Heathcote to Waterfall
Dharawal Country

4 h to 2 days

11.5 km
oneway

↑ 473 m
↓ -433 m

Hard track
Following Heathcote Creek, this walk is a great overnight walk, often used to introduce new walkers to overnight hikes. A well-signposted and defined track leads you to a campsite with a reasonable level of facilities. There are great views of Heathcote Creek along the way, and many of Heathcote's varied environments to enjoy. Definitely worth the time to head down to Lake Eckersley, which is perfectly placed for lunch on the first day. Keep in mind that you can do this as a one day walk as well. 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. 
Show all
start of the service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
heading through the bush. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Bridge over Pipeline west of Freeman Rd. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Following the pipeline service trail. | Photo by admin, 2009.
views from the pipeline track down to Heathcote Creek. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Crossing over the pipeline. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Passing a small picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2007.
the Battery Causeway. | Photo by admin, 2009.
looking upcreek from the Battery Causeway. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking back at the causeway. | Photo by admin, 2009.
views of Heathcote Creek from the track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
following the Bullawarring Track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
The track passing a rock wall. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking down at the creek from the track. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Following the track markers. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Climbing up onto a rock shelf. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Looking down on Kingfisher Pools. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Kingfisher Pool Campsite. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The dunny at Kingfisher pool campsite. | Photo by admin, 2007.
heading through the dense bushland. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Lake Toolooma service trail. | Photo by admin, 2007.
climbing up out of the valley. | Photo by admin, 2009.
following the service trail towards the houses. | Photo by admin, 2009.
gate at end of Warabin Road. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Downloads GPX PDF

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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-34.0878708,151.0083065)
Mode Car (There is free parking available.) Train
DirectionsFrom Heathcote Road, A6
  • Turn on to Princes Highway, A1 then drive for 940 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 110 m
Finish (-34.1351894,150.994091)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car   (There is free parking available.)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
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.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a car park (about 20 m back from the start).
Find the car park at the start.
Find the toilet at the start.
After another 30 m cross the bridge (about 35 m long)
Then head down the steps (about 8 m long)
Continue straight.
After another 45 m (at the intersection of Heath Lane & Byrnes Lane) turn left, to head along Heath Lane.
After another 70 m pass the restaurant (6 m on your left).
At the intersection of Oliver Street & Heath Lane turn right, to head along Oliver Street (a road).
After another 90 m (at the intersection of Oliver Street & Rosebery Street) continue straight, to head along Oliver Street.
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Lyne Lane & Oliver Street) continue straight, to head along Oliver Street.
After another 80 m (at the intersection of Oliver Street & Martin Street) continue straight, to head along Oliver Street.
After another 95 m (at the intersection of Oliver Street & Spring Lane) continue straight, to head along Oliver Street.
After another 140 m (at the intersection of Oliver Street & Spring Lane) turn around, to head along Oliver Street.
After another 90 m (at the intersection of Boundary Road & Oliver Street) turn left, to head along Boundary Road (a residential road).
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Boundary Road & Freeman Road) turn right, to head along Freeman Road.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Freeman Road & Friendly Trail) turn left, to head along Friendly Trail (a walking track).
After another 65 m pass the water tap (on your left).
After another 50 m veer left, to head along Friendly Trail.
After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Friendly Trail.
After another 360 m veer right, to head along Friendly Trail.
After another 335 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
Then head down the metal steps (about 10 m long)
After another 20 m pass the water tap (10 m on your right).
At the intersection of Pipeline Trail & Friendly Trail turn left, to head along Pipeline Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 150 m (at the intersection of Eddies Lookout Track & Pipeline Trail) continue straight, to head along Pipeline Trail.
After another 225 m cross the bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 95 m continue straight, to head along Pipeline Trail.
After another 410 m continue straight, to head along Pipeline Trail.
After another 45 m find the "Mirang Pool camping ground" (9 m on your right).
Mirang Pool camping ground
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.
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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.

After another 155 m cross the bridge (about 6 m long)
After another 100 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 35 m pass a seat (9 m on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 7 m (at the intersection of Pipeline Trail & Mirang Road Trail) continue straight, to head along Pipeline Trail.
After another 840 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 125 m pass a seat (7 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 25 m cross the bridge (about 55 m long)
Then cross the "Battery Causeway".
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Lake Eckersley. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 7 m (at the intersection of Pipeline Trail & Bullawarring Track) turn around, to head along Pipeline Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Lake Eckersley. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Pipeline Trail & Bullawarring Track) turn left, to head along Bullawarring Track (a walking track).
After another 700 m continue straight, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 690 m (at the intersection of Goanna Track & Bullawarring Track) turn left, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 900 m come to the "Marks Lookout" (on your right).
After another 200 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 230 m veer left, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 430 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 610 m (at the intersection of Bullawarring Track & Mooray Track) continue straight, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 880 m veer left.
After another 35 m pass the waterfall (15 m on your left).
After another 35 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
After another 10 m turn left, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 870 m (at the intersection of 108 Management Trail & Bullawarring Track) turn left, to head along 108 Management Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 9 m cross the ford.
After another 5 m (at the intersection of Bullawarring Track & 108 Management Trail) turn right, to head along Bullawarring Track (a walking track).
After another 390 m (at the intersection of Lake Toolooma Fire Trail & Bullawarring Track) turn right, to head along Lake Toolooma Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Lake Toolooma Fire Trail & Bullawarring Track) turn left, to head along Bullawarring Track (a walking track).
After another 75 m veer right, to head along Bullawarring Track.
After another 180 m (at the intersection of Warabin Street Fire Trail & Bullawarring Track) turn right, to head along Warabin Street Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 65 m head through/around the gate.
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Warabin Street & Warabin Street Fire Trail) turn left (a walking track).
After another 60 m turn around.
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Warabin Street Fire Trail & Warabin Street) continue straight, to head along Warabin Street (a residential road).
After another 180 m continue straight, to head along Warabin Street.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Warabin Street & Yanagang Street) turn left, to head along Yanagang Street (a highway|tertiary).
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Yanagang Street & Tharawal Lane) continue straight, to head along Yanagang Street.
After another 110 m pass the pay phone (9 m on your right).
At the intersection of Princes Highway & Yanagang Street turn right, to head along Princes Highway (a highway|trunk).
After another 110 m pass the toilet (40 m on your right).
After another 115 m pass the toilet (55 m on your left).
After another 30 m pass the water tap (55 m on your left).
Then pass the car park (80 m on your right).
After another 50 m pass the "Waterfall Commuter Carpark" (105 m on your left).
Then head through the tunnel
After another 35 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Lake Eckersley.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 70 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long)
After another 130 m turn right.
After another 290 m come to the end.
About 10 m past the end is "Lake Eckersley camping ground".
Lake Eckersley camping ground
Lake Eckersley camping ground

up to six campers
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up to six campers

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 500 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Heathcote to Waterfall


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 11.5 km
Time 4 h to 2 days
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
Campsite: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.2 km apart with the largest gap of 7.8 km.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 2.3 km apart with the largest gap of 9 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.8 km apart with the largest gap of 7.3 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
50 m[toilet]
Campsite
2.9 kmMirang Pool camping ground
Seat
3.2 km[seat]
Seat
4.2 km[seat]
Campsite
4.2 km + 570 mLake Eckersley camping ground
Toilet
9 km[toilet]
Toilet
11.3 km[toilet]
Toilet
11.4 km[toilet]
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Weather & Alerts
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