Bungonia National Park

National Park Limestone gorges and caves popular for bushwalking

East of Goulburn in New South Wales, Bungonia National Park is known for deep gorges, caves and sandstone cliffs; visitors come for caving, canyoning, hiking and climbing.

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Bungonia National Park is a New South Wales protected area notable for its limestone karst landscape, with deep gorges, caves and significant vertical relief compared with the surrounding tablelands.

The park’s signature features are the Bungonia Gorge and an extensive cave system that attract bushwalkers, cavers and vertical-rope enthusiasts; some lookouts provide panoramic views over the gorge and the Shoalhaven River. Marked walking tracks, picnic areas and a campground offer access for day visits and overnight stays, while guided cave trips or technical abseils are available through specialist operators for those with the right skills or equipment.

The area has long been recognized for its karst features and was protected as a national park to conserve its caves, gorges and native vegetation. Management focuses on balancing recreational use with protection of delicate cave ecosystems and scenic values.

Bungonia National Park lies in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, inland from the South Coast and within driving distance of regional centres such as Goulburn and Canberra.

  • Access and safety: Some areas are used for vertical rope activities and caving; these require appropriate experience or guided services and may be subject to seasonal closures for safety.
  • Practical tip: Lookouts are best visited in cooler months to avoid heat exposure, and weather can change quickly in the gorge so check local conditions before heading out.

What to See #

  • Bungonia Gorge: Bungonia Gorge is the park's most dramatic feature, a steep limestone-walled chasm offering lookouts and technical abseiling routes for experienced parties.
  • Cave system and showcaves: A network of caves and sinkholes, collectively referred to as the Bungonia Caves, includes well-known showcaves and passages used by cavers and guided tour operators.
  • Trails and campground: Designated walking tracks and a campground provide access for bushwalking and multi-day visits, with lookouts over the Shoalhaven River and surrounding tablelands.
Bungonia National Park
Bungonia National Park, New South Wales - near Bungonia and Goulburn, Australia
-34.7972, 150.0164
Park open daily; check NSW National Parks for alerts and track closures
Park entry fees may apply (NSW national park fees)

How to Get to Bungonia National Park #

About 35 minutes south-east of Goulburn by car. From Goulburn, follow signs toward Bungonia and the national park; parking and trailheads are signed near the visitor area.

Tips for Visiting Bungonia National Park #

  • The Bungonia Gorge walk is steep and can be slippery - wear sturdy footwear and allow time to scramble carefully.
  • Avoid the gorge in heavy rain or during storms; flash flooding is a risk.
  • Try a late-winter visit when the river and pools have good flow for photos.

Best Time to Visit Bungonia National Park #

Best in shoulder seasons (autumn, spring) to avoid summer heat and to enjoy stable trail conditions.

Autumn
Mar-May · 10-22°C (50-72°F)
Cooler, ideal for hiking and exploring the gorge without summer heat.
Spring
Sep-Nov · 12-24°C (54-75°F)
Wildflowers and pleasant walking conditions.

Weather & Climate near Bungonia National Park #

Climate

Bungonia National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (739 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 33 Good
Best Time to Visit
DecemberNovemberFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 27°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 26°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 76 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 24°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

67 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.7h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
21°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 23°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 26°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
14.3h daylight

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