Where

Wadbilliga National Park in South Coast, Snowy Mountains

Distance

0.8km return

Time suggested

30min - 1hr

Grade

Grade 3

What to
bring

Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, suitable clothing

Please note

• Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
• A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters
• There is no mobile reception at the Cascades precinct and very limited mobile reception in this park.
• If you are bushwalking in this park it is a good idea to bring a topographic map, compass and a GPS.
• Check the weather before you set out as the road to Cascades can become boggy when it rains.
• For more information, please contact the Bombala office on (02) 6458 4080 between 9am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday.

A short easy walk takes you to a viewing platform where you can watch the spectacular Tuross River tumble over boulders into a beautiful pool that makes for a gorgeous spot where you can swim, splash and cool down on a hot summer’s day.

The pool is surrounded by a diverse range of plant life, from dwarf she-oaks and stunted mallee formed eucalypts on the dry ridge tops, to majestic white trunked ribbon gums on the river banks. Greater gliders can be spotlighted at night. You may also be lucky enough to see some of the larger owls such as the powerful owl and sooty owl, which depend on gliders for prey. There is also an abundance of other birds in the area.

This tranquil swimming hole has good gravel road access, as well as picnic facilities, making it a perfect spot for a day trip getaway.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Maps and downloads

Learn more

A botanist's wonderland

Wadbilliga has many impressive examples of open forest, woodland, heath, swamp, bogs and numerous pockets of rainforest. There are some rare species of eucalypt and acacia that do not occur anywhere else. In the Wadbilliga Valley, yellow box and forest red gum can be seen, while on the ridge tops tower large stands of silvertop ash with snow gums at high altitudes. The Wadbilliga Plateau also has dwarf she-oaks and rare stunted mallee eucalypts.

A glimpse of gold mining history

The surrounding area has a variety of artefacts, structures and features that hark back to gold and silver mining eras, as well as the early forestry history of the local area. Today, visitors can still view various mining remains that are evidence of once arduous searches for gold and other precious materials.

A natural animal sanctuary

Due to the rugged and isolated nature of the park, animal populations here have remained relatively undisturbed. Many of the park's animals are large marsupials such as swamp wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos and wombats. There are also possums, platypuses and echidnas and one of the biggest greater glider populations in all of Australia. The birdlife is varied too, with over 120 native species. Lyrebirds are common as are many colourful and tuneful bush birds.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

The Yuin people consider Wadbilliga National Park a sacred place and many sites in the park are strongly associated with Dreamtime stories. The dissected, rugged escarpment contains a network of bridle tracks that follow both high country and river courses, which Aboriginal people originally used. The bridle tracks are also the most tangible historical link with the first Europeans in the area and were used for transporting produce and moving stock from one location to another. The park is abundant in traditional foods and medicines.