Thirlmere Lakes National Park

Thirlmere Lakes National Park is a protected area featuring five freshwater lakes surrounded by eucalyptus forests and sandstone formations. These five lakes spread across about 629 hectares of preserved land and form a connected water system in this landscape.

The area became a national park in 1972 and later joined the Greater Blue Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. These two events marked growing recognition of this place as a natural area of international importance.

The Heritage Pump Station reflects the region's railway past and shows how the steam train heritage of nearby Picton shaped this area. Visitors can see how transportation history influenced the development of the landscape around these lakes.

The park is open daily, with longer hours during summer time and shorter hours in winter. Visitors should check the season when planning arrival times, especially if they want to do activities during daylight.

The lakes formed roughly 15 million years ago through geological processes and are home to rare species like the freshwater sponge Radiospongilla sceptroides. These ancient waters provide habitat for specialized organisms found nowhere else in the region.

Location: New South Wales

Location: Wollondilly Shire

Location: Couridjah

Inception: 1972

Elevation above the sea: 343 m

Operator: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

GPS coordinates: -34.21500,150.55111

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:02