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Park geography

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

Australian national parksIndigenous heritage sitesBiodiversity hotspotsUpland swampsSandstone landscapes

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
Dharawal National Park protected landscape
Location overview

Administrative placement and regional territory inside Australia

Geographic Position of Dharawal National Park in New South Wales

Dharawal National Park is situated within the administrative region of New South Wales in Australia. Official registry records establish its status as an inland, non-transboundary terrestrial reserve.
Countries
Australia
Regions
New South Wales
Primary location
New South Wales
Geographic setting
Inland
Boundary and coordinates

Spatial footprint and geographic scale covering over 65 square kilometers

Dharawal National Park Boundary Mapping and Geographic Extent

The mapped boundary outline provides critical geographic context for Dharawal National Park. Key spatial metrics describe the total area of 65.08 square kilometers along with coordinate spans and center coordinates.
Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors
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
Dharawal National Park
Terrain and natural features

Mixed relief classifications and recorded landscape formations

Dharawal National Park Terrain and Named Natural Features

Stored terrain classifications detail the mixed relief profile across Dharawal National Park alongside multiple recorded natural features. Linked feature cards supply specific names, types, measurements, and spatial relationships where recorded.

Selected named natural features

Streams

Maddens Creek

Waterfalls

Maddens Falls

Streams

Iluka Creek

Streams

O'Hares Creek

Viewpoints

Minerva Pool Lookout

Wetlands

Dahlia Swamp

Environmental setting

Temperate climate zones, mixed relief, and major water presence profiles

Dharawal National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting

Recorded landscape features, habitat types, and partial forest cover combine to outline the physical setting of Dharawal National Park. Stored classifications link directly to relevant atlas destinations to connect regional environmental records.
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

Park atlas

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

Explore beyond Dharawal National Park by browsing other national parks and protected areas located across the surrounding Illawarra region and Woronora Plateau. Compare varied sandstone landscapes, globally significant upland swamps, and crucial koala habitats to understand the broader regional park geography and conservation network.
State or regional parkNew South Wales
Park boundaries overlap#1 closest

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
A watercolor painting showing a soft, pastoral landscape with green trees, grassy plains, and rolling hills in the background on a white background.
State or regional parkNew South Wales
5.7 km away#2 closest

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
National parkNew South Wales
6.1 km away#3 closest

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
National parkNew South Wales
6.5 km away#4 closest

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
National parkNew South Wales
About 9.8 km away#5 closest

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
A watercolor painting showing a panoramic view of soft green hills, sparse trees, and a flat foreground against a pale, warm sky.
Nature reserveNew South Wales
About 17 km away#6 closest

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
A soft, horizontal watercolor painting showing a coastal scene with grassy shores, calm water, and several small islands in the distance under a pale sky.
Nature reserveNew South Wales
About 21 km away#7 closest

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
National parkNew South Wales
22 km away#8 closest

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
MoriAtlas Explorer

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.