Here is everything you need to know about getting to Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park via the Karloo Walking Track!
Karloo Pool is the ultimate natural swimming hole near Sydney, Australia.
Though Sydney is packed with stunning beaches and ocean pools, try something different and opt for a freshwater dip in the forest.
Just south of Sydney lies the Royal National Park. As the oldest national park in Australia, and the second oldest national park in the world, this oasis of natural beauty is absolutely gorgeous.
The Royal National Park has so many amazing hiking trails, coastal lookouts, campgrounds, waterfalls, and more. It’s one of the best day trips from Sydney, especially for nature lovers.
If you’re looking for a fun, quick hike and a freshwater swimming spot, Karloo Pools is the perfect place!
Read next: 1 Week In Sydney – Itinerary For Outdoorsy Travelers
Hiking Guide to Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park, Sydney
Here is my complete guide to visiting Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park. Because I live in southern Sydney, this hike is only a 20-minute drive from my house!
Even if you’re coming from elsewhere in Sydney, this is a super accessible and convenient hike that starts right off the side of the highway heading south towards Wollongong.
Find more nearby activities with my guide to the Royal National Park.
Where are the Karloo Pools?
Karloo Pools are located in the western part of the Royal National Park, just south of Sydney. You can access the pools via the Karloo Walking Track that starts at Heathcote Train Station.
There are other hiking trails through the Royal National Park that can connect you to Karloo Pools, but this walking track is the most direct route.
About the Karloo Walking Track
- Starting Point: Heathcote Train Station
- Distance: 10km return (Karloo Pools are about 2.5km along the track, so 5km return)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking Time: 40 minutes – 1.5 hours one way, depending on your fitness level
- Facilities: None
Starting Point:
Karloo Walking Track begins at Heathcote Train Station in Heathcote, NSW. So this is a great hike for travelers in Sydney who don’t have a car! Just take the train to Heathcote, exit the train station to the east, and walk 5 minutes to the trailhead.
If you’re driving down from Sydney, park on the eastern side of the Heathcote Train Station. On a weekend, try to arrive early as the parking spots can fill up.
Once you’ve parked, just walk south past the NSW Fire Service Station and you’ll see a sign for the trail on the left.
Distance:
Karloo Pools are located on the Karloo Walking Track. The trail continues for much longer into the forest, but it’s only 2.5km to the swimming hole. So if you’re just going to Karloo Pools and back, you’ll hike around 5km total.
If you hike the entire Karloo Walking Track, you’ll continue on for 10km into the Royal National Park wilderness area.
About 5km down the track you’ll see Uloola Falls, a small but beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall. Nearby is Uloola Falls Campground, a remote bush campsite surrounded by lush forest. This is a great place to camp in the midst of the wild, just remember it’s only accessible via a 10km-return hike.
If you do wish to camp at Uloola Falls Campground, remember to book your spot online.
Difficulty:
I would consider the Karloo Walking Track to be easy/moderate. On the NSW National Parks website, and on the sign at the trailhead, the Karloo Walking Track is rated hard. That may be the case if you’re completing the entire track to Uloola Falls. But if you’re just hiking to the swimming hole and back, it’s not a hard hike at all.
The hike is a bit muddy at parts because it runs near Heathcote Brook. There are also a lot of rocks and roots, and the track is very uneven. I recommend decent hiking shoes, but you could do it in standard sneakers (or joggers/trainers if you’re Aussie).
Despite the rugged nature of the trail, it’s not very steep or long. The trail declines gradually as you hike to Karloo Pools. On the way back, it’s a bit of an incline. You’ll work up a sweat but it’s definitely not hard. We saw old people and young kids on the hike!
See my Castle Hiking Guide for another amazing hiking trail in New South Wales.
Hiking Time:
The average person can hike to Karloo Pools in 1 hour, which is 2 hours return. Matt and I are pretty fit and it took us 40 minutes to get there. If you hike slowly or you have young kids, it could take up to 1.5 hours to reach Karloo Pools.
It’s an enjoyable trail with beautiful scenery. You’re hiking along a ridge, so to one side you can see the vast landscapes of towering gum trees with cockatoos soaring overhead.
There are lots of vibrant green ferns, twisted trees, and wildflowers.
