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start of the service trail +
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heading through the bush +
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Bridge over Pipeline west of Freeman Rd +
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following the pipeline service trail +
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views from the pipeline track down to Heathcote Creek +
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The Pipeline Servicetrail +
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views from the pipeline track down to Heathcote Creek +
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passing a small picnic area +
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looking upcreek from the Battery Causeway +
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looking down to the Battery Causeway +
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views of Heathcote Creek from the track +
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following the Bullawarring track +
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The ridges of Heathcote National Park +
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Looking down at the creek from the track +
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Following the track markers +
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Looking down on Kingfisher Pools +
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Kingfisher Pool Campsite +
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heading through the dense bushland +
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Lake Toolooma service trail +
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The bushtrack between the Talooma Servicetrails +
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climbing up out of the valley +
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following the service trail towards the houses +
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gate at end of Warabin Road +
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Cross sectional view of the Heathcote to Waterfall bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Heathcote to Waterfall bushwalking track  Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| |
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Length |
10km |
| Time |
5 hrs |
| . |
|
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard |
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) |
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the 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 (1.6km) 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 1.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 1km follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
5km 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 4.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 10km 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 1.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
(0 km)
Heathcote Railway Station
to
End of Freeman Rd
Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road |
Length = 1.03 km |
Time = 17 mins |
| Climb = 4 m |
Descent = -24 m |
|
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.
|
(1.03 km)
End of Freeman Rd
to
Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 401 m |
Time = 9 mins |
| Climb = 2 m |
Descent = -47 m |
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.
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(1.43 km)
Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks
to
Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 329 m |
Time = 7 mins |
| Climb = 4 m |
Descent = -37 m |
|
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.
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(1.76 km)
Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks
to
Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 942 m |
Time = 21 mins |
| Climb = 43 m |
Descent = -50 m |
|
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.
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Mirang Pool camping ground
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Alt = 81 m |
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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.
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(2.7 km)
Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks
to
Battery Causeway
Track: Moderate - servicetrail |
Length = 1.36 km |
Time = 29 mins |
| Climb = 59 m |
Descent = -56 m |
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.
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).
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(4.06 km)
Battery Causeway
to
Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks
Track: Hard - bushtrack |
Length = 1.32 km |
Time = 30 mins |
| Climb = 100 m |
Descent = -49 m |
|
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.
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(5.38 km)
Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks
to
Int of Battery and Mooray Tracks
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 2.2 km |
Time = 52 mins |
| Climb = 118 m |
Descent = -144 m |
|
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.
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(7.58 km)
Int of Battery and Mooray Tracks
to
Kingfisher Pool camping ground
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 926 m |
Time = 21 mins |
| Climb = 48 m |
Descent = -32 m |
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.
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Kingfisher Pool camping ground
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Alt = m |
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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.
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(8.5 km)
Kingfisher Pool camping ground
to
Int of Heathcote Creek Bushtrail and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 830 m |
Time = 15 mins |
| Climb = 15 m |
Descent = -15 m |
|
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.
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(9.33 km)
Int of Lake Toolooma Servicetrail and Heathcote Creek Track
to
Int of Waterfall Gully and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail (west)
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 31 m |
Time = 1 mins |
| Climb = 1 m |
Descent = 0 m |
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.
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(9.37 km)
Int of Waterfall Gully and Lake Toolooma Servicetrail (west)
to
Int of Bullawarring Track and Warabin Servicetrail
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 626 m |
Time = 17 mins |
| Climb = 83 m |
Descent = -3 m |
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.
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(9.99 km)
Int of Bullawarring Track and Warabin Servicetrail
to
End of Warabin Rd
Walk: Easy - servicetrail |
Length = 93 m |
Time = 2 mins |
| Climb = 4 m |
Descent = 0 m |
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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.
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Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Campsites in the park Kingfisher Pool camping groundLake Eckersley camping groundMirang Pool camping groundNearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
| Store |
Address |
Phone |
Distance (straight line) |
| Engadine Disposal & Outdoor Centre Pty Ltd | 1042 Old Princes Hwy, Engadine | (02) 9520 3367 | 2.6 km | Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment | 587 Kingsway, Miranda | (02) 9525 6829 | 10.6 km | Onrope | 11 Nelson Ave, Padstow | (02) 9709 6299 | 17 km | Boots Great Outdoors | 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah | (02) 9542 8988 | 12.4 km | Jeffs Camping & Disposals | Lvl2/ 444 Hume Hwy, Yagoona | (02) 9708 5092 | 20.2 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Heathcote to Waterfall.
Fire DangerThis walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information. Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
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 Heathcote National Park Link to official closures and fire bans pageRegion: Sydney & Surrounds Park fees Camping I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment. |
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
Check out the facilities at 
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)