Rockpool Ramble walk

Boonoo Boonoo National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Rockpool Ramble walk is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park, near Tenterfield. It’s a great way to see Boonoo Boonoo River and its lovely rockpools.

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
0.6km return
Time suggested
6 - 15min
Grade
Grade 4
Entry fees

Park entry fees:

$8 per vehicle per day. The park uses a self-registration fee collection system. Please bring the correct change.

What to
bring
Clothes for all weather conditions, drinking water, hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen
Please note

Please note:

  • You’ll need to scramble over rocks to reach the pools, and these can be slippery. 
  • Water levels can change without warning, so look after the kids and take care. 
  • Check for underwater hazards before swimming. 
  • Don’t jump or dive into the water.

Rockpool Ramble walk is a short 600m return walk from Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area. The first part of it follows Rockpools View walk. You can see and smell some of the lovely wildflowers in this national park before going down to the rockpools for a paddle.

Once at the river, you can have a refreshing swim if it is safe to do so. The views of the water and bushland are lovely, so bring your camera if you want to take photos. There are waterbirds here too, and you may even spot the endangered brush-tailed rock-wallaby sheltering under a rock overhang.

Afterwards, follow the Falls Lookout walk for a terrific view of Boonoo Boonoo Falls. For a longer leg stretch, take the River walk for more wildlife viewing and swimming.

 

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Map


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/things-to-do/walking-tracks/rockpool-ramble-walk/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Rockpool Ramble walk.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

0.6km return

Time

6 - 15min

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Very steep

Steps

Many steps

Quality of path

Formed track, some obstacles

Getting there and parking

From Tenterfield:

  • Turn right onto Naas Street at the northern end of Rouse Street, then turn left onto Logan Street.
  • Drive for 21km down sealed Mount Lindesay Road, passing Basket Swamp National Park.
  • Turn rignt onto sealed Boonoo Boonoo Falls Road, and drive for 5 km to the park entrance.
  • Continue along unsealed Boonoo Boonoo Falls Road for 9 km to Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area where you can park.

From Stanthorpe:

  • From High Street, turn right on Amosfield Road, then take a slight right towards Tenterfield along sealed Mount Lindesay Road.
  • Crossing Mursons and Jenner Creeks, continue past Bald Rock National Park.
  • Turn left onto sealed Boonoo Boonoo Falls Road, and drive for 5 km to the park entrance.
  • Continue along unsealed Boonoo Boonoo Falls Road for 9 km to Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area where you can park. 
 

Road quality

Check the weather before you set out as Boonoo Boonoo Falls Road can be inaccessible during heavy rain.

  • Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

There is parking at Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area, including 1 accessible parking spot. There is bus parking south of the picnic area.

Best times to visit

Spring

This is the season for wildflowers. The mild weather at this time of year is also particularly good for camping.

Summer

The water in the large secluded rockpools along the river will give sweet relief from the summer heat.

Winter

Temperatures can plunge overnight and mornings are often frosty at this time of year, so be well-prepared if you're camping. However, winter days are often sunny, cloudless and warm enough to enjoy a picnic or a long hike.

Facilities

  • There is no drinking water so it's best to bring your own.
  • There are no rubbish bins so please take all rubbish away with you.
  • The nearest toilets (non-flush) are at Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area. One toilet is accessible by people with reduced mobility but not people in wheelchairs.
  • There are gas/electric barbecues (free) and wood barbecues (bring your own firewood) at Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area.

Picnic tables

There are picnic tables along Rockpools View walk which adjoins Rockpool Ramble walk.

There are also picnic tables at Boonoo Boonoo picnic area, including an accessible picnic table.

Seats and resting points

There are seats and resting points on Rockpools View walk which adjoins Rockpool Ramble walk.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach, the rocks or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing and rock fishing safety tips.

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).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

Permitted

Fishing

A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

Prohibited

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.

Learn more

Rockpool Ramble walk is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Fabulous falls

Boonoo Boonoo Falls are in Boonoo Boonoo National Park near Tenterfield. Photo: Joshua J Smith, © DCCEEW

The park's jewel is Boonoo Boonoo Falls. If you'd like to see what this feature is really made of, visit during the wetter months of summer. Even if the falls aren't pumping, though, they're still beautiful and there will always be rockpools along Boonoo Boonoo River to swim in, walking tracks to follow and riverside picnics to indulge in.

Gold fever

Morgans Gully, Boonoo Boonoo National Park. Photo: David Young

Morgans Gully and Ropers Gully are two sites in the park where alluvial gold was discovered in the late nineteenth century. As a result, there was a huge influx of European and Asian prospectors to the area. As well as giving the nearby town of Tenterfield a massive economic boost, the village of Boonoo Boonoo temporarily flourished, though it is now in ruins.

Though nature has reclaimed these gullies too, imagine what the areas might have looked, sounded and smelt like when they were teeming with men from here and all over the world, half-crazy with gold fever.

Have you seen the wildlife?

Endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies can be found in Boonoo Boonoo National Park near Tenterfield. Photo: Leah Pippos, © DCCEEW

Boonoo Boonoo takes its name from the Jukambal language and means ‘big rock’. Known for its stunning waterfalls, secluded waterholes and many walking trails, this national park is home to many plants and animals including kangaroos, endangered brush-tailed rock-wallabies and vulnerable spotted-tailed quolls which you may see throughout the park in the early morning and late afternoon. You may also be lucky enough to spot platypuses frolicking in Boonoo Boonoo River.

  • Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area is not only a great place to eat and rest, it teems with wildlife and wildflowers and is close to walking tracks, lookouts and Boonoo Boonoo Falls.
  • Falls Lookout walk For views of magnificent Boonoo Boonoo Falls, why not wander along Falls Lookout walk, only 35km from Tenterfield.
  • Morgans Gully picnic area Visit Morgans Gully for a relaxing picnic, and investigate gold mining historic heritage surrounded by wildflowers and embellished with a waterfall and geological formations.
  • River walk River walk offers excellent scenery, wildlife watching, swimming and picnicking. It connects Morgans Gully picnic area, Cypress Pine campground and Platypus Hole picnic area with Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area.
  • Rockpool Ramble walk Rockpool Ramble walk is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park, near Tenterfield. It’s a great way to see Boonoo Boonoo River and its lovely rockpools.
  • Rockpools View walk Rockpools View walk is in Boonoo Boonoo National Park, 27km from Tenterfield. Wander along this accessible 400m return walk that winds through bushland to a river and rockpool view.
Show more

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)