Budderoo National Park

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Overview

Budderoo National Park, on the south coast of NSW, is known for its gorgeous waterfalls and lookouts. Enjoy rainforest walks and birdwatching opportunities on a school excursion or day trip.

Read more about Budderoo National Park

Nature-lovers will be in their element at beautiful Budderoo National Park. From pristine rainforest walks to gorgeous waterfalls and stunning lookouts, it’s easy to create a memorable itinerary through this enchanting haven.

Stop by the multi award-winning Minnamurra Visitor Centre, then take to its elevated walkways and paved tracks and lose yourself in the lush beauty of the rainforest. See if you can spot a shy lyrebird in the undergrowth while you’re there. Afterwards, relax over lunch at the picnic area.

Drive up to the plateau above Minnamurra Rainforest and discover jaw-dropping views from Jamberoo lookout or bring your mountain bike and ride the 24km Budderoo Track – you’ll see wildflowers blooming in late winter and spring.

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/visit-a-park/parks/budderoo-national-park/local-alerts

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Contact

  • in the South Coast and Country NSW regions
  • Budderoo National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger. The park gates at Minnamurra Rainforest Centre open at 9am and close at 5pm every day.

  • Park entry fees:

    $12 per vehicle per day only in the Minnamurra Rainforest area. Bus or taxi: $4.40 per adult and $2.20 per child.

    Buy annual pass (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).
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See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Budderoo National Park.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    The main visitor areas of Budderoo National Park are Minnamurra Rainforest Centre near Jamberoo and Carrington Falls near Robertson. Both are accessed via Jamberoo Mountain Road.

    Parking

    By bike

    Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.

    By public transport

    To visit Minnamurra Rainforest from Kiama, there's a daily bus service (Kiama Coaches - 02 4232 1531) or taxi service (Kiama Cabs - 02 4237 7507) For information about public transport options, visit the NSW country transport info website.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Budderoo National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    Visit between April and August and you may be treated to the spectacular sight of a male lyrebird displaying for a female during the breeding season The park's waterfalls are at their best during the higher rainfall months of late summer and early autumn Don't be deterred by a bit of wet weather either – the rainforest comes alive in the rain, with the earthy smell of the leaf litter, the calls of the lyrebirds, the rain dripping off leaves and the sound of the river all making for a truly magical environment .

    Spring

    Enjoy a walk or cycle through the open forest, woodland and heath along the Budderoo track for a good chance to see wildflowers in late winter and spring.

    Summer

    During the summer months, the canopy of the rainforest acts as a natural sunscreen, filtering out approximately 75 per cent of direct sunlight. The cooler yet humid air makes it an ideal environment to escape the harsh summer sun.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    17°C and 26°C

    Highest recorded

    42.4°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    8°C and 17°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

    Maps and downloads

    Fees and passes

    Park entry fees:

    $12 per vehicle per day only in the Minnamurra Rainforest area. Bus or taxi: $4.40 per adult and $2.20 per child.

    • All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
    • Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
    • Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)
    • Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)

    Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)

    Safety messages

    However you discover NSW national parks and reserves, we want you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Our park and reserve systems contrast greatly so you need to be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

    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).

    Prohibited

    All access to the base of Gerringong Falls is permanently closed.

    Camp fires and solid fuel burners

    Wood fires, campfires and heat bead cookers are prohibited in this 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.

    Visitor centre

    Nearby towns

    Jamberoo (6 km)

    If the kids are on board, take them to Jamberoo Action Park, where Billabong Beach, Rapid River and Outback Bay will keep them entertained for a whole day. Minnamurra Rainforest is also close by, with easy walks through the rainforest for the whole family to enjoy.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Robertson (8 km)

    Robertson is known as the 'green heart of the Highlands' for a good reason - it's always green. Rich, fertile soil and abundant rural farmland make up Robertson's scenic landscape. It serves as a gateway to some of the State's best waterfalls.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Nowra (56 km)

    Nowra is a historic city and the commercial heart of the Shoalhaven. It's on the Shoalhaven River close to beaches and national parks.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Learn more

