Adams lookout

Bungonia National Park

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Overview

Adams lookout, great for birdwatching and picnicking, is the only platform in Bungonia that offers a view of the magnificent limestone feature of Bungonia Slot Canyon.

Type
Lookouts
Accessibility
Medium
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
What to
bring
Drinking water
Please note
The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.

Adams lookout may seem to be a pretty ordinary name, so it may not prepare you for the extraordinary view that awaits you at the end of the walkway. Like a well-constructed movie, the relatively flat paved path keeps you in suspense nearly all the way to the two-tiered platform.

You’re then hit with the most fantastic view in the park of the 300m high limestone cliffs of Bungonia Slot Canyon (only 25m apart), the beautiful Bungonia Creek Gorge and distant views of Ettrema Wilderness way over in Morton National Park.

After you’ve managed to turn away from the spectacular view, have a look around to see if you can spot the pair of nesting peregrine falcons that regularly fly above the gorge near this lookout. Bring a picnic lunch with you and, like the rock-climbers who come to Bungonia to scale its canyon walls, hang around for a while. Finally, join up with the Green track to explore more of the natural environment.

Take a virtual tour of Adams lookout captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/lookouts/adams-lookout/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Adams lookout.

Getting there and parking

Adams lookout is in the northern precinct of Bungonia National Park. To get there:

  • From Bungonia follow Lookdown Road to the park entrance
  • Drive past the park office for approximately 300m
  • Turn left into Adams lookout Road (unsealed) and follow to the end.
  • The lookout is an easy 200m walk from here.

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available in Adams lookout, including a designated disabled spot.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Bungonia National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

After the heat of summer has subsided, take advantage of the milder weather for hiking in the park.

Spring

Enjoy bushwalking in the comfortable temperatures of this time of year when the wildflowers are at their finest. Late in the season, the stands of brittle gum become extremely photogenic as their white trunks turn pink.

Winter

Deeper exploration of caves is possible when their carbon dioxide levels reduce in winter as the warm air from within rises and the caves ‘breathe'.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

12°C and 26°C

Highest recorded

40°C

Winter temperature

Average

1°C and 13°C

Lowest recorded

-9°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

March

Driest month

September

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

200.7mm

Facilities

Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Gas/electric barbecues (free)

Carpark

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

Assistance may be required to access this area.

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

Adams lookout is in Bungonia National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Endless caving opportunities

Bungonia lookout, Bungonia National Park. Photo: OEH

Known as the adventure capital of the Southern Tablelands, Bungonia is a place to really test your limits. There are around 200 wild caves in the park, many of which are open for experienced cavers to explore. For an exciting journey of waterfalls and plunge pools, Bungonia Creek and Jerrara Creek are the most popular canyoning spots. Bungonia Slot Canyon provides one of the few opportunities in Australia for climbing limestone and is as dramatic a place to scale a rock wall as its name suggests.

  • De Kerrilleau picnic area Bungonia National Park, in easy reach of Canberra, is an outdoor adventure playground offering caving, canyoning, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and impressive views.
  • The Lookdown lookout It’s an easy walk from the carpark at the end of Lookdown Road to Bungonia lookdown, which offers superb scenic views into Bungonia Creek Gorge and beyond.

Once upon a time

Shoalhaven Gorge, Bungonia National Park. Photo: OEH

The park lies across the traditional lands of the Njunawal tribal group, the northwest corner of the Wandandian tribal territory and the southern boundary of the Gandangara tribal group. The ridge tops were almost certainly travel routes as people shifted in accordance with the seasonal availability of food. Evidence of campsites exists on the main plateau and limestone dolines contain edible plants consumed or used by Aboriginal people.

One of our oldest parks

Adams lookout, Bungonia National Park. Photo: Ford Kristo

This park is one of the oldest in New South Wales. It was first protected as a water reserve in 1872, which was also the same year the world's first national park - Yellowstone, in USA - was established. Just as Yellowstone's geothermal features pull the crowds, Bungonia's geomorphology, both above and belowground, are its main draw. Louis Guymer was the park's first caretaker (1889-1909), who discovered caves and erected gates and ladders, some of which you may use during your visit.

  • Bungonia Gorge guided adventure treks Go on a day hike or weekend trek to Bungonia Gorge with 100% Adventure. It’s a great way to experience Bungonia National Park, the adventure capital of the Southern Tablelands.

Winged and furry

Lace Monitor, Bungonia National Park. Photo: Mark Selmes

The vulnerable large bent-wing bat calls Bungonia home, and certain caves are closed during the year to help provide a safe environment for breeding and hibernation. When open, look out for a colony, cloud or cauldron of bats as you explore the limestone labyrinths of their natural habitat. A small population of koalas, classified as threatened, also inhabit the park.

  • Adams lookout Adams lookout, great for birdwatching and picnicking, is the only platform in Bungonia that offers a view of the magnificent limestone feature of Bungonia Slot Canyon.
  • Green track Enjoy Green track’s fairly easy hike, a walking track loop through woodlands, gullies, gorges and rainforest, taking in all the park’s major scenic lookouts and wildlife.

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