The Goanna Track Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs

11 km Circuit

484 m

Hard track

The Goanna Track is a short but pleasant bush track with some good views down over Heathcote Creek. Mostly along management trail, this walk follows the pipeline from Heathcote out to the Goanna Track circuit. Be sure to go down to Lake Eckersley as this is arguably the prettiest part of the walk. If wanting a break, there are some good spots down at water level, with nice views and picnic tables.

views from the pipeline track down to Heathcote Creek

looking upcreek from the Battery Causeway

(0km) Heathcote Railway Station → End of Freeman Rd

1 km

17 mins

-24m Very easy

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.

(1km) End of Freeman Rd → Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks

400 m

9 mins

-47m Moderate track

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.

(1km) Int of Scout Camp and Freeman Road bushtracks → Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks

330 m

7 mins

-37m Moderate track

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.

(2km) Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks → Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks

940 m

21 mins

43m

-50m Moderate track

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.

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.

(3km) Int. of Mirang and Mirang Pool Tracks → Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail

340 m

8 mins

13m

-24m Moderate track

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.

(3km) Int of Pipeline Track and Mirang Rd Servicetrail → Battery Causeway

1 km

21 mins

46m

-32m Moderate track

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).

(4km) Battery Causeway → Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks

290 m

6 mins

14m

-1m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, heading up the hill with the creek down to the right. The trail does a sharp 'U' turn to the left, and continues up the hill to the signposted intersection of the 'Lake Eckersley Track'.

(4km) Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks → Lake Eckersley

220 m

5 mins

-41m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track beside the signpost, heading down through the bush and away from the pipeline. As the track winds down the hill, it bends around to the left, winding through the dense scrub for a short while before bending back to the right and continuing down the rocky path to the edge of Woronora River. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

(4km) Int of Lake Eckersley and Pipeline Tracks → Int of Pipeline and Goanna Tracks

840 m

19 mins

46m

-34m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, keeping the pipeline on the left and providing the occasional view over the valley and creek to the right. This continues for a while until reaching a signposted intersection with the 'Goanna Track' (which goes up over the pipeline on a metal bridge).

(5km) Int of Pipeline and Goanna Tracks → Int of Goanna Track and the Pipeline bushtrack

300 m

9 mins

49m

0m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Goanna Track' signpost[2] over the pipeline at the metal platform. The rough track climbs up the rocky hill for a while before flattening out and coming to a signpost and the intersection with the pipeline track.

(5km) Int of Goanna Track and the Pipeline bushtrack → Int of Goanna and Bullawarring Tracks

160 m

3 mins

-23m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the left-hand arrow on the signpost, south along the side of the hill. Soon, the track turns down the hill to the signposted intersection with the 'Bullawarring Track'[3].

(6km) Int of Bullawarring and Goanna Tracks → Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks

3.6 km

1 hr 20 mins climb

155m

-202m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Pipeline Rd 1.0km' arrow on the 'Bullawarring Track' signpost[4], 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.
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.
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.

(9km) Int. of Mirang Track and Friendly Tracks → Heathcote Railway Station

1.8 km

33 mins

108m

-10m 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 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.
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 The Goanna Track Circuit 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
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 The Goanna Track Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Goanna Track Circuit

Altitude analysis for The Goanna Track Circuit

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	11 km
		Time	4 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

8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.1km is flat with no steps. The remaining (1.2km) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 2.1km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 640m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

9km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 1.3km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (840m) has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 10km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.5km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 3.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the The Goanna Track Circuit walk.

Heathcote to Waterfall

10.1 km One way, 5 hrs

Spanning between Heathcote and Waterfall Railway Stations, this walk experiences many of the different environments that Heathcote National Park has to offer. From ridge tops to creek walking, this is a great way to enjoy a day, with a perfect spot for a break at the Heathcote Campsite. If the water

Total climbing: 481m

Hard track

Heathcote to Waterfall Overnight Walk

10.8 km One way, 2 Days

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 v

Total climbing: 503m

Hard track

Waterfall to Heathcote

10.8 km One way, 5 hrs

This walk explores the heart of Heathcote National Park, and is easily accessed with a train station at either end. Although relatively close to the start of the walk, Kingfisher Pool, next to Heathcote Creek, is a great spot to break and enjoy the park. Mirang Pool, at the northern end, also offe

Total climbing: 467m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the The Goanna Track Circuit walk.

