Karloo Pools & Walking Track – 2024 Walkthrough for This Incredible Wild Swimming Location!

Karloo Pools is an incredible wild swimming location sitting on the southern outskirts of Sydney.

The area is popular with nature lovers as they can enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the challenging track before diving in for a dip in the cool, clear waters of Kangaroo Creek.

If you are looking for a great spot to take a picnic and spend the whole day relaxing in nature, this is the perfect place to add to your adventure list.

Where is Karloo Pools?

Karloo Pools is located in Heathcote just 40 minutes from Sydney CBD and 35 minutes north of Wollongong.

Situated in the Royal National Park, the area is renowned for gorgeous landscapes and native Australian wildlife.

Directions / Where to Park?

For directions, please click the link to Google Maps.

Parking can be found at Heathcote Station on the east side of the railway line.

TIP: The car park is small and can fill up quickly on busy days, so if you plan on going on a weekend or public holiday, we suggest getting there early.

What to Expect from Karloo Pools and Karloo Track?

From the beginning of the Karloo track, you know you’re in for a rugged hike.

There are three different entrances to the walk that have been carved out by walkers, however for ease of direction, we’ll start at the Karloo Track sign which is the official beginning of the walk.

To begin, follow the narrow roadway just past the Heathcote Station car park and the beginning of the track is on the left.

The start of the walk is a rugged downhill dirt trail that eventually leads you out onto a flat dirt track at the back of a row of houses.

After about 5 minutes, you’ll arrive at a fork in the road that follows the Karloo Track to the right.

This is where the track really begins…

…And where you capture your first glimpses of the beauty along the trail.

Lined with Bush Banksias, Gymea Lilies, and tall Eucalypt trees, it’s a paradise of native Aussie bushland.

We were fascinated with how green the shrubbery was in stark contrast to their arid surroundings.

As you begin to make your way through the dense bushland, there is one section of track that has been washed out and looks like a little creek bed.

But it’s easy enough to navigate if you watch your step and honestly, it looks so pretty that you barely notice the bumps.

And it’s a good thing too because this is just a taste of what’s to come.

This beautiful walk really is one of the most rugged bush trails we’ve completed with the majority of the walk being uneven dirt track. But although rough, at least this next small section is flat…ish.

However, it doesn’t last. Once you reach your first creek crossing roughly 15 minutes into the walk, the flat-ish gradient almost completely disappears.

Now the creek crossing is small and easy to navigate unless there’s been heavy rain, but the stone can still be slippery so be sure to watch your step.

Oh, but as you cross the creek, don’t forget to have a look around or you may miss the little waterfall just upstream. It makes for a lovely photo!

And this is where the track becomes more challenging.

Not long after the stream, the trail starts an incline winding through several boulders before reaching a large stone slab.

Follow the slab to the top left to reach the next section of the track.

Just be careful along the stone because although it’s quite grippy with sand underfoot, some parts can become slippery after rain.

Thankfully, once you reach the top, the walk evens out again for a small period so you can catch your breath.

However, we did notice along this section of the walk how exposed it is to the sun.

This means that due to the lack of shade, it can be very hot here. So if you haven’t put sunscreen on before now, we highly recommend doing so.

As you continue along the top of the mountain, the track guides you along the edge where you’ll come across an unfenced ledge. The path isn’t slippery, however, it’s still a good idea not to get too close.

That said, we loved the scenery here with stunning valley views and beautiful Aussie bush framing the track.

But just like that, the flat track is replaced by another set of rocky stairs, a rugged trail and some scrambling… what a great combination!

Thankfully that’s it for the uphill leg of the journey to Karloo Pools, and the rest is pretty much downhill all the way.

Now, this will be a welcome reprieve to most, but just remember, if there is a descent, there will also be an ascent on the way back… and it’s steep!

It takes roughly 15 minutes from here to Karloo Pools… straight down.

And there are several areas that require scrambling, so just be sure to watch your step so you don’t hurt yourself.

But once you finally reach the bottom, there is one more obstacle to cross before making it out to Kangaroo Creek…

Yep, a big ol’ tree has come down on the track so you now have a log to cross.

And why not, it all just adds to the fun of the track we reckon.

Once you’ve crossed the log, the walk branches off in two directions.

To the left is the shady side of Karloo Pools, and to the right, after crossing the shallows of Kangaroo Creek, you’ll come out on the sunny side of Karloo Pools.

We started by exploring the left track and it was stunning!

The water is that clear that you can see the boulders on the bottom of the sandy creek bed.

It was very enticing that we couldn’t wait to jump in, especially after such a gruelling hike.

I mean honestly, who doesn’t want to swim at a waterfall, no matter how small it is?

The water was so refreshing, and although cold at first, it was a welcome relief from the heat.

TIP: If you want the place to yourself, try to get there early! We made it to Karloo Pools fairly early and there was only one other person there, however, not long after about 20 others joined us… and that was on a Thursday!

