Bents Basin State Conservation Area
Overview
Visit Bents Basin State Conservation Area near Penrith and Camden for a school excursion or to go fishing, camping, swimming or picnicking.
Read more about Bents Basin State Conservation Area
Bents Basin, a deep waterhole that forms part of a gorge on the Nepean River between Camden and Penrith, is a perfect place for swimming, canoeing and fishing. If you’d like to keep your feet on dry land, relaxing by the basin is pleasant as well; it’s backed by a forested escarpment which rises dramatically from the water’s edge. After a tasty picnic or barbecue lunch, take the walk up to Caleys lookout for views of the area – be sure to keep your eyes peeled for native animals and birds long the way.
Bents Basin State Conservation Area is a great place to visit on a daytrip and if you’d like to stay longer, bring your tent or caravan along to set up camp under the stars. If you’re interested in finding out more about the park’s landscape, plants and animals, be sure to arrange a guided tour with a ranger.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/bents-basin-state-conservation-area/local-alerts
Map
Map legend
Contact
- in the Sydney and surrounds region
Bents Basin State Conservation Area is open 8am to 6pm from May to August and 8am to 8pm from September to April. The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Day passes are available from on-park pay machines that accept coins and credit cards, and you can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Buy annual pass. -
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Scheyville office
02 4580 2750
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Closed public holidays. - 71 Memorial Drive, Scheyville 2756
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Email: npws.cumberland@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Scheyville office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Bents Basin State Conservation Area.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Wallacia (north entry):
- Drive southwest on Mulgoa Road/Tourist Drive 18
- At the Wallacia roundabout, take the second exit to Silverdale Road
- Turn left onto Bents Basin Road and follow signs for Bents Basin
From Wallacia (south/east entry):
- Drive southwest on Mulgoa Road/Tourist Drive 18
- Turn right onto Greendale Road
- Turn right onto Wolstenholme Avenue and follow signs for Bents Basin campground
Parking
- Bents Basin campground See on map
- Bents Basin Road picnic area See on map
- Durawi picnic area See on map
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
Best times to visit
Bents Basin State Conservation Area is a great place to visit all year round. Head to the park for a camping weekend in spring, a weekend picnic in the winter sun or a sunny summer day for lots of water activities.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
15°C and 29°C
Highest recorded
45°C
Winter temperature
Average
3°C and 16°C
Lowest recorded
-6°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
February
Driest month
July
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
156mm
Facilities
Amenities
Toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
Drinking water
Public phone
Showers
Electric power
Maps and downloads
Fees and passes
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. Day passes are available from on-park pay machines that accept coins and credit cards, and you can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
- All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
- Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)
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.
Nearby towns
Penrith (24 km)
Summer is an ideal time to visit Penrith - one of Sydney's best inland aquatic playgrounds. Have fun riding the rapids at Penrith Whitewater Stadium,, visit Sydney International Regatta Centre, paddle on Nepean Gorge in a canoe or relax with a picnic by the Nepean River.
Campbelltown (33 km)
For nature lovers, the Macarthur region has plenty of natural attractions. Explore nature reserves and wildlife trails or see spectacular native flora and fauna at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, the largest botanic garden in Australia.
Sydney City Centre (68 km)
No trip to Sydney is complete without spending some time in the city’s beautiful parks. Whether it’s in central areas like Hyde Park or the Royal Botanic Gardens or further out in Centennial Parklands, there’s plenty of green space to go out and enjoy.
Learn more
Bents Basin State Conservation Area is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Rare communities
A visit to the park allows you to see majestic Camden white gums in one of only two known naturally-occurring populations. Look out also for Cumberland Plain woodland which once blanketed almost 30% of the Sydney Basin. Today, its scattered fragments cover less than 6% and remain under threat. Important fauna species include the regent honey eater, Cumberland Plain land snail, eastern bentwing bat, sooty owl and the glossy black cockatoo.
