10 Best hikes and trails in Nattai National Park

Best trails in Nattai National Park

4.1(1,080 reviews)

Australia
:
#145 of 638 national parks

Nattai National Park is located in the Macarthur and Southern Highlands regions of New South Wales. As the name suggests, it was established around the Nattai River valley, which is surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs and bush forests. It is part of both the Great Dividing Range and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains Area.

Top trails

#1 - Dobsons Cave via The Hermits Track

An awesome trail through the Nattai National Park in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, located not too far from the town of Buxton. This out and back route begins and ends from near the end of Buxton Avenue. Enjoy following the Hermits Track out to Dobson's Cave and back again. The trail itself is clearly marked with yellow paint markings and there's a beautiful clear water swimming hole near the caves if you feel like a swim.

#2 - Ahearn's Lookout Trail

This is a nice mid-distance and relatively level walk to Ahearn's Lookout in Nattai National Park. There are beautiful views north and south along the Nattai River. In Spring, you will be delighted by blooming wildflowers and dense eucalypt forest. The trail starts adjacent to private property, so please stick to the track here. Soon after starting, you leave the fenceline behind and enter more scenic bushland.

#3 - Starlights Trail

The walk runs from the parking on Nattai Road to the campground at Emmett's Flat, starting on Nattai Road and then the rest of the way via Starlights Trail. The area is known for its tall sandstone cliffs and thick bush. There are a few side trails to explore along the way. Emmett's Flat campground can get pretty overgrown and is known for leaches, so be prepared.

#4 - Mount Jellore Summit

This is a lovely hike taking you through Jellore State Forest, which is conveniently located near Mittagong and on the route from Canberra to Sydney. The trail starts on Soaps Flat Road and leads to the summit of Mount Jellore before returning. On top of Mount Jellore, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Southern Highlands, the Blue Mountains, and even the Sydney CBD on a clear day. The majority of the trail follows a fire trail, with the last 150 metres being steep...

#5 - Starlights Trail, Slott Way Track, and Ahearn's Lookout

This is a challenging route with parts being overgrown and rough on your feet but is manageable with the help of a pro account and offline maps downloaded prior to visiting the site. You can approach this route in two ways, leaving early and with a bit of experience you can finish it in a day or you can take a more leisurely approach and camp along the way but do remember you will be loaded down with kit so leaving early is still advised. Make sure you to bring plenty of water and snacks...

This lengthy return trail ventures far out into Nattai National Park to the exposed and rocky ridgeline of Bonnum Pic. There is a fair bit of new growth since the 2019/2020 bushfires that has resulted in the trail becoming overgrown and difficult to identify. There are pink ribbons to help guide you, but they can still be hard to find. You should be prepared to navigate the area without clear signs of trail. The further you travel the more difficult the terrain becomes. You can still be...

This is a demanding overnight bushwalk in Nattai National Park, the target of this walk is the narrow summit of Russells Needle, a spectacular sandstone ridge that juts out into the Nattai Valley. This is a tough hike but offers a real wilderness experience not far from Sydney, with secluded camping spots by the Nattai River and great views. Highlights of the walk: - Point Hill - Nattai River - Russells Needle - Emmetts Flat and McArthurs Flat Campgrounds

#8 - Couridjah Corridor Track

This is an enjoyable trail through the Nattai National Park in the Southern Highlands Region of New South Wales, located not too far from the rural locality of Buxton. This out and back route begins and ends from the W41 Trail dirt road. From here it's a walk through a blue gum forest down to the river along a decent fire management trail the whole way.

#9 - Rocky Waterhole Creek Lookout

A super cool lookout within Nattai National Park, located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. This out and back route begins from the parking area on Natta Road W11E - not too far north out of the small town of Hill Top. The trail itself is a fire management road the whole way out to the lookout, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views out over the interesting rock formations in the area.

#10 - Buxton Plateau Trail and Ladie's Waist Lookout

A peaceful trail through the Nattai National Park in eastern New South Wales, located near the town of Buxton. This out and back route begins and ends near the northern end of Buxton Avenue. The trail itself follows a fire trail, which you'll follow to the very end where you'll be rewarded with some stunning views!

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Trail reviews for Nattai National Park

1,341 trailgoers Busiest in July

john dinan

May 23, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

This is a great walk that leads to spectacular views over the Nattai River

Difficulty: Moderate

Ahearn's Lookout Trail

Lachlan Cummings

Dec 12, 2024•Hiking

Good viewsEasy to parkNot crowded

Awesome trail with stunning views. Slightly overgrown down Slott’s Way with shrubs at shoulder to head height, and the same with Starlight’s Trail. Completed the loop clockwise. Tough slog down the river with no shade; there is no trail and it needs to be crossed a few times. Don’t bother cutting inland to McArthurs Flat as it is overgrown, unless you want to see some wombats! There are plenty of holes around the campsites so don’t blow out an ankle falling into them. Apparently a sewage treatment plant runs off into the Nattai so make sure to boil water as well as filter and don’t make the same mistake as me. Or fill up from the gully on Starlight’s trail.

Difficulty: Moderate

Starlights Trail, Slott Way Track, and Ahearn's Lookout

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Nattai National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Nattai National Park is Dobsons Cave via The Hermits Track, which has a 4.6 star rating from 176 reviews. This trail is 2.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 341 ft.

What is the longest trail in Nattai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Nattai National Park is Mittagong to Katoomba Multiday Hike. This trail is estimated to be 71.6 mi long.

How many trails are in Nattai National Park?

There are 21 trails in Nattai National Park. These trails have an average 4.1-star rating from 1,080 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Nattai National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Nattai National Park has you covered. Mittagong to Katoomba Multiday Hike boasts the most elevation gain with 13,257 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Beloon Pass from Starlight Trail, which will get you 5,508 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Nattai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 camping trails in Nattai National Park and the most popular is Starlights Trail with an average 3.8 star rating from 140 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Nattai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 6 running trails in Nattai National Park and the most popular is Dobsons Cave via The Hermits Track with an average 4.6 star rating from 176 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Nattai National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 biking trails in Nattai National Park and the most popular is Ahearn's Lookout via Long Nose Ridge Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 8 community reviews.