But the good news is, even though it can be busy, there is plenty of room for everyone. This fantastic little spot has spacious clear banks on both sides so there’s ample room to spread out.

Plus there are shady trees on both sides of the creek to perch and have a picnic, so once you’ve gone for a dip, it’s the perfect place to throw the picnic rug down and relax.

You may even be greeted by the curious resident water dragons! But don’t be alarmed, they are pretty harmless as long as you don’t try to get too close.

And when you’re ready to leave, just follow the track back up the hill the way you came in.

But just remember, the trail to the top is very steep for long periods of time. So if you need to stop and take a breath… or three, it’s ok!

Take the opportunity to admire the scenery, because there is plenty of natural beauty along this track.

However, if you want to continue exploring, there is still more to see along the Karloo Track.

Check it out below.

Hidden Gem

If you’re willing to walk an extra 2.5 kilometres (1.25 hours) from Karloo Pools along another hard track, you will discover Uloola Falls.

This beautiful place not only has a lovely waterfall with pristine waters but also boasts a campground and toilet.

So if you’re looking for an overnight stopover, this is a great place to camp.

PLEASE NOTE: The campgrounds have restricted access at the moment due to upgrades, so please follow the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services website for the latest information. And remember: Bookings are essential.

Important Information

How Long is the Walk to Karloo Pools?

The walk to Karloo Pools is roughly a 5 kilometre out-and-back trail that starts at Heathcote Train Station and meanders along the Karloo Track in the Royal National Park.

The walk takes roughly 2.5 hours to complete depending on stopping and break time to catch your breath.

What is the Signage and Trail Quality Like?

There is signage at the beginning of the track and at every fork in the road only. However, this isn’t a problem because the trail is pretty self-explanatory.

The Karloo Track is a clearly marked-out dirt trail with several steep and rugged sections of rock to navigate.

What is the Track Difficulty?

The walk is very challenging, especially on the way back, thanks to the steep rock scrambling.

The steep ascents coupled with the rugged path are enough to get even the toughest heart beating fast.

We only recommend this walk for anyone with a moderate to advanced fitness level due to the massive cardio workout heading back up the mountain.

If you have any serious pre-existing injuries or medical conditions, we suggest trying a milder walk such as Wattamolla or National Falls.

What Should I Wear?

We recommend hiking boots for this walk as they offer great ankle support, especially when navigating the rocky ground. Most hiking boots are also waterproof.

But if you don’t have any, sneakers are ok as long as they have good quality grip.

If you’d like more information on what to wear, we recommend the following list available here.

Water, sunscreen, a hat and snacks are essential items for this walk.

Is This Track Child Friendly?

The short answer is not really.

This track takes 2.5 hours to complete and with a hard grading, it is tough. For this reason, we recommend considering your child’s fitness level before setting out.

We personally wouldn’t take children under 8 years, however, we understand that each child’s hiking ability is different.

SAFETY NOTE: There are unprotected cliff edges and a water hole along this walk so close attention to children is vital.

Is There Wheelchair Access Along the Karloo Track?

No. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to Karloo Pools along the Karloo Track.

Are There Amenities at Karloo Pools?

No, there are no amenities at Karloo Pools, but further along, there is a toilet at Uloola Falls Campground.

Can You Swim at Karloo Pools?

That’s a whopping big YES!!!

This is one of the best wild swimming spots in the Royal National Park.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit?

Karloo Pools is great to visit in warmer months if you intend to swim.

However, if you’re just looking for a challenging walking track with great scenery, any time of year would suit.

TIP: Just remember that after heavy rain though, the trail may not be passable. So keep an eye on NPWS for updates.

Is There Phone Service?

There is limited phone service in the Royal National Park.

Are Pets Allowed?

According to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, no pets other than certified assistance animals are permitted in the Royal National Park.

Is Smoking Allowed?

All NSW National Parks are no smoking areas according to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. For more information, please check their website.

Is Karloo Pools Worth the Trip?

It really is! Although this walk is very tough, the swim in those crystal clear fresh waters is so worth the effort.

And the stunning native Australian scenery just adds to the charm of this beautiful nature walk.

So if you’re looking for a challenging walk with the best reward for your efforts, we highly recommend a visit to Karloo Pools!

Where To Eat Near Karloo Pools?

First of all, we highly recommend taking a picnic lunch so you can enjoy the whole day at Karloo Pools.

But if you prefer to eat out, we suggest visiting The Local Pantry at Engadine, just one suburb away.

This award-winning cafe has great coffee and a great range of food. Plus the service is excellent and the staff are friendly making it the perfect place to unwind after a gruelling hike.

Where to Stay Near Karloo Pools?

If you’re looking to stay close by, we recommend visiting booking.com below for the best deals.

But our personal favourite (with breakfast included) is the Sydney Executive Garden Apartments. However, they are on the luxury side of the budget.