Sometimes, the best hikes are the ones close to home. This week’s adventure took us into the heart of Heathcote National Park, tucked away in southern Sydney. Often overshadowed by its big sister, the Royal National Park (or “Nasho,” as we Aussies affectionately call it), Heathcote offers peaceful bushwalking, scenic lookouts, and beautiful waterholes without the crowds. This is my second walk in Heathcote NP, you can read about the first here.
The forecast threatened a bit of rain, but we lucked out with a mild and dry autumn day—ideal conditions for a day on the trails.
Waterfall Circuit Hike In Heathcote National Park Hike Details
- When: 16 April 2025
- Where: Heathcote National Park
- Weather: Slight chance of rain on a mild autumn day with a low of 60.8°F (16°C) and a high of 71.6°F (22°C)
- Departure: From Waterfall train station, finishing at Waterfall train station.
- Length: 8:23 miles, 13.26 km
- Elevation gain: 1348 ft, 411 m
- Duration: 5 hours 14 minutes moving time
Starting Out: Waterfall Station to the Bush
Our group of 14 met at Waterfall train station at 8:25 AM. After a short road walk, we left the pavement behind and headed straight into the bush, making our way toward the Scout Camp.
The trail immediately descended, crossing Heathcote Creek, where we passed a waterhole that’s no doubt a favourite swimming spot for scouts in the warmer months.
First Stop: Mount Westmacott
Our first destination was Mount Westmacott. We followed a fire trail until we reached the well-marked walking track to the summit. The climb was easy but rocky, winding through scrubby bushland and gaining steady elevation.
At the top, we were rewarded with sweeping views across Heathcote National Park and even caught glimpses of nearby suburbs peeking through the trees. This made for a perfect morning tea spot—elevated, breezy, and peaceful.
Onward to Kingfisher Pool and Falls
After soaking in the views, we retraced our steps down Mount Westmacott and continued along the fire trail until we turned onto the Bullawarring Track. From here, the trail took on what I’d call an undulating descent toward our next destination: Kingfisher Pool.
Kingfisher Pool didn’t disappoint. Fed by Heathcote Creek, the pool sits below a series of cascades, where water runs over rich red, iron-stained rocks. We took a break here, stashed our backpacks, and explored the area.
I wandered to a spot where the water plunged down under a rock platform. To my surprise, the rock had openings large enough for me to climb into—I found myself beneath the platform, with the waterfall thundering into a channel just beside me. The sound was loud, echoing off the stone walls—a little hidden world beneath the surface that added a true sense of discovery to the day.
A Disappointing Detour: Yelgun Cave
After our time at the falls, we continued on toward Yelgun Cave, following a side trail off the main track. To be honest, calling it a cave is generous—it was more of a rock overhang, and not worth the detour. A few photos and a shrug later, we turned back to rejoin the Bullawarring Track.
Lunch Along Heathcote Creek
We followed the Bullawarring Track along Heathcote Creek, eventually finding a broad, flat section of rock where we stopped for lunch. The red-tinged creek bed glowed in the sun, and we dangled our feet into shallow pools of cool water—a perfect break surrounded by gum trees and bird calls.
The Circuit Continues: Mooray Track to Warabin Fire Trail
From there, we continued briefly on the Bullawarring before turning off onto the Mooray Track. The trail began to climb steadily for around 1.3 km (0.8 miles), gaining elevation before flattening into a more undulating path.
After another 1 km (0.6 miles), we turned onto the Warabin Street Fire Trail, beginning our journey back toward Waterfall.
The Longer Route Back
While most of the group opted for the shorter route to the station, two of us couldn’t resist extending the adventure. We branched off onto the Bullawarring Track again, adding an extra 1.6 km (1 mile) to the hike and passing the tranquil Lake Toolooma before continuing on to the station.
Terrain: What to Expect
This circuit is a mix of fire trails, bush tracks, and creek crossings. Expect rocky sections, some of which can be muddy after rain. The climb to Mount Westmacott is manageable witha bit of a scramble near the top.
The trail isn’t overly technical, but it does require some agility, especially if you’re planning to explore the falls or scramble around the rocks like we did. It’s a great hike for intermediate hikers or adventurous beginners who are up for a bit of a challenge without anything too strenuous.
Flora and Fauna: Nature in Every Direction
Heathcote National Park is full of native Australian bushland, and we passed through stretches of eucalyptus forest, interspersed with banksia shrubs still showing off their blooms.
Listen out for the sounds of rosellas, lorikeets, and kookaburras, and keep an eye on the ground for goannas or skinks warming themselves on sunny rocks. The creeklines are also great spots to spot frogs or even the occasional eastern water dragon.
My Final Thoughts
This was a rewarding and varied day hike in a national park that often flies under the radar. While the side trip to Yelgun Cave was a bit of a letdown, the exploration around Kingfisher Falls more than made up for it—especially discovering that hidden space beneath the rock platform.
Sometimes, hikes can become a mission to tick off distance or reach a destination, but this walk reminded me to slow down and really explore. Heathcote National Park may be less well-known, but it’s got plenty of surprises for those willing to wander.
Do you like exploring when on the trail? Feel free to share your experiences here.