Streams
A mapped overview of terrain, regional geography, and key natural feature locations.
Dharawal National Park in New South Wales: Detailed Geographic Profile and Land Boundaries
Dharawal National Park represents a protected landscape within New South Wales, encompassing 65.08 square kilometers of varied terrain. This profile details the park's physical boundaries and administrative geography, providing an atlas of internal features such as the Illawarra Escarpment, Dahlia Swamp, and extensive water systems including O'Hares Creek and Maddens Falls.
Related tags
Ancient Dharawal lands protecting Sydney's southern watershed
Dharawal National Park
Dharawal National Park is a protected area in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia, situated approximately 45 kilometres southwest of Sydney between the Illawarra Range and the Georges River. Established in March 2012, the 6,508-hectare park occupies the catchments of O'Hares and Stokes Creeks, which form the headwaters of the Georges River on the Woronora Plateau. The park is named after the Dharawal people, an Aboriginal community that has inhabited the area for more than 15,000 years, with over 230 archaeological sites recorded within the park boundaries. The landscape encompasses a remarkable diversity of environments including gorges, waterfalls, sandstone woodland, rainforests, eastern gully forests, and the ecologically significant upland swamps that are considered the most species-rich shrub and sedge communities in the world.
- Location
- Australia
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 2012
- Area
- 65.1 km²
Administrative placement and regional territory inside Australia
Geographic Position of Dharawal National Park in New South Wales
- Countries
- Australia
- Regions
- New South Wales
- Primary location
- New South Wales
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Spatial footprint and geographic scale covering over 65 square kilometers
Dharawal National Park Boundary Mapping and Geographic Extent
- Boundary area
- 69.3 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 84 km
- Northernmost point
- 34.1362° S
- Southernmost point
- 34.292° S
- Easternmost point
- 150.9476° E
- Westernmost point
- 150.8092° E
- Geographic centre
- 34.2092° S, 150.8614° E
- North–south span
- 17.3 km
- East–west span
- 12.8 km
Mixed relief classifications and recorded landscape formations
Dharawal National Park Terrain and Named Natural Features
Selected named natural features
Waterfalls
Maddens Falls
Streams
Iluka Creek
Streams
O'Hares Creek
Viewpoints
Minerva Pool Lookout
Wetlands
Dahlia Swamp
Temperate climate zones, mixed relief, and major water presence profiles
Dharawal National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
- Relief
- Mixed relief
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Major water bodies
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
Landscape features
Valleys · Forest · Woodland · Wetland · Rivers · Waterfalls
Habitat types
Temperate broadleaf forest · Heath · Wetland · Riverine habitat · Karst habitat
Compare park geography and protected landscapes across the Illawarra region and wider New South Wales.
Discover Nearby National Parks and Protected Areas Surrounding Dharawal National Park
Southeast
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area: Mapped Geography and Protected Area Context
Regional protected landscape and sandstone escarpment in New South Wales
Examine the geographic structure and landscape composition of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. This resource maps the 40-kilometre stretch of sandstone cliffs and forested foothills that rise above the Illawarra coastal plain, providing a detailed look at the six sections that constitute this unique state conservation land.
- Area
- 27.72 km²
- Established
- 1980
- Relief
- Mountain
- Climate
- Temperate

