Kellys Falls picnic area
Garawarra State Conservation Area
Overview
Kellys Falls picnic area is a network of walking trails, cascading waterfalls and scenic lookouts within Garawarra State Conservation Area between Sydney and Wollongong, near Helensburgh.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Accessibility
- Easy
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
The rocks and paths around the waterfalls can be extremely slippery so please be careful if you venture there. Rock pools can also have dangerous submerged rocks just beneath the surface.
Read more about staying safe near waterfalls
Water cascades over the rocks and drops into a pool, providing a relaxing soundtrack to your lunch at Kellys Falls picnic area, a beautiful spot to get back to nature. From this picnic area, you can walk up to one of four scenic lookouts to take in the views of waterfalls and the rainforest-lined gullies below.
With satin bowerbirds, honeyeaters and wattle birds attracted by the flowering banksia, hakea, grevillea and towering Gymea lilies, it’s a great place for birdwatching.
From here, you can take a walk along one of the adjoining walking tracks; there are bushwalking links to Stanwell Tops and Illawarra Escarpment that take you to the northern suburbs of Wollongong.
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/picnic-areas/kellys-falls-picnic-area/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 Garawarra State Conservation Area in the Sydney and surrounds and South Coast regions
Garawarra is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Kellys Falls picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Kellys Falls picnic area is in the Kellys Falls precinct of Garawarra State Conservation Reserve. To get there:
- From F6 Freeway, take Helensburgh exit and follow Lawrence Hargrave Drive, before turning left into Kellys Falls.
- Travelling south from Grand Pacific Drive, turn left at the junction of Lawrence Hargrave Drive and Lady Wakehurst Drive. Kellys Falls is approximately 2km on your right, just before Walker Street.
Road quality
There is a section of unsealed road leading to the carpark once you turn off Lawrence Hargreaves Drive.
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Kellys Falls picnic area.
Facilities
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - easy
- Kellys Falls picnic area is fully wheelchair-accessible, although there are steps at the waterfalls.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
No fires are allowed in this reserve.
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
Kellys Falls picnic area is in Garawarra State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Activity central
Trails weave through 900ha of Garawarra bushland, down into Hacking River gullies and up to scenic lookouts. These trails connect with other bushwalking trails in neighbouring Royal and Heathcote national parks. If cycling or bushwalking are on the agenda for your retreat into nature, then be sure to take your bicycle and hiking boots with you. Feeling more adventurous? Check out the scenic bridle trails for some horse riding in the reserve, west of Helensburgh.
- Cawleys Road trail Cawleys Road trail is a wide, well-formed track popular for bushwalking, mountain biking and horse riding in Garawarra State Conservation Area, near Helensburgh.
- Kellys Falls picnic area Kellys Falls picnic area is a network of walking trails, cascading waterfalls and scenic lookouts within Garawarra State Conservation Area between Sydney and Wollongong, near Helensburgh.
The sights and sounds of nature
Wildflowers are a huge attraction for the area's birds and birdwatchers alike. Wattlebirds, known for the 'wattles' hanging from their cheeks or throats, are abundant. Listen out for unusual noises while bird watching; they could be coming from the lyrebird - the NPWS emblem. Common in the reserve, these ground-dwellers mimic sounds, both natural and artificial.
- Cawleys Road trail Cawleys Road trail is a wide, well-formed track popular for bushwalking, mountain biking and horse riding in Garawarra State Conservation Area, near Helensburgh.
- Kellys Falls picnic area Kellys Falls picnic area is a network of walking trails, cascading waterfalls and scenic lookouts within Garawarra State Conservation Area between Sydney and Wollongong, near Helensburgh.
Wilderness zone
Garawarra State Conservation Area borders Royal National Park and, along with the Nasho, was added to the National Heritage list in 2006. With its close proximity to the ocean and temperate climate, a number of environments flourish in this park, including open heath, eucalypt forests and subtropical forests. In late winter and early spring, the area comes alive with colour as banksias, Christmas bells and wattles bloom.
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
- Royal National Park Visitor Centre
- 8.30am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 9542 0648
- 1300 072 757 for campground and cottage bookings
- npws.royal@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 2 Lady Carrington Drive, Audley, NSW 2232
Park info
- in Garawarra State Conservation Area in the Sydney and surrounds and South Coast regions
Garawarra is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
What's nearby:
Things to do (105)
- Aboriginal culture (9)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (30)
- Cafes and kiosks (2)
- Canoeing/paddling (8)
- Cultural heritage (5)
- Cycling (6)
- Educational activities (2)
- Fishing (9)
- Historic heritage (14)
- Horse riding (1)
- Other experiences (3)
- Photography (2)
- Picnics and barbecues (31)
- Sailing, boating and cruises (1)
- Sightseeing (38)
- Snorkelling and scuba (2)
- Surfing (1)
- Swimming (14)
- Visitor centres (3)
- Walking (52)
- Waterfalls (10)
- Waterhole (1)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (11)