Burralow Swamp, is technically not a swamp but is actually a large open area in a quiet valley, though if you walked far enough up the valley, you may encounter what is left of the "Swamp". The valley is surrounded on all sides by tall cliffs  and hills making it look really remote. It is a short distance on the outskirts of Sydney and is accessed via two ways, both off the Bells Line of Road. It takes only 20-25 minutes at the most to get there from Kurrajong Heights and is part of the Blue Mountains National Park, so it is subject to park closures.

The road in is usually quite good, can sometimes be done in a 2WD but a 4WD is preferred, especially if towing a camper trailer in. One of the great things about this location, is how little light polution you get in the night sky allowing you to believe you a long ways from anywhere.

How To get There

As I previously mentioned, you can access Burralow Swamp via two ways, from Kurrajong Heights, or from the Bells Line of Road just before Bilpin if you are heading west, though, this can be the rougher of access routes, particularly the last couple of km's as you descend into the valley. This alternate route is also subject to closure if it is deemed to be in bad condition. See the map at the bottom of the page for more detail.

Main Route - Kurrajong (Green) 8.3km's approx (4WD recommened)

Head out of Sydney via Windsor and Richmond, make the climb up to the mountains to Kurrajong Heights, watch out for the speed camera up there. Not far after the speed camera you make a left turn into Warks Hill Road, follow this for a short distance and then make another left onto Burralow Road, now continue to follow this, it does turn to dirt quite quickly. You follow Burralow Road for quite a few KM's and make the sometimes rough descent down into the valley that Burralow Creek flows through. When you get to the T intersection, turn right and follow this to the end. You have arrived.

Alternate Route - Bells Line Of Road (Red) 10.5km's approx (4WD required usually)

If heading east toward Sydney, after passing through Bilpin, you will be looking for a National Parks sign on the right, this is Pattersons Range Fire trail, if coming from Sydney, after passing Pittmans Road on your left, start to look for the National Parks sign on your left which is Pattersons Range Fire Trail.

Assuming this route is open, just follow it for a number of KM's, eventually you will do a zig-zagging descent down into the valley and will cross a small metal bridge, not far past the bridge, you will come to the T intersection with Burralow Road coming in on your right. Continue straight ahead to the end. You have arrived.

Camping Facilities

Burralow is very sparse on any sort of facilities but it is free to camp there, there are now two long drop toilets (As with any long drop, get ready for the smell), some fire rings and plates spread around, some sitting benches come tables whatever and that is about it. It is always a good idea to take your own toilet paper as there never seems to be any. There is plenty of room to spread out, some camping spots are under trees giving shade, most are out in the open. just pick a spot that suits you and pitch your tent and relax. REMEMBER: DO NOT COLLECT FIREWOOD! Bring your own and only have fires in the fire rings. If the rangers catch you collecting wood, be prepared for an on-the-spot-fine.

What is there to do?

At Burralow Swamp, there are a number of things you can do if you like to walk and explore, there is of course Burralow Creek that winds it's way through the valley, good to cool off in, but tends to get a thick coating of a rusty looking sediment over everything, kids don't seem to care. There are a few deeper pools upstream, but swim at your own risk, I am sure the leeches would love to meet you.

There are a number of walks you could take, if you pass through the pole gate in the wire rope fence near one of the loos, you can follow this old fire trail for some distance right up into the old "Swamp", a nice walk first thing in the early morning. Another you can walk right to the top of the surrounding hills via the old access road, it is badly cutup and quite slippery and then descend back via Burralow Road.

If you follow the walking track at the defined creek crossing, you will eventually enter a steep-sided gully and another 5 minutes later, will reach Bulcamatta Falls, great place to cool off under in summer.

If you do this walk during the day, as you are heading towards your destination, the track will eventually leave the creek turning left and you will pass through a section of ferns and after this, you will enter the gully and be under trees.

Remember this point, if you came back at night time, after you pass through the ferns and reach the tree cover, instead of following the track, head to the right down into the creek bed, turn your torches off and wait, if you are in luck, and quiet, the rock wall in front of you will light up with thousands of glow worms. PLEASE, do not shine your torch on them or disturb them, they are one of the best natural reasons to come out here.

If the kids bring bikes, it is pretty safe to ride around and they will have a ball, but just remember to respect other campers and their sites.

Trivia

Burralow Swamp was actually the first place in the colonies that commercial quantities of rice was grown by George Bowen and if you keep your eyes peeled, as you do the walk to the waterfall, you will notice a convict-built sandstone structure sunk into the ground that was built in the 1800's.

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