    Budderoo National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

    A splash of relaxation

    Rainforest loop walk, Budderoo National Park. Photo: Andrew Richards

    Nurtured and conserved for over a century, the Minnamurra Rainforest is exceptionally precious. At this much-loved tourism destination, you can wander raised boardwalks and explore the rainforest that once blanketed much of the region. For the ultimate experience, combine the Lyrebird loop walk and Minnamurra Falls walk and discover exquisite plants and animals in breathtaking surroundings. If you’ve ever fallen asleep to the sounds of a relaxation CD, you’ll know the peaceful power of waterfalls. And with its own wonderful falls, Budderoo might just be one of the most relaxing places around. Walk to Minnamurra Falls, an amazing double-tiered waterfall, or Carrington Falls, with its fabulous 50m drop. Sit back, listen to the hypnotic sound of flowing water and let your cares drift away.

    • Carrington Falls picnic area Be wowed by Carrington Falls from one of three lookouts with great views. You’ll find picnic and barbecue facilities close by along with some short walking tracks.
    • Carrington Falls walking track Discover fantastic waterfall views on the short Carrington Falls walking track, in Budderoo National Park, near Robertson. It’s a great day trip for families and nature lovers in the Southern Highlands.
    • Friends of Minnamurra Rainforest You don’t have to be a weeding specialist to get involved in volunteer work at Minnamurra Rainforest. Join local experts and like-minded volunteers for bush regeneration in Budderoo National Park.
    • Jamberoo lookout Enjoy spectacular scenic views of Kiama and Lake Illawarra from Budderoo National Park’s Jamberoo lookout. On clear days, this lookout is fantastic for photography.
    • Minnamurra Rainforest Centre Visit Minnamurra Rainforest Centre in Budderoo National Park and chat to the friendly staff before exploring the rainforest along raised boardwalks.
    • Minnamurra Rainforest self-guided audio tours Immerse yourself in the sounds, plants, birdlife and history of Minnamurra Rainforest with this series of self-guided audio tours. Download and enjoy as you stroll along Lyrebird loop walk.
    • Protecting a rainforest environment: Minnamurra Join us as we explore the earth’s environment on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) geography excursion at Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park. Students will investigate the rainforest's climate, natural vegetation and native animals.
    Show more

    Walk through history

    Illawarra Tourist Drive, Budderoo National Park. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    A walk around the park reveals its many uses over the years. Spot remaining cedar trees, so prized by foresters in the 1800s. Head downstream from the Minnamurra Rainforest to see the 1853 Kelly's Cottage and its camellia tree, believed to be one of the southern hemisphere's oldest. The land's rich soil and water supply make it ideal for dairy farming, and you can still see the monument to Australia's first butter factory in nearby Jamberoo Valley.

    Park life

    Eastern water dragon (Physignathus lesueurii), Budderoo National Park. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

    You're almost guaranteed to see wildlife in the park, particularly if you visit Minnamurra Rainforest Centre. Look for bowerbirds and king parrots, and visit between June and August for the spectacular image of a male lyrebird displaying his tail. You've a good chance of spotting a swamp wallaby at dawn or dusk, and keep an eye out for an eastern water dragon or perhaps even a diamond python soaking up the sunshine.

