Known for its springtime wildflower displays, the Muogamarra Nature Reserve in Cowan (a 45-minute drive from central Sydney) has announced it will open to the public again for just six weeks in 2024. This year, the reserve is celebrating 90 years as a protected park and—as always—pre-booked tour tickets are essential and expected to sell out.
Muogamarra Nature Reserve will open between Saturday 17 August and Sunday 22 September 2024, with such a short season and strict entry requirements important for protecting its significant Aboriginal cultural heritage (including rock engravings, grinding grooves and shell middens), 900 species of native plants and 14 species of native mammals.
Blooming wildflowers throughout the reserve include waratahs, angophoras, old-man banksias, pink boronias and delicate native orchids, while animal species include the swamp wallaby, brushtail possum and echidna and birds like wedge-tail eagles and lyrebirds—an incredible array so close to the heart of Sydney.
Muogamarra Nature Reserve was established as a national park in 1934 by John Duncan Tipper, a railway engineer and conservationist with a drive to protect the area’s native flora and fauna. He named it Muogamarra after what he believed was an Awabakal (the traditional owners of the Hunter Region and surrounds) word meaning ‘preserve for the future’.
Image credit: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service | Supplied
Getting There
Muogamarra Nature Reserve is under an hour from the centre of Sydney. Head towards Newcastle on the F3, take the Berowra exit, and continue on the Pacific Highway past Cowan. The park entrance is on your left. See NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's website for detailed directions and updates on road conditions.
Need To Know
You cannot access Muogamarra Nature Reserve unless you've pre-booked a tour in advance. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is offering five different tours of the reserve in 2024, with varying durations and difficulty levels—some have already sold out.
Muogamarra Self-Guided Tour
If you're keen to wander at will and take your time, a self-guided tour is the perfect option. Friendly volunteers will give you a map on arrival so you don't miss the best bits, and you can bring a picnic to enjoy surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the area—just leave the plastic at home. Learn more and book.
The details
Tour dates: Every Sunday 18 August–22 September 2024, plus Saturday 24 August and 7 September, 14 September and 21 September 2024
Cost: Adults (16+) $15pp, concession $10pp, child (12–16 years) $10pp, family (2 adults and 2 children) $40
Suitable for: Ages 12+, some mildly challenging elements
Good to know: Parking will set you back $5 per vehicle
Muogamarra Highlights Walk
Take in incredible views of Bar Island, Berowra Creek and the Hawkesbury River on this three-kilometre walk, on which you’ll see and learn about what inspired John Duncan Tipper to preserve this landscape 90 years ago. Expect to pass by a huge variety of wildflowers on the way to the natural rock lookout. Learn more and book.
The details
Tour dates: Fridays–Sundays between Saturday 17 and Saturday 31 August 2024, Saturdays and Sundays between Sunday 1 September and Sunday 22 September, and Monday 2, Monday 9 and Friday 20 September 2024
Tour times: 10.30am–12pm and 1.30pm–3.30pm
Cost: Adult (16+) $25pp, concession $20pp, child (12–16) $15pp, family (2 adults and 2 children) $65
Suitable for: Ages 12+, rough surfaces but mildly challenging
Muogamarra Peats Bight Walk
The most challenging walk of the Muogamarra season, the Peats Bight Walk is a ten-kilometre, full-day tour that will take in Peats Crater’s geological features including Hawkesbury sandstone, volcanic pipes and solidified magma. As you head along Berowra Creek and the Hawkesbury River, you’ll take in the lush rainforest landscape and its abundant native species. Learn more and book.
The details
Tour dates: Saturday 17, Friday 23, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August, and Monday 2, Monday 9 and Friday 20 September 2024
Tour time: 9.30am to 3.30pm
Cost: $55pp, concession $50pp
Suitable for: Ages 15+, moderately challenging elements and many steps
Image credit: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service | Supplied
[Sold Out] Muogamarra Lloyd Trig and Deerubbin Loop Walk
Ascend up to 180 metres above sea level on this 6.6-kilometre walk that includes the chance to see a large Aboriginal rock engraving of a whale and beautiful blooming flowers. You’ll score insane views across Milson Passage to Spectacle Island and Long Island, and see so much flora and fauna on your way along Lloyd Trig and Powerline track. Learn more and book.
the details
Tour dates: Saturday 17, Friday 23, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August, and Monday 2, Monday 9 and Friday 20 September 2024
Tour time: 10am to 2pm
Cost: Adult (16+) $35pp, concession $30pp, child (15–16 years) $20pp, damily (2 adults and 2 children)$90
Suitable for: Ages 15+, steep elements and many steps
[Sold Out] Muogamarra Bird Gully Walk
This 3.5-kilometre walk will follow a hanging swamp, immersing walkers in native plant ecology and hardiness in the face of bushfires. Walkers might spot black cockatoos or New Holland honeyeaters among the wildflowers, and will see Aboriginal grinding grooves above a waterfall. Learn more and book.
THE DETAILS
Tour dates: Saturday 17, Friday 23, Friday 30, Saturday 31 August and Monday 2, Monday 9 and Friday 20 September 2024
Tour time: 9.30am–2pm
Cost: Adult (16+) $35pp, concession $30pp, child (12–16) $20pp, family (2 adults and 2 children): $90
Suitable for: Ages 12+, rough surfaces and some high steps
Tickets are available online now to explore this gem of natural and cultural history on the outskirts of Sydney.
Check out the best coastal walks for breathtaking beach and harbour views closer to Sydney.
Image credit: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service | Supplied