Bungonia National Park

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Overview

Bungonia National Park, in easy reach of Canberra, is an outdoor adventure playground offering caving, canyoning, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and impressive views.

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Whether you’re looking to do an easy walk through woodland or wanting to push your body to the limits scaling a wall of limestone, Bungonia National Park is the place to visit. Known as the adventure capital of the Southern Tablelands, what at first appears to be a dry plateau quickly opens itself up to reveal a diverse and dynamic landscape filled with natural surprises.

Drop into our park office when you arrive to decide where you’d like to start exploring. It’s only a short walk on Molly O’Neil track to The Lookdown lookout, and the scenic view of Bungonia Slot Canyon from Adams lookout is equally awe-inspiring. What about packing a picnic lunch and doing a day’s hiking through the breathtaking canyon you’ve just seen from above? Or come prepared to tackle something really challenging, like abseiling, rock climbing, canyoning, or caving one of the 200 or so ‘wild’ caves. You need to be experienced and have your own equipment.

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Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/visit-a-park/parks/bungonia-national-park/local-alerts

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Visitor info

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

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Nearby towns

Goulburn (35 km)

Named after Henry Goulburn - the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, Goulburn developed into a major centre for wool, and in 1863, it became Australia's first inland city. Today, the town is a rich hub of history, discovery and natural beauty.

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Bundanoon (62 km)

Bundanoon is the northern gateway to Morton National Park. Follow the well-marked bushwalking trails in one of NSW's largest national parks, admiring waterfalls that plunge into valleys below.

www.visitnsw.com

Bowral (77 km)

Spring is tulip time while summer has fragrant roses and autumn, flowering bulbs. Bowral Tulip Festival runs from the end of September until early October; the Autumn Garden Festival is held in May.

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Learn more

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

    Winged and furry

    Lace Monitor, Bungonia National Park. Photo: Mark Selmes

    The vulnerable large bent-wing bat calls Bungonia home, and certain caves are closed during the year to help provide a safe environment for breeding and hibernation. When open, look out for a colony, cloud or cauldron of bats as you explore the limestone labyrinths of their natural habitat. A small population of koalas, classified as threatened, also inhabit the park.

    • Adams lookout - test Adams lookout, great for birdwatching and picnicking, is the only platform in Bungonia that offers a view of the magnificent limestone feature of Bungonia Slot Canyon.
    • Green track Enjoy Green track’s fairly easy hike, a walking track loop through woodlands, gullies, gorges and rainforest, taking in all the park’s major scenic lookouts and wildlife.

    One of our oldest parks

    Adams lookout, Bungonia National Park. Photo: Ford Kristo

    This park is one of the oldest in New South Wales. It was first protected as a water reserve in 1872, which was also the same year the world's first national park - Yellowstone, in USA - was established. Just as Yellowstone's geothermal features pull the crowds, Bungonia's geomorphology, both above and belowground, are its main draw. Louis Guymer was the park's first caretaker (1889-1909), who discovered caves and erected gates and ladders, some of which you may use during your visit.

    • Bungonia Gorge guided adventure treks Go on a day hike or weekend trek to Bungonia Gorge with 100% Adventure. It’s a great way to experience Bungonia National Park, the adventure capital of the Southern Tablelands.

    Once upon a time

    Shoalhaven Gorge, Bungonia National Park. Photo: OEH

    The park lies across the traditional lands of the Njunawal tribal group, the northwest corner of the Wandandian tribal territory and the southern boundary of the Gandangara tribal group. The ridge tops were almost certainly travel routes as people shifted in accordance with the seasonal availability of food. Evidence of campsites exists on the main plateau and limestone dolines contain edible plants consumed or used by Aboriginal people.

    Endless caving opportunities

    Bungonia lookout, Bungonia National Park. Photo: OEH

    Known as the adventure capital of the Southern Tablelands, Bungonia is a place to really test your limits. There are around 200 wild caves in the park, many of which are open for experienced cavers to explore. For an exciting journey of waterfalls and plunge pools, Bungonia Creek and Jerrara Creek are the most popular canyoning spots. Bungonia Slot Canyon provides one of the few opportunities in Australia for climbing limestone and is as dramatic a place to scale a rock wall as its name suggests.

    • De Kerrilleau picnic area Bungonia National Park, in easy reach of Canberra, is an outdoor adventure playground offering caving, canyoning, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and impressive views.
    • The Lookdown lookout It’s an easy walk from the carpark at the end of Lookdown Road to Bungonia lookdown, which offers superb scenic views into Bungonia Creek Gorge and beyond.

    Education resources (1)

    What we're doing

    Bungonia National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. View the detailed park and fire management documents.

      General enquiries

      Contact

      • in the Country NSW region

      • Bungonia National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to high fire danger, or park operations. It's a good idea to ring the office for current information.

      • Park entry fees:

        $8 per vehicle per day. Daily fees can be paid at the ticket machines at the park office.

        Buy annual pass
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      Things to do (7)

      Tours (2)

      Camping and accommodation (1)