Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Heathcote to Waterfall via Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Heathcote to Waterfall via Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
4 Hrs 30 mins
11.3 km
390 m
One way
1 km SW of Heathcote
Royal National Park
Track: Hard
Starting and ending at railway stations this easily accessibly tracks ventures into central Royal National Park along a well-maintained bushtrack, going to a beautiful set of waterholes and rockflats at Karloo Pools. The track continues to the peaceful campsite at Uloola Falls. Abruptly, the trail changes to a servicetrail, continuing to Waterfall Railway Station.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Heathcote Railway Station to Int of Wilson Parade and Karloo Track Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -2 m
From Heathcote Station the track heads south-east along Wilson Parade following the railway tracks.Shortly after passing the Rural Firestation the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as part of the Royal National Park. This is the Karloo Track.
(0.2 km) Int of Karloo Track and Wilson Pde to Karloo Pools Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.6 km
Time = 1 Hrs 5 mins
Climb = 87 m
Descent = -222 m
From the intersection of Wilson Pde and the bushtrack at the large sign saying Royal National Park - Karloo Track the trail heads east away from the road. Shortly after this turns to the north and goes behind the Rural FIrefighting Station. Shortly after this the track turns back to the east and continues along the bushtrack. Gradually this turns to the south and goes slightly dowhill until reaching Heathcote Brook. Just after crossing the brook the track comes to an intersection with another bushtrack. From the intersection the track heads east. This gradually rises onto the ridgeline and there are some reasonably good views over the surrounding valley. The track continues eastin this manner until in the end begins to gradually drop down off the ridge along the slightly rougher bushtrack until reaching Karloo Pools. This would be a good spot to take a break and/or swim.
(2.78 km) Karloo Pools to Uloola Falls Camp Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.3 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 125 m
Descent = -47 m
From the intersection at the south end of Karloo Pools the track track heads south-east along the bushtrack. After several hundred metres the track passes a sign saying 'Karloo Pools 360m'. From here the track turns more to the south and begins to rise steeply until reaching the ridgeline. Once on the ridge the track follows the yellow markers through the scrub. Approximately halfwaya long this rockshelf section the track passes a small intersection with a disused bushtrack going off to the right. The track follows the ridge until in the last section gradually goes down until crossing Uloola Brook. Shortly after this the track crosses behind Uloola Falls and immediately after enters Uloola Campground.
Ulloola Falls Campsite
Alt = 132
A small clearing located next to Ulloola Falls. This clearing has a small toilet and fresh water from the creek.
(5.04 km) Uloola Falls Camp to Int. Couranga Trk and Uloola Trk Track: Hard - bushtrack, servicetrail
Distance = 5.1 km
Time = 1 Hrs 30 mins
Climb = 148 m
Descent = -57 m
From the south-west end of the campsite the track heads south along the rough bushtrack, climbing slightly. This continues for approximately 150m until reaching a small clearing marked with a 'no camping'' sign. On the southern end of this the track connects with a servicetrail marked as the Uloola Servicetrail. The track follows the servicetrail south-west for approximately 530m until coming to a small intersection with a bushtrack heading off southwest, whilst the servicetrail turns south sharply. This intersection is easy to miss. The key marker to it is that from this point the servicetrail heads uphill relatively steeply. As this is the first major hill then it is a good indicator of the intersection. From the intersection the track heads south winding across the ridge with many large clearings on either side of the track. The track continues in a southerly direction to the intersection marked by the 'Couranga Track' sign.
(10.13 km) Int. Couranga Trk and Uloola Trk to Cricket Oval Eastern Gate Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -15 m
From the intersection the track heads south up the hill turning right. The track then descneds slowly for approximately 350m to a gate before a cricket oval.
(10.69 km) Cricket Oval Eastern Gate to Waterfall Station Carpark Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -5 m
From the intersection at the gate the track heads north west across the cricket oval to a sign posted trail. The track heads north west through dense reedy scrub for approximately 30m. The track continues for a while with numerous sidetrails to the right of the main track. The track then climbs through a ferny area, west to Waterfall Station carpark. The track continues through the carpark along the footpath to the top of the station.
Hiking near Sydney 
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