Need a place to head out hiking or go mountain biking? Cawleys Road trail starts just off the old highway near Helensburgh and heads through low, open forest filled with scribbly gums, banksias and waratahs. It's a wide track, surfaced with bitumen and gravel, generally flat, and suitable for all walking, mountain biking, cycling or horse riding levels.
Stop for a breather and lunch at Kellys Falls picnic area. A beautiful series of waterfalls cascading into a rainforest gully are a great accompaniment to your break. Those who are mountain biking can also explore some of the other trails connecting to Cawleys Road trail.
Among the scribbly gums and waratahs, you're likely to see swamp wallabies or echidnas. Honeyeaters and wattlebirds are also attracted by many of the wildflowers, including Gymea lilies, grevilleas and banksias.
Mountain bikers and horse riders share this path with bushwalkers. Please be considerate to other trail users.
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching
Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.
The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.
Looks like I don’t have a GPX file for this trail yet. If you have one you’d be willing to share, please email it to me so we can help other hikers have a safer, easier time out there. I’ll double-check each file to make sure it aligns with official tracks and topo maps before adding it to this hike. Thanks so much for helping build an even better hiking resource.
To Wilsons Creek Road. Cawleys Road trail is in the western precinct of Garawarra State Conservation Area. To get there:From the F6, take the Helensburgh exit and continue along Parkes Street until you reach the roundabout in the middle of the shopping centre. Continue east along Parkes Street down to Helensburgh Station.Drive past the station and to the end of Wilson's Creek Road to a bridge over the railway linePark your car on the roadside, then walk over the bridge into the reserve and the trail on the western side of this bridge is Cawleys Road. Park entry points Wilsons Creek Road See on map Parking Parking is available on Wilsons Creek Road or along the Old Princes Highway between Waterfall and Garawarra Hospital.
If you’ve got some great shots from this hike, I’d love to see them! Please upload your .jpg files here to help inspire other hikers and show off the beauty of the trail.
A quick note: Uploading your photos doesn’t mean you lose ownership. You’ll be credited for any photos you share, and you can request to have them removed at any time.
Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the
AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.
Garawarra State Conservation Area in the Sydney and surrounds and South Coast regions
Garawarra is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
Looking for things to do in Garawarra State Conservation Area or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
Favourite
Favourite
Favourite
William Howe Regional Park
Favourite
Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans
Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