    • Birds of Minnamurra self-guided audio tour Take a self-guided audio tour along Lyrebird loop walk with fauna ecologist David Bain and discover some of the fascinating birds that live in Minnamurra Rainforest. See if you can spot the ones that David points out as you explore the incredible subtropical rainforest of Budderoo National Park.
    • Investigating the living world: Minnamurra Join us as we explore living things on this Stage 3 (Years 5 to 6) Science and technology excursion. Students will investigate and analyse the natural environment of Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park.
    • Junior ranger: Minnamurra Rainforest Become a ‘junior ranger’ these school holidays at Minnamurra Rainforest. You’ll learn hands-on bush survival and safety skills on this fun tour at Budderoo National Park.
    • Life in the rainforest: Minnamurra Rainforest Join us as we explore life in the rainforest on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Science and Technology excursion at Minnamurra Rainforest. Students will carry out investigations to explore the living world in this beautiful part of Budderoo National Park.
    • Living world: Minnamurra Rainforest Explore the Living World with us on this Stage 1 (Years 1-2) Science and Technology at Minnamurra Rainforest in the Budderoo National Park. Students will explore the rainforest environments and learn the importance of plant and animal habitat.
    • Lyrebird loop walk Ideal for walking with children, the beautiful Lyrebird loop walk takes an hour to complete. It’s located within Minnamurra Rainforest Centre in Budderoo National Park.
    • Minnamurra Falls walk Starting at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, enjoy spectacular rainforest, waterfall and canyon views from several viewing platforms along Minnamurra Falls walk.
    • Minnamurra Rainforest by torchlight Go on a family-friendly after-hours guided tour in Budderoo National Park these school holidays. See Minnamurra Rainforest by night on this unforgettable adventure, inland from Kiama on the South Coast.
    • Minnamurra Rainforest ranger-guided tour These school holidays, experience the rainforest like never before. Join this ranger-guided walk through Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park, west of Kiama on the NSW South Coast.
    • Plants of Minnamurra self-guided audio tour Take a self-guided audio tour along Lyrebird loop walk with botanist Jedda Lemmon and discover some of the plants that thrive in Minnamurra Rainforest. See if you can spot the ones that Jedda points out as you explore the incredible subtropical rainforest of Budderoo National Park.
    • Protecting a rainforest environment: Minnamurra Join us as we explore the earth’s environment on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) geography excursion at Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park. Students will investigate the rainforest's climate, natural vegetation and native animals.
    • Survival in the rainforest: Minnamurra Join us at beautiful Minnamurra Rainforest for this Stage 4 (Year 7-8) Science excursion. Students will conduct a variety of hands-on investigations using equipment to measure and record the abiotic and biotic factors of the rainforest ecosystem.
    • Sustainable biomes at Minnamurra Rainforest Students will experience the rainforest's beauty in this Stage 5 (Years 9 to 10) geography excursion at Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. They’ll examine the physical characteristics and distribution of rainforest biomes.
    Show more

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • A spotted-tailed quoll walks across a moss-covered forest floor at night. Photo: Lachlan Hall © Lachlan Hall

      Spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

      The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.

    • An eastern ground parrot bird's green and yellow colouring camouflages it amongst grassland. Photo: Lachlan Hall © Lachlan Hall

      Eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus)

      The eastern ground parrot is a beautiful, ground-dwelling native bird that lives in low heathland habitat along the NSW North and South coasts and escarpments. It’s listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.

    • A juvenile platypus saved by National Parks and Wildlife staff. Photo: M Bannerman/OEH

      Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

      One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.

    • Superb fairy wren. Photo: Rosie Nicolai

      Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)

      The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.

    Plants

    • Cabbage tree palm in Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

      Cabbage palm (Livistona australis)

      With glossy green leaves spanning 3-4m in length and a trunk reaching a height of up to 30m, the cabbage tree palm, or fan palm, is one of the tallest Australian native plants. Thriving in rainforest margins along the east coast of NSW, in summer this giant palm produces striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages.

    • Old man banksia, Moreton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

      Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

      Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

    • Coachwood flower. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

      Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum)

      Coachwood trees are Australian native plants that grow in warm temperate rainforests along coastal NSW. Also known as scented satinwood, the mottled grey bark of the coachwood has horizontal markings and a delicate fragrance.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)

    School excursions (14)

    What we're doing

    Budderoo National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents. Here is just some of the work we’re doing to conserve these values:

    Preserving biodiversity

    Budderoo National Park is resolute in its commitment to conserving land, minimising weeds and protecting native vegetation. The park supports ongoing NPWS and volunteer efforts to maintain biodiversity.

    Managing weeds, pest animals and other threats

    Pests and weeds have a significant impact to the ecosystems within Budderoo National Park. Risk assessments for new and emerging weeds are carried out as an ongoing initiative within the park. Pest management is an important part of the work NPWS does to protect the integrity of biodiversity which exists within Budderoo.

    Developing visitor facilities and experiences

    Budderoo National Park undertakes regular maintenance of its facilities to ensure they are up to date and safe for visitors to use. Hazard assessments and facilities upgrades are regularly carried out in this park, and priority actions are implemented both in the park itself and in Minnamurra Rainforest Centre.

    Managing fire

    NSW is one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world as a result of our climate, weather systems, vegetation and the rugged terrain. NPWS is committed to maintaining natural and cultural heritage values and minimising the likelihood and impact of bushfires via a strategic program of fire research, fire planning, hazard reduction, highly trained rapid response firefighting crews and community alerts.