The Karloo Track

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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	(-34.08794,151.0084249)
Mode	Car (There is free parking available.) Train
Directions	From M5 Motorway, M5, Riverwood. Turn on to Fairford Road Offramp then drive for 400 m Keep left 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 1.2 km Turn right and drive for another 30 m Turn right and drive for another 65 m

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 toilet (about 25 m back from the start). There is a car park (about 25 m back from the start). After another 40 m turn right.
	After another 65 m turn left.
	After another 30 m (from the Wilson Parade) turn right, to head along Wilson Parade (a highway\|tertiary). After another 20 m head through/around the gate. From the Wilson Parade turn left (a walking track). After another 25 m pass the "Heathcote To Waterfall Info Board". After another 85 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 come to "Uloola Falls". A ford. About 15 m past the end is "Ulloola Falls Campsite". 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. About 45 m past the end is a toilet.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 4.8 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Karloo Track

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	9.6 km
Time	3 h to 5 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
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.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.2 km apart with the largest gap of 4.8 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-27 m	[toilet]
Campsite	4.8 km	Ulloola Falls Campsite
Toilet	4.8 km	[toilet]

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Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cronulla Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Sunday 9 February
  
  Shower or two. Possible storm.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Monday 10 February
  
  22°C → 25°C
  Showers. Possible storm.
  90% chance of rain
  10 → 50mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe. Light winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then tending east to southeasterly in the middle of the day.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:20am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Tuesday 11 February
  
  21°C → 25°C
  Showers. Possible storm.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 20mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Wednesday 12 February
  
  22°C → 26°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 10mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southeasterly and light tending easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then increasing to 25 to 35 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Thursday 13 February
  
  23°C → 26°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Friday 14 February
  
  22°C → 27°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northerly 15 to 20 km/h turning northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day.
  
  Saturday 15 February
  
  22°C → 24°C
  Showers.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 20mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Sunday 16 February
  
  19°C → 22°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. Winds south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Royal National Park alerts
  Closed areas: Royal 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:
  
  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. There's 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.
  
  For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648
  
  Closed areas: Curra Moors Walking Tack CLOSED for repair
  The section of Curra Moors loop track between the carpark and fire trail is closed for repairs until April 2025.
  Curra Moors fire trail remains open. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
  
  Closed areas: Wallumarra vehicle trail closure
  Wallumarra vehicle trail in the Royal National Park is closed on weekdays from Monday 3 February to Friday 7 March 2025 due to construction works.
  Wallumarra walking track remains open and accessible from Lady Carrington Drive only. Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions of 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: 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.
  
  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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