Hersey trail

Where

Budderoo National Park in South Coast, Country NSW

Accessibility

No wheelchair access

Distance

17.6km return

Time suggested

6hrs

Grade

Grade 5

Trip Intention Form

It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.

Entry fees

Park entry fees apply in the Minnamurra Rainforest area only.

What to
bring

Drinking water, sturdy shoes, clothes for all weather conditions, first aid kit, personal locator beacon, hat, sunscreen, snacks

Please note

• Walking to the base of Gerringong Falls is prohibited. Many people have been seriously injured when making the descent. Don’t become one of them.
• It’s better to walk this trail between autumn and spring when the weather is cooler. The track is extremely hot and exposed in summer.
• Cars or trucks may pass you on the walk as this trail is shared with private property owners.
• There’s no public vehicle access past the locked gate at the start of Budderoo track.
• You can cycle this trail on a mountain bike – it takes 2-4 hours.

Long and exposed, with no facilities or directional signage, Hersey trail in Budderoo National Park is a strenuous hike. It’s 8.8km each way and best suited to experienced bushwalkers. 

The walk begins at Budderoo track and continues for around 6km through sedge and heathland dotted with bloodwood, peppermint and silvertop ash. 

Trek past a short section of mountain grey gums and keep an eye out for the start of Hersey fire trail on your right. Take this path for 2.6km to Gerringong Creek, where you can follow the creek downstream to find Gerringong Falls cascading more than 150m into the valley below.

Although the lookout at the top of the falls is open to visitors, the base of the falls is closed – there’s no track down and people have been seriously injured trying to make the descent.

Before your visit, it’s a good idea to complete a trip intention form and hire a personal locator beacon because there’s limited mobile reception and no signage to direct you. Come prepared for the exposed track conditions with a hat, sunscreen, and 2 litres of drinking water per person.

Be sure to carry out all your rubbish with you and protect this remote environment, home to greater gliders, eastern bristlebirds, long nose potoroos and spotted-tailed quolls.

If you’d prefer a less challenging walk in this park, Minnamurra Falls walk and Carrington Falls walking track have lookouts with breathtaking waterfall and rainforest views. Or you can take in the impressive cliffs and plateaus of nearby Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info