We hiked in summer and the cicadas were screaming at us the whole way, but it just added to the ambiance of the wilderness.
Facilities:
There are no facilities at Karloo Pools. Uloola Falls Campground has toilets, but that’s 2.5km further along the track.
I’ll cover what to bring in detail later on. But the most important thing is to pack sun protection and plenty of water. The track is mostly shaded but you’re definitely still exposed to the sun, especially if you’re hiking at midday.
I personally don’t like hiking in a bathing suit, but there is nowhere to change at Karloo Pools. Just pack a towel so you can cover yourself while you change into your bathing suit. Or wear it under your clothes for the hike if you want.
Check out my other favorite hikes and swimming spots near Sydney in my list of things to do in the Blue Mountans!
Can you swim in Karloo Pools?
Yes you can swim in Karloo Pools, and it’s one of the most beautiful, refreshing natural swimming holes near Sydney. It’s a large, deep freshwater pool fed by Kangaroo Creek and Heathcote Brook.
The swimming pool is framed by rugged cliffs and tall mountains of gum trees. There is lots of shade, but you can find some sunny patches on the rocks as well. If you arrive at midday, the whole pool will be in the sun.
But Karloo Pools is a super popular spot, so it can get crowded at midday. Especially on weekends or in summer. I’d recommend visiting early or trying to go on a weekday to escape the crowds.
No matter what time you visit, it’s a gorgeous place for a swim. The water is cool and refreshing, with a bit of sediment but it’s not murky.
Lots of people like jumping or diving off the rocks at the front of the pool. Just be super careful if you’re doing this though because there are rocks in the pool. You’re better off walking in from the sides.
What to bring for the Karloo Pools Hike
Karloo Pools has no facilities, so make sure you bring everything you’ll need for the day. This packing list is for those who are hiking to Karloo Pools and back. If you’re tackling the entire Karloo Pools Walking Track and camping at Uloola Falls Campground, you’ll need to pack much more of course.
☼ Sun protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You will get sun on the trail, unless you’re hiking super early. If you’re hiking at midday, the sun will be in full force.
☼ Bathing suit and towel: You’re definitely going to want to swim in Karloo Pools! Have a towel so you can change as there is no privacy at the pools.
☼ Change of clothes: Unless you want to hike back to the car in a wet bathing suit, bring a change of clothes. Or just change back into your sweaty clothes if that doesn’t bother you. You could also bring a plastic bag to store the wet bathing suit.
☼ Water and snacks: Bring 1-2L of water at least. You probably won’t need tons of snacks since it’s a short hike, but it can be a fun place for a picnic! Just remember to take all your trash with you. There are no bins out there.
☼ Camera: To capture the natural beauty!
It’s also a good idea to have travel insurance if you’re a visitor in Australia. Check out my Budget Traveler’s Guide to Travel Insurance for more info, or browse plans on my favorite insurance platform, Squaremouth Insurance!
Other things to do in the Royal National Park
If you have more time to explore the Royal National Park, there are so many other fun things to do. Winifred Falls is a lovely little waterfall near the northern end of the park accessible via a hiking trail.
My favorite parts of the Royal National Park are along the coast. The Royal Coast Track is an epic, 2-day hike that runs the entire length of the coastline. Unfortunately it’s currently closed, but check the website for updates.
You can still access parts of the Coast Track for day trips. I personally love the Figure 8 Pools, Garie Beach, and the Balconies rock formations. Cliff jumping at Wattamolla is also popular, as is walking along Jibbon Beach in Bundeena.
You could continue further south past Otford and explore the Grand Pacific Drive. Bald Hill Lookout, Wodi Wodi Walking Track, and the Sea Cliff Bridge are my favorite attractions here.
Find more ideas with my list of the best day trips from Sydney.
Thanks for reading my hiking guide to Karloo Pools!
This is a glorious half-day trip from Sydney that allows you to escape the heat and get some exercise.
Read about more of my adventures around NSW with these posts:
12 Fun Things To Do In Port Stephens, NSW Australia
42 Best Things To Do In The Blue Mountains, Sydney, Australia
How To Get To The Blue Mountains From Sydney
NSW South Coast Road Trip Guide
How To Spend A Weekend In Blackheath, Blue Mountains
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