Wingecarribee River walking track
Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve
Overview
Wingecarribee River walking track is a short easy walk from Cecil Hoskins picnic area, near Moss Vale. Enjoy scenic river views and birdwatching opportunities in Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve.
- Where
- Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve in Country NSW
- Distance
- 0.5km loop
- Time suggested
- 15 - 30min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- The weather in the area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching.
To build up an appetite or to walk your food off afterwards, take a stroll along Wingecarribee River walking track, which begins and ends at Cecil Hoskins picnic area. The track is a short easy walk that’s flat with few obstacles and no stairs, so it’s ideal for all age groups.
The track takes you west along the river past Bong Bong weir, then loops back through regenerating forest on Wingecarribee floodplain. You’ll see various types of eucalypts as you follow this walking track, including the less well-known gums, like snow, swamp, black sallee and manna eucalypt trees.
Keep your binoculars in easy reach for birdwatching. Through the forest, you may see woodland birds such as white-throated needletails, welcome swallows and spotted pardalote. Eastern grey kangaroos also inhabit the forest. And did you know you can find platypus shyly hiding in the lagoon?
Map
Map legend
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/wingecarribee-river-walking-track/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve in the Country NSW region
Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Wingecarribee River walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.5km loop
Time
15 - 30min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Experience required
No experience required
Gradient
Flat
Steps
No steps
Quality of path
Formed track, some obstacles
Getting there and parking
On entering Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve:
- Take a short walk to the picnic area where the loop commences. The trail is signposted.
Parking
Parking is available a short walk from Wingecarribee River walking track.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
When the weather is milder, hike from the reserve to Bong Bong.
Spring
Bring your binoculars for a spot of birdwatching and look for migratory bird species that stop over to feed and rest in the reserve.
Summer
Enjoy a summer evening picnic and listen to birdcalls. By the time the sun goes down, they'll be in competition with the frogs.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
12°C and 25.3°C
Highest recorded
38.8°C
Winter temperature
Average
1.8°C and 12.5°C
Lowest recorded
-6.4°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
June
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
333mm
Facilities
Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
Maps and downloads
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
Wingecarribee River walking track is in Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal culture
The reserve lies within the traditional land of the Bong Bong people. Cultural, linguistic and spiritual knowledge associated with this area continues to be passed on today. NPWS works in collaboration with local Aboriginal communities to protect this rich heritage.
The weir and the wherefore
Bong Bong weir was built in the 1920s to create a water supply for Moss Vale. The lagoon and swamp areas, which developed as a result of this weir, were declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1932. During the 1965-8 drought, Wingecarribee Council considered destroying the weir to allow water to be released for Berrima Cement Works, situated downstream. This proposal was so strongly opposed by the local community, however, that the idea was abandoned. The reserve supports stands of Paddys River box, native to the Moss Vale district and south of Jenolan, as well as snow gum banksia and a range of other native species. The lagoon itself is deep enough for large aquatic plants to thrive, such as tall spikerush, ribbonweed, yellow bladderwort and water milfoil. Other aquatic species include water snowflake, starwort, water primrose, river buttercup and nardoo.
- Weir View walking track Weir view walking track at Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve is a short easy walk along the southern bank of the lagoon with scenic views and great birdwatching opportunities near Moss Vale.
- Wingecarribee River walking track Wingecarribee River walking track is a short easy walk from Cecil Hoskins picnic area, near Moss Vale. Enjoy scenic river views and birdwatching opportunities in Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve.
Wetland creatures
Over 90 bird species inhabit the reserve and around one third of these, including pacific black ducks, black swans, dusky moorhens and grey teals, are waterbirds that are dependent on the lagoon. So if you're keen on bird watching, be sure to bring your binoculars along. Platypus and kangaroos also make their homes in and around the lagoon. The reserve also supports stands of Paddys River box, native to the Moss Vale district and south of Jenolan, as well as snow gum banksia and a range of other native species. The lagoon itself is deep enough for large aquatic plants to thrive, such as tall spikerush, ribbonweed, yellow bladderwort and water milfoil. Other aquatic species include water snowflake, starwort, water primrose, river buttercup and nardoo.
- Weir View walking track Weir view walking track at Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve is a short easy walk along the southern bank of the lagoon with scenic views and great birdwatching opportunities near Moss Vale.
- Wingecarribee River walking track Wingecarribee River walking track is a short easy walk from Cecil Hoskins picnic area, near Moss Vale. Enjoy scenic river views and birdwatching opportunities in Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve.
Who was Cecil Hoskins?
When the reserve was gazetted in 1975, it was named after Sir Cecil Hoskins. This man was a local resident for 40 years who not only had a keen interest in creating parks and gardens, but also contributed to the purchase of the land for the reserve.