Bullawarring Track at the top of the long set of wooden stairs.
(0.82km) Int of Bullawarring Track and Warabin Servicetrail → Int of Bullawarring Track and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail
280 m
9 mins
0m
-52m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullawarring Trac Kingfisher Pool and Lake Eckersley’ sign[1] down to the bottom of a long set of wooden steps. From here, the walk continues down the hill along the rocky bush track to the top of some short cliffs, where the walk follows the rock shelf for a short distance before continuing steeply down the rocky slope and down the hill to the intersection of the Lake Toolooma service trail.
(1.1km) Int of Bullawarring Track and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail → Int of Waterfall Gully and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail (west)
340 m
8 mins
3m
-31m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west down off the service trail and onto the bush track. Soon the track bends right and continues along the narrow, cleared track for several hundred metres until coming to an intersection with a service trail, signposted as part of the Bullawarring Track.
(1.44km) Int of Waterfall Gully and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail (west) → Int of Lake Toolooma Servicetrail and Heathcote Creek Track
30 m
1 mins
0m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads south for a very short period before crossing the creek and going up slightly, and then comes to an intersection with a bush track going off to the right.
(1.48km) Int of Heathcote Creek Bushtrail and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail → Kingfisher Pool camping ground
830 m
15 mins
15m
-15m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullawarring Track’ signpost and the painted ‘Heathcote Kingfisher’ marker along the bush track, passing under the high-tension power lines and winding through the thick scrub, with the occasional view of the creek off to the right. This continues for a while before the track comes to an intersection with a 5m bush track on the right, leading 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.
(2.31km) Kingfisher Pool camping ground → Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks
3.1 km
1 hr 13 mins
176m
-166m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the campsite, this walk follows the bush track behind the fireplace for a short distance before turning right at the bush track and continuing along to the rock platform above Heathcote Creek. From here, the walk turns left and follows the bush track, keeping the creek down to the right as the track drops down a short, steep rock surface. The walk turns right, following the bush track that the winds through the bush for a short while to a large open clearing. From the clearing, the track follows the track marker on the other side through the bush and down to the creek, which it crosses at the rocks and comes up to the signposted intersection of the ‘Bullawarring Track’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, heading north along the left-hand side of the creek. The track gradually rises up above the rock shelves lining the creek, and continues along through the bush for a while before the track comes back down to the signposted intersection of the ‘Battery Causeway’ track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Battery Causeway’ arrow on the Bullawarring Track signpost, heading along the bush track which steadily climbs up the side of the valley for a while before crossing the dried-up creek at Python Gully. From here, the track continues along the side of the valley, climbing up the side of the hill for a while before flattening out again high above Heathcote Creek – this can be seen from the occasional rock shelf on the side of the track. The walk winds along to the signposted intersection of the Goanna Track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, heading north along the left-hand side of the creek. The track gradually rises up above the rock shelves lining the creek, and continues along through the bush for a while before the track comes back down to the signposted intersection of the ‘Battery Causeway’ track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Battery Causeway’ arrow on the Bullawarring Track signpost, heading along the bush track which steadily climbs up the side of the valley for a while before crossing the dried-up creek at Python Gully. From here, the track continues along the side of the valley, climbing up the side of the hill for a while before flattening out again high above Heathcote Creek – this can be seen from the occasional rock shelf on the side of the track. The walk winds along to the signposted intersection of the Goanna Track.
(5.43km) Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks → Battery Causeway
1.3 km
30 mins
49m
-100m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Pipeline Rd 1.0km’ arrow on the ‘Bullawarring Track’ signpost[2], heading along the bush track which follows the side of the hill. The rocky bush track winds up and down through the thick bushland, with occasional views of Heathcote Creek down to the right. This continues for a while until the track drops steeply down a short rocky section and continues down the hill to the signposted intersection of the service trail at the Battery Causeway.
(6.75km) Battery Causeway → Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail
1 km
21 mins
32m
-46m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek using concrete Battery Causeway and follows the management trail up the gentle hill, past a picnic table to soon cross the pipeline on a timber bridge. From here, the walk continues along the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the right for 750m until the trail bends left away from the pipeline and onto an asphalt surface. The trail winds down a hill to the intersection of the Mirang Road service trail.
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.
(7.77km) Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail → Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
1.3 km
29 mins
74m
-56m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalt management trail down the hill and through a gate, doing a large ‘S’ bend and crossing the pipeline twice. The surface of the trail changes to dirt and the walk continues, with Heathcote Creek on the left, to the signposted intersection with the Mirang Pool track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail in the unsignposted direction, keeping the pipeline on the right and Heathcote Creek down the hill on the left. The walk heads along until it crosses a bridge onto an asphalt surface and heads up the long hill that winds to the intersection with another trail, opposite the metal platform crossing the pipeline.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail in the unsignposted direction, keeping the pipeline on the right and Heathcote Creek down the hill on the left. The walk heads along until it crosses a bridge onto an asphalt surface and heads up the long hill that winds to the intersection with another trail, opposite the metal platform crossing the pipeline.
(9.05km) Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks → End of Freeman Road service trail
420 m
10 mins
60m
-5m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up and over the large concrete pipeline at the metal platform and stairs. The track then continues up the long hill for a while before coming to an intersection with a rough track (heading up on the left, about 40 metres before the high tension power lines).
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the rough bush track heading up the side of the hill, climbing steeply up along the sometimes-faint path. The track soon flattens out and bends around to the right, passing a burnt-out car shell before coming an the intersection with a management trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the rough bush track heading up the side of the hill, climbing steeply up along the sometimes-faint path. The track soon flattens out and bends around to the right, passing a burnt-out car shell before coming an the intersection with a management trail.
(9.47km) Freeman Rd and Friendly Track Int → End of Freeman Rd
310 m
6 mins
24m
-1m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the long hill. The walk passes a trail on the right and flattens out a little, continuing up and around to the right. This walk passes another management trail (heading behind some houses) as it flattens out more and crosses under the power lines to the road.
(9.78km) End of Freeman Rd → Heathcote Railway Station
1 km
17 mins
24m
-4m
Very easy
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows Freemans Road all the way past the large scout camp facility, to the intersection of Boundary Road, where it turns left and continues along for a short distance to the intersection of Oliver Street. From here, this walk turns right onto Oliver Street, which it follows to the end, meeting the Princes Highway. From here, the track crosses the highway at the traffic lights and continues along the footpath, with the car park to the left, coming to the train station.
Maps for the Waterfall to Heathcote 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 Waterfall to Heathcote bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Waterfall to Heathcote
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 | 5 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| 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 Waterfall to Heathcote walk starts at the Waterfall Station (gps: -34.135215, 150.99461)Your transport options to Waterfall Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Train. (get details)The Waterfall to Heathcote ends at the Heathcote Railway Station (gps: -34.088189, 151.00809)
Your transport options to Heathcote Railway Station are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/wth
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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