- Caleys lookout track Caleys lookout track is a short and steep walk through bushland of Bents Basin State Conservation Area near Penrith. Take your lunch – it’s a great spot for a picnic.
Fascinating and fun
The basin itself is what draws most people here. Known as a scour pool, this geological formation is like a small lake, created over time by fast-flowing floodwaters exiting the gorge about 30-40km/hr. At 22m deep, its waters travel 150km before reaching the ocean. In addition to that, it's heaps of fun to visit for a spot for swimming, fishing, paddling and liloing.
Bygone days
Explorer and botanist George Caley was the first European to visit the area in 1802 and afterwards collected plant specimens for preservation. The area was later used as a stopping point for early settlers travelling from the developing east. If you're interested in the local history of western Sydney, be sure to check out the historic inn, established in the 1860's and listed on both the state and National Heritage Register, you'll find it near Peppercorn picnic area.
Aboriginal heritage
Bents Basin State Conservation Area is the traditional land of the Gundungurra, Dharawal and Darug people. Also known as Gulguer (meaning whirlpool or spinning), Bents Basin is associated with an awful aquatic creature called Gurungadge or Gurungaty. This creature is prominent in the area's ancestral stories. Archaeological finds suggest the area was also an important trading place. Bents Basin and the adjoining Gulguer Nature Reserve protect a variety of Aboriginal rock art and artefacts.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)
One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.
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Eastern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
Found across most of NSW, the eastern snake-necked turtle, also known as the eastern long-necked turtle, can be found in swamps, lakes and inland waterways. This freshwater turtle is carnivorous and lives most of its life submerged on the water’s edge, searching for worms and snails.
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Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
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Eastern blue-tongue lizard (Tiliqua scinciodes)
The eastern blue-tongue lizard, one of the largest skinks in Australia, is found throughout most of NSW. When threatened, the eastern blue-tongue lizard displays its blue tongue in a wide-mouthed intimidating show. Not an agile animal, they feed on slow-moving beetles and snails.
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Cumberland Plain land snail (Meridolum corneovirens)
The endangered Cumberland Plain land snail is only found on the Cumberland Plain, west of Sydney. During drought it digs deep into the soil to escape harsh conditions. Its brown shell is thin and fragile.
Environments in this park
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Bents Basin State Conservation Area has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents. Here is just some of the work we’re doing to conserve these values:
Preserving biodiversity
Bents Basin State Conservation Area provides a range of habitats for the endangered ecological communities. The threatened Camden white gum occurs within Bents Basin and is one of only two known naturally occurring populations. Known threatened species and communities within the state conservation will also be periodically re-surveyed to update population records.
Managing weeds, pest animals and other threats
Pests and weeds have a significant impact on the ecosystems within Bents Basin Conservation Area. Risk assessments for new and emerging weeds are carried out as an ongoing initiative within the conservation area. Pest management is an important part of the work NPWS does to protect the integrity of biodiversity which exists within Bents Basin.
Developing visitor facilities and experiences
Interpretive signage upgrades and updated visitor information in Bents Basin State Conservation Area is an ongoing priority. Enhancement of this visitor information is intended to promote safe and environmentally-friendly use of facilities within the state conservation area, as well as communicate the core values of Bents Basin Conservation Area.
Conserving our Aboriginal culture
The local Aboriginal peoples, Gundungurra, Dharawal and Darug, will continue to be consulted and involved in the management of Bents Basin State Conservation Area. Culture camps and other activities that support research, preservation, interpretation and presentation of Aboriginal culture, will continue to take part in Bents Basin State Conservation Area.
Managing fire
NSW is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world as a result of our climate, weather systems, vegetation and the rugged terrain. NPWS is committed to maintaining natural and cultural heritage values and minimising the likelihood and impact of bushfires via a strategic program of fire research, fire planning, hazard reduction, highly trained rapid response firefighting crews and community alerts.