Heathcote to Audley

10 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

Passing through scrub and heath, this track goes into the Royal National Park along a well managed bush track, passing great pools and sections of creek at Karloo Pools and Uloola Falls. With some lovely rest spots at both of these places (especially with the toilet at Uloola) this walk is very plea

Total climbing: 327m

Hard track

Heathcote to Engadine via Audley

15 km One way, 6 hrs 30 mins

Covering a large section of central Royal National Park, this walk goes through the heath and scrub along a well managed and signposted track. The walk loops from Heathcote Railway Station around to Engadine Station. With public transport at both ends, toilets and water at both Uloola Falls and Rei

Total climbing: 635m

Hard track

Uloola Track (Heathcote to Waterfall)

11.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This pleasant walk takes you from Heathcote to Waterfall Station. This walk ventures into central Royal National Park along a well maintained bush track. The walk goes via a beautiful set of waterholes and rock flats at Karloo Pools. The walk continues to the peaceful campsite at Uloola Falls and t

Total climbing: 388m

Hard track

The Karloo Track

5.6 km Return, 3 hrs

A popular trail for those wanting a well-signposted bush track, and a great place to swim. The Karloo Track follows the bush track from Heathcote Railway Station east, into the Royal National Park, to a great set of waterholes on Kangaroo Creek. This walk offers more than just a set of waterholes at

Total climbing: 312m

Moderate track

Engadine to Audley

5.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

From Engadine Railway Station, this walk ventures into the centre of the Royal National Park, through light scrub. Highlights include Tuckawa Rill Creek, where the cascading water and small rock pools contrast beautifully with the surrounding dry bushland. On from here, there are great views of the

Total climbing: 181m

Hard track

Gibraltar Rock

858 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk starts near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley). The walk follows a short section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to a large sandstone overhang called Gibraltar Rock. At the base of the overhang is a rare sandstone cobble section of road. At Gibraltar Rock, there are also

Total climbing: 17m

Easy track

Jersey Spring

5 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting near the Willow Tree Picnic Area (near Audley), this walk follows the northern section of the historic Lady Carrington Drive to Jersey Spring. Past the sandstone overhang of Gibraltar Rock, this walk follows the old road and the Hacking River, enjoying the palms and tall gums along the way.

Total climbing: 118m

Easy track

Willow Tree to Calala

10.5 km Return, 4 hrs

On this walk you follow the historic Lady Carrington Drive from Willow tree picnic area to Calala before returning the same way. The walk passes two icons on the old road, Gibraltar Rock and Jersey Spring whilst crossing several small brooks. At Calala you will find a large clearing and natural sh

Total climbing: 282m

Moderate track

Winifred Falls

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

Winifred Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Royal National Park. This walk not only goes to the magnificent falls but has the optional side trip down to the beautiful South West Arm Pools. Anice Falls are not as great as Winifred but worth the visit. The walk then continues through the heath to

Total climbing: 179m

Hard track

Robertson's Roundabout

2.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

From the Royal National Park Centre, this walk crosses the Hacking River before rising steeply up onto the ridge to fantastic views of the Hacking River. If you look into the distance you can see Cronulla on the horizon at the highest points. Towards the end of the circuit, with good views of the su

Total climbing: 146m

Hard track

Audley to Gibraltar Rock

2.2 km Return, 45 mins

This walk starts at the historical and beautiful Audley picnic area and dance hall. Have a picnic or enjoy a coffee from the cafe, before wandering along the quiet public road alongside Hacking River. After heading around the locked gate, you walk along the old Lady Carrington Drive trail for about

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track

Bungoona Path

918 m Return, 20 mins

This is a smooth and mostly flat walk with a fantastic lookout in the Royal National Park. The concrete path starts at the Area Office car park, passes a pleasant and usually quiet picnic area, then winds gently down through the bush. The path leads to the fenced Bungoona Lookout, where you can en

Total climbing: 30m