Budderoo National Park

Park National park in NSW, features rainforest and waterfalls

Budderoo National Park offers rainforest gullies, plateau lookouts and Minnamurra Falls. Day visitors come for waterfall walks, picnics, short hikes and sweeping views across the Illawarra escarpment.

Main image
Wikivoyage banner

Budderoo National Park is a protected area on the Illawarra Escarpment in New South Wales, Australia, conserving rainforest gullies, waterfalls and sandstone escarpment country. The park is known for its waterfalls and highland forest.

Key attractions include waterfall lookouts and short rainforest walks, notably access to Carrington Falls on the Kangaroo River and the Minnamurra Rainforest precinct with established walking tracks. The escarpment provides viewpoints over coastal plains and valleys.

Walking tracks range from easy boardwalks in rainforest gullies to longer ridge walks on the escarpment, and the park is used for birdwatching, picnics and short nature excursions. Facilities and access points are concentrated near small towns such as Jamberoo and Robertson.

The area has long been valued for its forested gullies and watercourses and was progressively reserved for conservation through 20th-century moves to protect Illawarra escarpment landscapes. Management focuses on protecting rainforest remnants and creek systems.

Budderoo National Park lies on the Illawarra Escarpment in eastern New South Wales, inland from the coastal towns of the Illawarra and within driving distance of regional centres such as Wollongong and the Southern Highlands.

  • Visiting seasons: Best visited in late spring to autumn for drier walking conditions; some tracks and lookouts can be slippery after rain and may be closed temporarily.
  • Access note: The park is part of the Illawarra Escarpment and offers accessible waterfalls and rainforest walks within an hour or so's drive from coastal towns.

What to See #

  • Carrington Falls: Carrington Falls is a notable waterfall within the park, located on the Kangaroo River and accessible via short walking tracks and lookouts.
  • Minnamurra Rainforest: Minnamurra Rainforest is a tract of warm temperate rainforest within the park, with boardwalks and short walking trails that showcase large tree species and birds.

How to Get to Budderoo National Park #

Budderoo National Park is located southwest of Wollongong on the Illawarra escarpment. The nearest towns are Jamberoo and Robertson; driving from Wollongong or Nowra via the Princes Highway and then inland roads is the usual route. Local roads lead to several car parks and trailheads.

Tips for Visiting Budderoo National Park #

  • Visit the Jamberoo Valley lookout early morning for softer light and fewer people.
  • Combine a Budderoo visit with the Sea Cliff Bridge drive for dramatic coastal contrast.
  • Check local ranger updates for any track closures after heavy rains; escarpment paths can be slippery.

Best Time to Visit Budderoo National Park #

Best visited in the cooler months (autumn-spring) for comfortable walking and clearer views.

Autumn-spring
March-November · 10-22°C
Cooler, drier and ideal for walking across the escarpment and enjoying lookouts.
Summer
December-February · 20-30°C
Warm and humid with occasional storms; waterfalls are at their most dramatic after storms.

Weather & Climate near Budderoo National Park #

Climate

Budderoo National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1586 mm/year), wettest in March.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 23°

Weather

147 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (166 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 23°

Weather

166 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (196 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 22°

Weather

196 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°

Weather

140 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (141 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

141 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (162 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
13°

Weather

162 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm).

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 20°

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 22°

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

Nearby Attractions to Budderoo National Park