Cascades picnic area
Macquarie Pass National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Cascades picnic area.
Getting there and parking
From Sydney and Wollongong:
- Take the Princes Highway and Southern Freeway to the Illawarra Highway turnoff at Haywards Bay
- Travel about 14km along the Illawarra Highway, which veers right in Albion Park, to Macquarie Pass National Park and the Cascades picnic area.
From Robertson:
- Take the Illawarra Highway east to reach Macquarie Pass National Park and the Cascades picnic area
From Nowra:
- Head north along the Princes Highway and turn west into Tongarra Road at Albion Park Rail
- Travel about 15km along Tongarra Road , which becomes the Illawarra Highway, to Macquarie Pass National Park and the Cascades picnic area.
The main road used to access Macquarie Pass National Park is the Illawarra Highway which may close at times due to road works or accidents. For information on whether the Illawarra Highway is open, contact NSW Roads and Maritime Services on 13 22 13 or check Live Traffic NSW before you visit.
Caution should be exercised when exiting and entering the Illawarra Highway
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Cascades picnic area, including limited bus parking. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Macquarie Pass National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Take on some longer walks and see the lilly pillys fruiting.
Spring
Smell the sweet scent of flowering pittosporum and wattle throughout the park.
Summer
Walk in the cool of the rainforest and see the Illawarra flame trees and coachwoods in flower.
Winter
Enjoy the early wattle blooming at the edge of the forest and bring your binoculars for the bird activity of late winter.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 25°C
Highest recorded
42.4°C
Winter temperature
Average
8°C and 18°C
Lowest recorded
2.3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
304.4mm
Facilities
Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own. Please do not drink the creek water.
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Assistance may be required to access this area
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood may not be collected from the park.
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.
Operated by
- Wollongong office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 4224 4188
- npws.illawarrahighlands@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Unit G Ground Floor, 84 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500
Park info
- in Macquarie Pass National Park in the South Coast and Country NSW regions
Macquarie Pass National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.