Burralow Creek campground and picnic area

Burralow Creek campground and picnic area is an open grass camp in the Lower Grose Valley of Blue Mountains National Park, roughly two hours from Sydney. It offers unmarked space beneath scribbly gums, a short walk to Bulcamatta Falls and a surprisingly remote night. The trade-off is serious: both approaches are fire trails recommended for 4WD vehicles only.

Sites and facilities#

NSW National Parks lists tents, camper trailers and camping beside your vehicle. Caravans are not included in the current official camping types. Sites are unmarked and unpowered, so there is flexibility within the open area but no numbered pad or guaranteed separation.

Facilities are non-flush toilets, wood barbecues and fire rings. There is no drinking water and no rubbish collection. Bring all cooking and drinking water, pack out every item of waste and carry a fuel stove. Firewood must be brought in; collecting wood in the park is prohibited. Light fires only in provided rings and never during a total fire ban.

Online bookings cover up to 12 people or two sites. The official page currently lists no camping charge but a booking fee applies and can change. Booking does not make an unsuitable vehicle safe for the approach.

4WD access and weather#

From the Sydney side, NPWS directs drivers from Warks Hill Road onto Burralow Road and then Tabaraga Ridge fire trail for about 8km. The Lithgow-side option uses roughly 10km of Paterson Range fire trail. Both are 4WD-only recommendations.

The tracks are narrow and can be steep, rough or slippery near the valley floor. Heavy rain and extreme fire danger can close access. Ignore old comments claiming a gate or approach is open: check the live campground alerts shortly before departure. Travel in daylight, carry offline directions and allow enough time to retreat safely.

Mobile reception is limited. Pick up supplies before entering the valley and tell someone your route and return time.

Bulcamatta Falls and the valley#

An easy track follows the creek through a small rainforest gully to Bulcamatta Falls, passing a convict-dug pit. The destination is a small cascade rather than a swimming waterfall. In summer, the Burralow peat swamps support the endangered giant dragonfly; glossy black-cockatoos, wallabies, gliders, possums and owls also occur in the valley.

The flat open campground gives children space to move, but vehicles, fires, creek edges and wildlife still require close supervision. After dark, use low lighting and protect nocturnal animals. Some visitors seek glow-worm sightings near the gully; if present, never touch them, shine torches directly on them or disrupt the damp habitat.

What campers say#

Recent public comments broadly agree on the campsite but disagree about whether an ordinary vehicle can manage the road. Anycamp reviews, a Google-review aggregation and a detailed family trip report suggest:

• Campers value the large, generally flat grass area and easy family walk.
• Weekends can feel busy even though the unmarked field looks spacious; a booking remains essential.
• Toilets are basic, with cleanliness reports varying by visit.
• Fire rings are useful in permitted conditions, but there may not be one beside every preferred setup area.
• Road experience varies with weather and vehicle; repeated 2WD anecdotes should not override the official 4WD recommendation.

These are traveller observations only. NPWS determines access, fire rules, facilities and closures.

Booking Burralow Creek campground#

Reserve through the official Burralow Creek page. Recheck both road and fire status on the day, arrive before dark and bring everything needed for a self-contained stay. When dates are unavailable, a CampWatch availability alert can monitor for a cancellation, but only choose one if your vehicle and conditions suit the fire-trail approach.