Thirlmere Lakes National Park
Thirlmere Lakes National Park is perfect for a relaxing picnic, walk, birdwatching, and glimpse into locomotive history, near Picton south of Sydney.
Read more about Thirlmere Lakes National Park
Thirlmere Lakes National Park is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property, and makes a great day trip from Sydney.
Pack a picnic and head to Werri Berri picnic area, where you can make use of the free barbecues to cook up a feast while enjoying the fresh Wollondilly Shire air.
Walk off your lunch along the 6km Thirlmere Lakes walking track, which starts from Couridjah picnic area. There's no directional signage but this moderate track is well-defined. The walk is easily combined with a visit to the restored sandstone Heritage Pump Station, for a glimpse into Picton's steam train and railway history.
Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for some of the 140 birds that inhabit the park, including the white-faced heron, musk duck, and white-bellied sea eagle. Many native Australian plants can also be found here. The mild weather of spring is a great time to admire the colourful ground orchids.
Thirlmere Lakes National Park is named for its 5 freshwater lakes, which are thought to be around 15 million years old. There's no swimming or canoeing in the lakes when water levels are low.
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/thirlmere-lakes-national-park/local-alerts
Contact
- in the Sydney and surrounds region
Thirmere Lakes is open from from 5.30am to 8pm during daylight savings and 5.30am to 6pm rest of year. The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Glenbrook office
02 4632 4500 Infoline
Contact hours: Entry station is only open on weekends, public holidays and school holidays. - 68 Bruce Road, Glenbrook NSW 2773
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Email: npws.hawkesburynattai@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Glenbrook office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Thirlmere Lakes National Park.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Picton:
- Travel south along Remembrance Drive. Turn right onto Thirlmere Way and then right onto Richardson Street, veering left at Westbourne Avenue and continuing on Barbour Road. You can enter the park on Slades Road or Pumphouse Road.
From Bargo:
- Head northwest on Remembrance Drive. At Tahmoor, turn left onto Bargo River Road and at Couridjah, turn right onto West Parade. Enter the park at either Pumphouse Road or Slades Road into Thirlmere Lakes National Park.
Parking
- Werri Berri picnic area See on map
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
Thirlmere National park is not accessible by public transport.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Thirlmere Lakes National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Admire the ground orchids and active birdlife along Thirlmere Lakes track, or enjoy a pleasant picnic and barbecue at Lake Couridjah picnic area.
Winter
Photo opportunities with frost and misty lakes make this a great time of year to capture an iconic photograph.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
14°C and 28°C
Highest recorded
42.8°C
Winter temperature
Average
2°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
-10° C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
245.9mm
Facilities
Maps and downloads
Fees and passes
Park entry fees:
Under review. No park entry fees collected.
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
Picton (10 km)
Discover Picton's fine heritage architecture on a self-guided walking tour or visit historic Tahmoor House (limited open days). Enjoy a traditionally-brewed beer at George 4th Inn, opened in 1839 for travellers along the Great South Road.
Bowral (37 km)
Spring is tulip time while summer has fragrant roses and autumn, flowering bulbs. Bowral Tulip Festival runs from the end of September until early October; the Autumn Garden Festival is held in May.
Campbelltown (44 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.
Learn more
Thirlmere Lakes National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
Birdwatcher’s paradise
The pristine waters of Thirlmere Lakes National Park provide the perfect sanctuary for more than 140 species of birds, which can be spotted in and around the area. As you’re walking along the Thirlmere Lakes track, keep an eye out for waders and waterfowl. Other birds you may encounter while you’re exploring include the white-faced heron, musk duck, pacific black duck pied cormorant, Australasian grebe, and white-bellied sea eagle.
- Thirlmere Lakes walking track Thirlmere Lakes walking track is a 6km walk around three of the park’s lakes and picnic areas - Gandangarra, Werri-Berri and Couridjah - and the historic Heritage Pump Station.
- Werri Berri picnic area Werri Berri picnic area is a great spot for picnicking or barbecuing by the lake. You can even walk the nearby Thirlmere Lakes track or visit the Heritage Pump Station.
Steam train locomotive history
Water from the lakes was once pumped to Couridjah to replenish steam train locomotives on the old southern railway line. Historically significant remnants of this era remain in the park, including the restored sandstone Heritage Pump Station and the pump housekeeper’s track.
- Heritage Pump Station For a bit of locomotive history near Picton, visit the Heritage Pump Station. This historic site was once used to replenish steam trains on the old southern railway line.
Rock and roll
Formed over millions of years from the effects of weather and erosion, the majestic Hawkesbury sandstone which surrounds Thirlmere Lakes is a sight to behold. With sandstone plateau slopes which meander downward from the east and west, meeting in the middle to form Blue Gum Creek, the water rolls perfectly down into this idyllic spot where you can swim and go paddling.
- Werri Berri picnic area Werri Berri picnic area is a great spot for picnicking or barbecuing by the lake. You can even walk the nearby Thirlmere Lakes track or visit the Heritage Pump Station.
Education resources (1)
What we're doing
Thirlmere Lakes National Park 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.
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
Contact
- in the Sydney and surrounds region
Thirmere Lakes is open from from 5.30am to 8pm during daylight savings and 5.30am to 6pm rest of year. The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
-
Glenbrook office
02 4632 4500 Infoline
Contact hours: Entry station is only open on weekends, public holidays and school holidays. - 68 Bruce Road, Glenbrook NSW 2773
-
Email: npws.hawkesburynattai@environment.nsw.gov.au
-
Glenbrook office