No car? No problem. Good old fashioned public transport has you covered! Take the train from Sydney’s CBD to Wondabyne Station and you will be within hiking distance of wildlife and waterfall heaven; Kariong Brook Falls.
Highlights
- Check out what’s believe to be the only train station in the whole of Australia with no road access!
- LOTS of local wildlife (including leeches!)
- Wild swimming in a plunge pool
- Waterfall (extra beautiful after lots of rain)
Meet Wondabyne Station
If you don’t have your own transport and are exploring your way around NSW by train, this hike is a great one to add to the list. For more adventures near Sydney that you can get to by train, check these out!
Wondabyne Station is situated just North of the Hawkesbury River, in the very southern end of the Brisbane Waters National Park. It’s quite a remote station. So remote in fact it’s believed to be the only station in the whole of Australia with no road access.
In fact, so few people want to get off here that you have to inform the driver when you get on, and flag the train down when you want to come back! Forget and you could be spending a lonely night with the local wildlife (and there’s plenty of it!)
Wondabyne to Kariong Brook Falls
The route from Wondabyne to Kariong Brook Falls isn’t overly long, but it starts with a steep climb out of the station straight into the surrounding forest and ends at the falls with a steep descent over boulders, across a creek and under fallen trees. The walk across the plateau in between is easy going and has several lookouts back across the river, sandwiched between green quilted hills.
If you tackle this one after some heavy rain you’ve got a good chance of catching the waterfall at its best. But also be prepared for the odd leech in the long grass hitching a ride on bare legs. Certainly an annoyance but along with the other wildlife, it adds to the atmosphere of remoteness that follows you the moment you step off the train.
A quick dip in the plunge pool, lunch on the boulders alongside and then it’s a simple case of retracing your steps back to Wondabyne.
But don’t forget to flag down the train!
Essential Gear
- Hiking boots due to steep climbs/descents
- Swimmers and towel
- Bug spray
How To Get There
Trains regularly depart Sydney CBD to Wondabyne Station. You will need to find the driver/guard when you get on and inform them you want to get off at Wondabyne. Similarly you need to wave the train down when you want to come back.
Activities
- Hiking
- Wildlife watching
- Waterfall-chasing
- Wild swimming
Skill Level
Intermediate (some steep climbs and descents over some potentially challenging slopes).
Distance covered / Elevation Gain
Around 8km return. Total elevation is around 160 metres.
Looking to chase down some more waterfalls near Sydney? Check these out:
Sydney’s Best Waterfalls // To The North, South & West
Waterfalls of Leura // Blue Mountains (NSW)
Chasing Waterfalls at The Karloo track
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