East
Garawarra State Conservation Area: Protected Geography and Natural Landscapes in New South Wales
Ecological reserve features, mapped sandstone terrain, and temperate rainforest mosaics.
Garawarra State Conservation Area occupies a strategic position on the southern edge of the Sydney Basin, functioning as an important ecological buffer within a highly urbanised region. The park landscape is defined by its dramatic transition from dry sandstone heath and tall wet sclerophyll forests to humid, sheltered creek lines dominated by diverse rainforest flora. This protected area stands as a testament to the resilience of Sydney Sandstone ecosystems, offering a rich study in biodiversity within reach of the metropolitan sprawl.
- Area
- 9.49 km²
- Established
- 1987
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
Northeast
Royal National Park National Park: Geographic Atlas and Protected Landscape Context
Explore mapped park boundaries and regional terrain.
Royal National Park is a designated national park in New South Wales, Australia, offering rich opportunities for geographic discovery and landscape context analysis. This page serves as a foundational entry for understanding the park's protected status, its distinct natural terrain, and its mapped presence within the regional geography. Explore how this protected landscape contributes to Australia's broader atlas of natural areas.
- Area
- 150.91 km²
- Established
- 1879
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mixed relief
Northeast
Heathcote National Park: Discover the Hawkesbury Sandstone Terrain and Mapped Protected Boundaries
Explore the rugged gorges and regional geography of this New South Wales national park.
Heathcote National Park preserves a significant example of the Sydney region's characteristic Hawkesbury sandstone landscape, presenting a terrain of deeply incised creek gorges and rocky valleys. Located in New South Wales, this protected national park offers valuable insights into regional geography and the mapped distribution of natural landscapes. Its rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems make it a key destination for understanding the protected area context of Australia's eastern seaboard.
- Area
- 26.79 km²
- Established
- 1943
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Mixed relief
North
Georges River Koala National Park: A Protected Landscape for Critical Koala Habitat in New South Wales
Mapped geography and unique wildlife sanctuary.
Georges River Koala National Park represents a key protected area within New South Wales, specifically designated for safeguarding critical koala populations. This national park offers an invaluable insight into the region's undulating woodland terrain and the Georges River corridor's role in providing essential habitat. Understand the park's landscape character, its mapped boundaries, and its importance as a sanctuary for chlamydia-free koala colonies.
- Area
- 18.3 km²
- Established
- 2023
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Lowland

Northeast
Lucas Heights Conservation Area: Protected Bushland Geography and Regional Atlas Context
Nature reserve located in the Sutherland Shire, New South Wales
Spanning over 111 hectares, Lucas Heights Conservation Area functions as a crucial nature reserve near the Georges River catchment. The site documents the convergence of distinct geological substrates, resulting in a rich mosaic of woodland, heath, and sedgeland. Beyond its role as a botanical refuge, the area encompasses significant Aboriginal heritage sites, including grinding grooves and rock art, reflecting the deep cultural history of Gandangara country.
- Area
- 1.117 km²
- Established
- 2002
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate

South
Five Islands Nature Reserve; Protected Island Geography and Coastal Terrain Analysis
Mapping island remnants off the New South Wales coastline
This protected area consists of five distinct continental islands shaped by volcanic activity and ancient sea level changes. Today, the reserve acts as a critical refuge for seabirds and reptiles, maintaining a unique ecological footprint against the backdrop of the Illawarra coast. The site provides a rich case study in how small island geography functions as a remnant of a broader mainland landscape now separated by the Tasman Sea.
- Area
- 0.26 km²
- Established
- 1960
- IUCN
- IV
- Relief
- Lowland
Northeast
Georges River National Park: Protected Landscape and Geographic Context in New South Wales
Mapped terrain, sandstone woodlands, and key wetland habitats.
Georges River National Park, located within New South Wales, Australia, serves as a crucial protected natural area. Its 514 hectares encompass diverse terrain shaped by the Georges River, featuring significant mangrove swamps, salt marshes, and exposed sandstone woodlands characteristic of the Sydney region. This park's atlas value lies in its role preserving vital ecosystems, supporting a notable array of vertebrate and bird species, and showcasing unique natural landscapes easily explored through mapped terrain and geographic context.
- Area
- 5.14 km²
- Established
- 1992
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Lowland
Continue Exploring Dharawal National Park's Geography and Protected Landscape
Delve deeper into the geographic specifics and protected landscape character of Dharawal National Park. Understanding its place within New South Wales, its unique geological terrain, and the distribution of its vital ecological communities provides essential context for any map-based exploration. Continue discovering the mapped boundaries and natural significance of this remarkable Australian national park, offering a rich foundation for understanding regional conservation areas.
