Dharawal National Park, Nature reserve in Wollongong, Australia
Dharawal National Park is a large protected area south of Wollongong featuring gorges, waterfalls, upland swamps, and diverse woodland types across its terrain. The landscape combines open sandstone valleys with dense forest sections, creating varied habitats throughout the park.
The area first received protection status in 1927 and became a nature reserve in 1996 before achieving national park status in 2012. These transitions reflect growing recognition of the region's ecological importance.
The park contains over 200 archaeological sites with rock art showing the cultural presence of the Dharawal people. Visitors can see these artworks created with charcoal and ochre still visible on the rock surfaces today.
The park offers walking trails of varying difficulty, some with swimming spots and others suitable for mountain biking. Conditions vary by season and weather, so checking current access information before visiting is advisable.
A network of streams and creeks runs through the park carrying significant water volumes to surrounding waterways each year. This water system is a defining feature that shapes the park's ecology and character.
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