When

Contact YouthAdvance for expedition dates.

Where

Marramarra National Park in Sydney and surrounds

Accessibility

No wheelchair access

Price

Contact YouthAdvance for pricing.

Bookings

Bookings required. Book online or email or call YouthAdvance on 02 8957 5428.

Please note

• YouthAdvance expeditions meet the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program guidelines for its Adventurous Journey Section.
• Expeditions for all levels of adventurous journeys available.
• School-specific programs offered, as well as open programs for individuals during school holidays.

Go hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing or canyoning on an unforgettable journey with the experienced and qualified guides of YouthAdvance Australia.

These expeditions in national parks including Marramarra are a fun and exciting way for students in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program to complete their adventurous journey.

Get all the help you need from YouthAdvance’s friendly outdoor professionals. Learn exciting new skills like navigation, campcraft and teamwork on your practice expedition, then head out into nature for your qualifying expedition, where you'll be assessed by your guides.

Rather than lead from the front, YouthAdvance guides mentor and instruct you from the back. They give you the confidence you need to step up, take responsibility and work with a team. It’s a great way to learn how to make important decisions in the great outdoors.

YouthAdvance is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Getting there and parking

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Darug country

Marramarra is part of the traditional lands of the Darug Aboriginal people. Their use and respect of the land can be found in isolated corners of the park. The surviving Aboriginal sites, which provide the only indications of traditional life in the area, are of special importance to local Aboriginal communities. Cave art, rock engravings, grinding grooves, middens, scarred trees, and other occupational deposits and stone arrangements are all part of Marramarra. 

Exploring the land

In the early days of the new colony, Hawkesbury River was a major communication route and supported an active river-based community. European exploration began as early as 1789 when Governor Arthur Phillip took his second trip up Hawkesbury River and camped at Gentlemans Halt. By 1884, there was a small community at Gentlemans Halt and a provisional school had been established; you can still see the foundations of a road and a wharf from this era. Other reminders of European historic heritage include remains of orange orchards along Marramarra Creek and the foundations of a hut, stone walls and a well at Big Bay.

Is it a bird?

Marramarra is home to a great diversity of animals and birds, making it a great place for wildlife spotting and bird watching. You're likely to spot a white-breasted sea eagle, swamp wallaby, possum or kingfisher in your travels. If you're lucky, you might come across some of the more uncommon animals found here such as rails, gang-gang and glossy black cockatoos, and red-crowned toadlets.

Plentiful lands

The sandstone ridges and deep gullies of Marramarra support a wide range of environments. Experience salt marsh and mangrove forests on the shores of Hawkesbury River, to tall open forest and ridge-top woodlands. In spring, the bush turns into a brilliant display of colour as the wildflowers burst in action. Discover the unique plant life and help preserve it – why not participate in the bush regeneration volunteer programs in the park?