Turon National Park

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Overview

Near Lithgow, 185km west of Sydney, Turon National Park is great for remote bushwalking and camping, trout fishing, birdwatching, swimming, mountain biking or canoeing.

Read more about Turon National Park

If you want to really feel like you’ve gotten away from it all with a remote and rugged bush camping experience, Turon National Park is a fantastic, accessible choice. Just 45km from Lithgow and 185km north of Sydney, here you can explore remote bushwalking and camping in a spectacular setting that features incredibly diverse vegetation, from wide-open eucalypt forest to silver wattles and river oaks.

The park has a fascinating history, both for its role in the Australian gold mining boom and its early Aboriginal occupation, which is believed to date back thousands of years. History buffs will be intrigued by the evidence of both that is still highly visible in the park.

You’ll also encounter plenty of interesting birds and animals, such as powerful owls hooting away at night and red wallabies sunning themselves on the sandstone tops during the daytime before descending to the valley at dusk. Be sure to take some time to enjoy a spot of trout fishing, swimming or canoeing on the gorgeously crystal clear stream that is Turon River.

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/visit-a-park/parks/turon-national-park/local-alerts

Contact

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Turon National Park.

Map


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Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    From Sydney:

    • Drive to Richmond, then follow State Route 40 along Bells Line of Road, through to Lithgow.
    • Turn right onto Great Western Highway, diverge right onto Castlereagh Highway and merge onto State Route 86, heading for Mudgee.
    • At Capertree, drive 1km further west on Castlereagh Highway and turn left onto gravel road to Turon National Park.
    • Alternatively, follow Great Western Highway up through Blue Mountains and head west to Lithgow, then Castlereagh Highway towards Mudgee, then turn left 1km past Capertee to Turon National Park.

    Road quality

    • Unsealed roads

    Vehicle access

    • All roads require 4WD vehicle

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    Turon National Park is not accessible by public transport.

    Best times to visit

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

    Autumn

    The cooler days make it a good time to enjoy the more active adventures in the park – such as remote bushwalking or mountain biking. Or take a tour from the comfort of your 4WD.

    Spring

    Thanks to bird migrations in the area, this is a fantastic time for keen birdwatchers to visit and see many interesting species. The mild weather also makes it a perfect time for camping with the kids.

    Summer

    Enjoy camping in the summer and cool off by paddling, swimming, fishing or canoeing on the river when the days are hot.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    7°C and 26°C

    Highest recorded

    25.2°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    -1°C and 10°C

    Lowest recorded

    -0.2°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    April

    Driest month

    January

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    135mm

    Facilities

    Toilets

    Picnic tables

    Barbecue facilities

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    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).

    Nearby towns

    Lithgow (45 km)

    Hassans Walls Lookout, near Lithgow, is the highest in the Blue Mountains. Admire Mt Wilson, Mt York, Mt Tarana and Mt Blaxland as well as the pretty Hartley Valley below. To the south are the Kanimbla and Megalong valley and Mt Bindo. While there, go for a walk or ride around the lookout.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Sydney City Centre (185 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.

    www.sydney.com

    Learn more

    Turon National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

      Important cultural history

      Reflections in the creek, Turon National Park. Photo: OEH

      Turon National Park is Wiradjuri Aboriginal country and is home to many sacred sites that bear witness to the land’s earliest occupiers. Archaeological surveys from recent times have revealed evidence of extensive Aboriginal occupation prior to European arrival in the area. Therefore, the park plays an important role in conserving evidence of traditional, historical and contemporary land use and is of cultural significance to the Wiradjuri people, as well as descendents of early settlers of European and Chinese heritage.

      Dramatic geological activity

      Trees along the river, Turon National Park. Photo: OEH

      Central west NSW has had an eventful geological history and the landscape of the area still bears striking reminders of these events, from gold mining remnants to volcanic activity. The gold extracted in the Turon area was alluvial, having washed down over millions of years, to be deposited in the gravels and silts of the creeks and streams.

      A prosperous gold mining area

      Trees along the river, Turon National Park. Photo: OEH

      In 1851, a delighted Aboriginal prospector found a large gold nugget in the Turon River. Subsequent valuable finds led to the development of the nearby town of Sofala during a gold mining boom. The park area has now been extensively mined for gold and many relics of this activity are still visible along the river’s banks. The park’s historic gold diggings hold local, regional and state significance and are on the NSW State Heritage Register.

      Riverine oak forest communities

      Turon National Park. Photo: D Noble

      Turon National Park protects regionally important stands of fringing riverine oak forest communities along Turon River. With an abundance of plant life, you can also find snow gum and ribbon gum woodlands in the area. If you're seeking an adventure, then explore the park and head to the relatively undisturbed ranges throughout the park, which are filled with eucalypt communities.

      Education resources (1)

      What we're doing

      Turon 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.