Sublime Point walking track
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area
Overview
For a challenging walk through rainforest, Sublime Point walking track offers great birdwatching and scenic views across Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
- Distance
- 0.7km one-way
- Time suggested
- 30 - 45min
- Grade
- Grade 4
- What to
bring - Sunscreen, hat, drinking water
- Please note
- Please respect the residents of Foothills Road by keeping noise to a minimum when entering and leaving the track
- Avoid parking across residential driveways on Foothills Road
- There are no rubbish bins along the walk so please take your rubbish away with you
Sublime Point walking track is one of the iconic treks of the Illawarra escarpment, and a challenging walk through lush coastal rainforest to the plateau above with incredible scenic views. The steep climb is ideal for experienced bushwalkers and a great nature escape only an hour from Sydney, north of Wollongong.
Starting near Sublime Point, the track descends steeply from Sublime Point lookout down the escarpment cliffs, through dense forests dotted with tree ferns and palms. Stop for a breather for some great birdwatching, and look out for yellow-tailed black cockatoos or raptor birds such as falcons and kestrels.
A series of ladders and a giant staircase allow you to rock-hop your way down to Austinmer. Enjoy lunch at the picnic facilities or nearby cafe before heading back down. If the hike up is enough for you though, you can organise a pick-up at the bottom of the track, or catch a train home from Austinmer Station.
Take a virtual tour of Sublime Point walking track captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/sublime-point-walking-track/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area in the South Coast region
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. However, it is recommended that bushwalking only be undertaken during daylight hours because of the presence of cliff edges and other hazards.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Sublime Point walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.7km one-way
Time
30 - 45min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
Some bushwalking experience recommended
Gradient
Very steep
Steps
Many steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Sublime Point walking track is in the Bulli precinct of Illawarra Escarpment Conservation Area. To get there:
From the top of the escarpment:
- Take Old Princes Highway, approximately 12km south from Helensburgh to Bulli Heights.
- Turn left into Sublime Point lookout, approximately 3km north of Bulli Pass.
- The track begins 50m south-east of Sublime Cafe
From the bottom of the escarpment:
- Turn left from Lawrence Hargrave Drive onto Henley/Kirton Roads, Austinmer.
- Turn left onto Hill Street, then right onto Foothills Road.
- Please respect residents and drive slowly
- The track branches off the footpath that joins Foothills Road and Buttenshaw Drive, Austinmer.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Sublime Point lookout.
By public transport
Use the Transport NSW Trip Planner to plan your journey to Austinmer train station, then start the walk from the bottom of the escarpment.
Facilities
- Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
- Picnic facilities are located at Lady Fuller Park, near Austinmer, and Sublime Point lookout.
Maps and downloads
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Sublime Point walking track is in Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
200 million years and counting
The 500-metre-high Illawarra Escarpment provides a dramatic backdrop to the city of Wollongong and spans 200 million years of geological history. The escarpment is so notable, it's currently listed as a 'Scenic Landscape of State-wide Significance' on the Register of the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
- Bush school and nature playgroups in Illawarra Do you want to ignite your child’s passion for the natural world? Join a fun, nature-based program run by Bush Magic Adventures in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, near Wollongong.
- Forest walk to Sublime Point track Combining several hiking tracks, this extended day walk is one of the region’s best, taking in scenic views of the coast and Sydney, with access to nearby forest picnic spots.
- Mount Keira Ring track Encircling Mount Keira, the ring track passes through the varied terrains and forests of the Illawarra Escarpment, starting and finishing in a perfect picnic spot.
- Sublime Point walking track For a challenging walk through rainforest, Sublime Point walking track offers great birdwatching and scenic views across Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
Going bush
The Illawarra Escarpment contains the most extensive area of rainforest in the Sydney basin and forms a crucial corridor between Royal National Park and the South Coast. The area acts as an important refuge for species that are affected by environmental disturbances such as development and bushfires. There are currently 12 threatened animal species in the area. You might even spot a lyrebird, the wildlife emblem of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Bush school and nature playgroups in Illawarra Do you want to ignite your child’s passion for the natural world? Join a fun, nature-based program run by Bush Magic Adventures in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area, near Wollongong.
- Byarong Park picnic area Easily accessible and featuring all the facilities needed to enjoy a barbecue, the popular Byarong Park picnic area also offers walking track access and birdwatching.
- Forest walk to Sublime Point track Combining several hiking tracks, this extended day walk is one of the region’s best, taking in scenic views of the coast and Sydney, with access to nearby forest picnic spots.
How it all began
The Illawarra Escarpment lands were occupied by the Wodi Wodi Aboriginal people for 20,000 years. As such, they are a source of cultural legends and of continuing spiritual significance: Mount Kembla and Mount Keira, for example, feature in a number of creation stories. The conversation area also contains traditional routes of travel between the coastal plain and the plateau.
- Mount Kembla Ring track Taking in a significant Aboriginal site, local heritage, stunning scenic rainforest and a notable landmark, the Mount Kembla Ring track offers a taste of everything.
Our colonial past
The Illawarra Escarpment area is full of important local heritage, including colonial roads like the ones constructed by Surveyor-General Thomas Mitchell around 1834. Some were even built by convicts. Keep your eyes open for buildings, portals, rail tracks and other features from former farming and coal mining.
- Mount Keira Ring track Encircling Mount Keira, the ring track passes through the varied terrains and forests of the Illawarra Escarpment, starting and finishing in a perfect picnic spot.
Weekend city escape
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area's convenient proximity to the city and public transport options means it has become an important venue for sports and recreation - on weekends it buzzes with hikers, picnickers, and cyclists.
- Byarong Park picnic area Easily accessible and featuring all the facilities needed to enjoy a barbecue, the popular Byarong Park picnic area also offers walking track access and birdwatching.
- Robertson lookout The most scenic views of Mount Keira can be found at Robertson’s lookout, and tables make this a terrific picnic spot as well.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)
With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.
-
Peron's tree frog (Litoria peroni)
Peron’s tree frog is found right across NSW. These tree-climbing and ground-dwelling Australian animals can quickly change colour, ranging from pale green-grey by day, to a reddish brown with emerald green flecks at night. The male frog has a drill-like call, which has been described as a 'maniacal cackle’.
-
Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)
The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.
Education resources (1)
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Wollongong office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 4224 4188
- npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Unit G Ground Floor, 84 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500
Park info
- in Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area in the South Coast region
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. However, it is recommended that bushwalking only be undertaken during daylight hours because of the presence of cliff edges and other hazards.
What's nearby:
Things to do (21)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (2)
- Canoeing/paddling (1)
- Cycling (1)
- Other experiences (3)
- Picnics and barbecues (2)
- Sightseeing (5)
- Swimming (1)
- Walking (12)
- Waterfalls (2)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (2)