Garawarra State Conservation Area is a protected natural region situated between Sydney and Wollongong, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. The area encompasses coastal heath, various forest types including wet and dry sclerophyll, and patches of subtropical rainforest, all traversed by sandstone plateaus, gorges, and creek systems. This varied terrain provides a suitable environment for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and more.
Garawarra State Conservation Area provides…
63
Routes
4.5
(92)
Average rating
1924
People visited

4.7
(24)
321
hikers
6.31km
02:07
240m
240m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(8)
98
hikers
10.4km
03:25
310m
310m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(4)
30
hikers
21.8km
06:45
420m
420m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
12
hikers
5.21km
01:28
110m
110m
Hard hike. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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117
riders
66.6km
03:47
1,040m
1,040m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

59
riders
84.1km
04:38
1,090m
1,090m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

42
riders
28.2km
01:33
440m
440m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

34
riders
49.4km
02:32
580m
580m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
119
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
45
riders
18.6km
01:47
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
33
riders
70.1km
04:15
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

24
riders
66.0km
04:31
1,030m
1,030m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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76
riders
22.0km
01:52
200m
200m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

35
riders
20.6km
01:44
140m
140m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
32.5km
02:47
550m
550m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5
riders
16.9km
01:30
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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52
runners
20.2km
02:06
140m
140m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

39
runners
55.3km
07:30
1,220m
1,220m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

17
runners
19.1km
02:01
250m
250m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
26.8km
03:12
380m
380m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Garawarra State Conservation Area offers opportunities for hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The area features diverse landscapes including coastal heath, various forest types, and rainforest patches. Visitors can explore numerous trails and scenic lookouts.
Garawarra State Conservation Area provides a variety of hiking trails that wind through diverse bushland, including wet and dry sclerophyll forests and rainforest patches. Trails lead to scenic lookouts and into river gullies. A general guide for hiking in Garawarra State Conservation Area is available.
Yes, Garawarra State Conservation Area includes trails suitable for families and beginners. These routes often feature well-formed paths through natural surroundings. Komoot offers specific guides for easy hikes and family-friendly hikes in the area.
Garawarra State Conservation Area is popular for cycling, including mountain biking on wider tracks like Cawleys Road. Routes for touring and road cycling are also available. Komoot provides guides for cycling, MTB trails, and road cycling routes.
Yes, the area features natural attractions such as Kellys Falls, which offers cascading waterfalls and a picnic area. Visitors can also find scenic lookouts providing expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and the Illawarra coastline. A guide for waterfall hikes is available.
Garawarra State Conservation Area is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 12,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the area have an average rating of 4.58 out of 5 stars. There are 3 routes currently listed.
Garawarra State Conservation Area is part of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service system. Generally, domestic animals, including dogs, are not permitted in state conservation areas to protect native wildlife and habitats. Visitors should check official park regulations for specific details.
Garawarra State Conservation Area does not typically have direct entry fees for visitors. However, parking fees may apply at certain access points or nearby national parks. It is advisable to check the official park website for the most current information on fees and permits.
Komoot offers a range of guides for Garawarra State Conservation Area, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for hiking, family-friendly hikes, cycling, MTB trails, and running trails.
The official website for Garawarra State Conservation Area is nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/garawarra-state-conservation-area. For inquiries, the general phone number is 1300 072 757. This number can also be used for bookings during contact hours.
Garawarra State Conservation Area is a biodiversity hotspot, supporting a variety of native plants and animals. Common wildlife includes the Lyrebird and Echidna. The area is also known for birdwatching, with potential sightings of satin bowerbirds, honeyeaters, and lyrebirds.
The area is particularly vibrant in late winter and early spring when wildflowers like Banksias, Christmas Bells, and wattles bloom. This period offers an opportunity to observe the diverse flora of the conservation area.

