Lake Eckersley picnic area
Heathcote National Park
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Lake Eckersley picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Lake Eckersley picnic area sits on the shore of Lake Eckersley in the middle of Heathcote National Park. It can only be accessed by foot from Heathcote or Waterfall.
To get there via Heathcote train station:
- Walk from the end of Oliver Street, following Pipeline fire trail (1.5 hour walk on a bush track)
- Follow the signs to the picnic area
To get there via Waterfall train station:
- Walk from the end of Warrabin Street (2.5 hour steep walk on a bush track)
- Follow the signs to Lake Eckersley, off Pipeline fire trail
It's quite a long walk from the park’s entrance to the picnic area, so be sure to bring a Heathcote National Park topographic map.
Vehicle access
- No vehicle access
Parking
There is no vehicle access to the picnic area. Parking is available at:
- Heathcote, at the western end of Oliver Street (1.5 hour walk on a bush track to get to the picnic area)
- Waterfall, at the northern end of Warrabin Street (2.5 hour steep walk on a bush track to get to the picnic area)
Facilities
Lake Eckersley is a remote picnic area. There are no facilities:
- Water, toilets and picnic tables are not available here so please pack accordingly.
- There are no rubbish bins – please take all rubbish with you when you leave.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
It is a long walk along a bush track from the park entrance to the picnic area. The walk is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Gathering firewood
Generators
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
- Royal National Park Visitor Centre
- 8.30am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 9542 0648
- 1300 072 757 for campground and cottage bookings
- npws.royal@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 2 Lady Carrington Drive, Audley, NSW 2232
Park info
- in Heathcote National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and South Coast regions
Heathcote National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.