Best hikes and trails in Macquarie Pass National Park

Best trails in Macquarie Pass National Park

4.4(1,093 reviews)

Australia
:
#115 of 637 national parks

Macquarie Pass National Park is located southwest of Sydney, New South Wales on Tharawal Land. Its landscape encompasses subtropical eucalypt forests and rainforests filled with fig-trees, cabbage tree palms turpentine, brown barrel and gully gum that are crossed by beautiful rivers and waterfalls and are home to a wide array of wildlife including wallabies, koalas wombats and a huge variety of birds including sacred kingfisher, golden whistler, Lewin's honeyeater, crimson rosella, white-throated treecreeper, crested shrike-tit and golden bronze-cuckoo.

There are several picnic areas with two that have barbecue facilities.

Top trails

This is a walk along the river and through beautiful rainforest ending with the waterfall in Macquarie Pass on the Illawarra Escarpment. The path is lovely and cool with the tree coverage and the river flowing next to the track. The area beyond the first falls are culturally significant to local indigenous group. The area has suffered from extensive overuse and abuse by visitors. Rangers are common in the area, monitoring for those who do not abide by the trail closures. Trail cameras are...

#2 - Clover Hill to Macquarie Rivulet

4.3(24)

•Moderate

•1.1 mi

Head out for a beaut bushwalk that takes you from shady rainforest to sunny, open fields. This old logging route in Macquarie Pass National Park leads to Macquarie Rivulet. You'll wander through a forest of towering eucalypts and cabbage tree palms before the track opens up to the paddocks of Clover Hill, which farmers cleared over a century ago. Keep an eye out for lyrebirds and goannas in the forest and kangaroos in the open country.

#3 - Calderwood Fire Trail

Calderwood Fire Trail is a good way to explore the area. The route follows an unsealed track that is perfect for a stroll through the bush. You can expect to wander through a mix of eucalyptus and critically endangered subtropical rainforest. Keep an eye out for a variety of birds and animals, like goannas, wallabies, and the beautiful lyrebird. The trail offers a peaceful spot to get away and immerse yourself in nature.

#4 - Clover Hill Trail [CLOSED]

4.5(678)

•Moderate

•4.4 mi

This old logging route leads to Rainbow Falls – a spectacular waterfall on the Macquarie Rivulet. The first section of the track has you walking in a dense and lush rainforest filled with eucalypt trees and ferns before it opens up at Clover Hill. The falls become more spectacular after rains, but beware that the terrain becomes slick and more difficult in wet conditions, so proper footwear is necessary. The track is rocky, and there are a few scrambles as you get close to the waterfalls. ...

#5 - Jump Rock Falls Walk [CLOSED]

This trail is no longer accessible. The track is steep and eroded and contains unstable surfaces, cliffs and drop-offs. The area is very dangerous and injury from falls is very likely. Do not enter the park's off-limits zones. Visitors who ignore the warnings may be fine. For more information, please visit https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/macquarie-pass-national-park/local-alerts If you are looking for a waterfall and a nice spot to swim should check out nearby...

#6 - Macquarie Pass Canyon via Clover Hill [CLOSED]

Trail reviews for Macquarie Pass National Park

1,535 trailgoers Busiest in January

David Kennett

Sep 2, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Nice short out and back walk on well Maintained defined track to Cascade Falls in Macquarie Pass NP. Lovely temperate rainforest along the Cascades Stream with beautiful waterfall at turn around point. Note Jumping Rock track which is on opposite side of Illawarra Hwy from Cascades Rainforest walk is currently closed.

Cascades Walk

Bella Scott

Mar 13, 2025•Hiking

Not crowded

Only made it to rainbow falls as the walk was too difficult beyond there. The falls were beautiful and the fire trail is lovely. No assigned parking or bathrooms available. Great hike Macquarie Pass!

Conditions: Bugs, Obstructions

Clover Hill Trail [CLOSED]

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Macquarie Pass National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Macquarie Pass National Park is Cascades Walk, which has a 4.6 star rating from 256 reviews. This trail is 1.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 187 ft.

What is the longest trail in Macquarie Pass National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Macquarie Pass National Park is Clover Hill Trail [CLOSED]. This trail is estimated to be 4.4 mi long.

How many trails are in Macquarie Pass National Park?

There are 6 trails in Macquarie Pass National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 1,093 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Macquarie Pass National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Macquarie Pass National Park has you covered. Clover Hill Trail [CLOSED] boasts the most elevation gain with 734 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Macquarie Pass Canyon via Clover Hill [CLOSED], which will get you 682 ft of elevation gain.