Intro
I’m so excited to write this! Because the one I’m going to let you know is my favorite place! I’ve been there twice but it feels like I want to go back over and over again. Well, technically I’ve gone there three times. But the second visit was failed. I had already passed the sign board and walked into the woods. But after 500 meters, my heart told me it wasn’t right. I felt like it was so quiet. Unlike my first visit.
It was past midday. The weather was cloudy and windy and there was no one going there. I asked Aldi – my husband, “Are you sure to go there?”
Aldi was like, “It’s up to you.” – he always says ‘up to you’. Why do men always lay the responsibility to choose on women? Anyway, we then walked back to the front of the sign board. We decided to wait for half an hour hoping someone or some people would go to the same direction.
After 30 minutes, there was no one. There were people cycling, running, walking, but they didn’t go to the destination I and Aldi want to go. In the end, we went back to the station. We didn’t want to risk going there if there was no one. I was sure there would be some people who had already arrived at the pool, but I was scared of the quiet track. It’s Australia, mate. A lot of animals that I don’t know. And I was afraid of snakes. If I or Aldi was bitten, we wouldn’t know how to handle it.
How To Get To Karloo Pool
Alright. Enough for the brief chit-chat. So, I’m talking about Karloo Pool. For you who like nature, this place is a must! Especially if you are currently staying around Sydney. I found this place unexpectedly. I was looking for a hiking track and happened to find this place on Google. But don’t follow the guide on Google Maps. I got strayed the first time I went there because I followed it. Trust my direction and you’ll be there for sure!
What to prepare? Fit physique is a must, comfortable shoes, food or some snacks, a bottle of water/person, swimming suit, towel, and sunsreen. I don’t know if you want to add some more stuff. But I suggest don’t bring too much because it’ll be a burden.
Where to start? Wherever your houses are, I suggest you focus on going to Heathcote Station. You can bring your own car, but what I’m telling you here is if you go there by train (just like I did).
How far? Depends on where you start. Let’s say you start from Central Station. It takes less than an hour to get to Heathcote. No need to transit because it’s in one line. It’s pretty near, isn’t it?
When you arrive at Heathcote, all you have to do is just walk towards… well, it’s a little bit hard to explain this. Because the ‘front gate’ is hidden. It’ll be quite confusing for first timer. From here you can try using Google Maps. But don’t type Karloo Pool because Google Maps will show you a far direction.
Try finding NSW Rural Fire Service. It’s right in front of the station. If you get off at platform 2, you can just walk out and you’ll find the NSW Rural Fire Service right in front of you. Go the the front of the building and straight to the small path beside it.
Go following the path to the back of Fire Service building. Keep walking. You’ll find a row of houses on your left. About 300 meters, you’ll see the sign board of Karloo Track on your right.
If you find the board like this, congrats! You’re already on the right track. I don’t know if there is another entrance. But I always go through this one and I think it’s pretty easy to be found.
Now, prepare for the hike! It’s not that hard for people who are used to hiking. But if you never hiked before, or simply, if you don’t like walking, it’ll be a bit tough. But, just enter the woods and I bet you’ll enjoy the vibes! It’s so peaceful.
Don’t be afraid of getting lost because the track is not hard to follow. I didn’t take many pictures when I was there for I was too focused on vlogging. You can watch my video, though. Just click the link below. It’s in Indonesian but I guess it’ll be easy for you to understand. Especially if you just want to see the track.
Done watching? Or you want to read to the end first? Feel free to do anything.
So after walking for about an hour, you’ll arrive at your destination. Prepare to gasp because it’s like you’re finding a piece of gem.
When I went there, there weren’t many people I found on the track. But at the Pool, it’s like I found the whole class skipping school. They did come and go, though. And sometimes I found the pool so quiet with just 4 – 6 people at some spots.
What You Should Do at Karloo Pool
Now let’s talk about you! You’ve packed your swimming suit, right? It’s time to swim then! Get change and get into that pool! Oops, don’t get in immediately. You’ll be freezing! Yes, the water is cold. You have to do some warm-ups. If your body is warm enough, then you can get into the water. Do it slowly. If you’re used to the temperature, you won’t even get out for sure!
I didn’t swim long that time. Aldi is not a very good swimmer, so he wasn’t brave enough to swim in Karloo Pool. There’s actually the shallow part but since the water was cold, he couldn’t stay any longer than 10 minutes.
Me? I love swimming. I can swim all day! But honestly, I have thalassophobia – phobia or fear of large bodies of water. I get anxious when swimming in the sea or lake. Even in the swimming pool! That feel will hit me if I swim alone. If there is someone who swims with me, I’ll be alright.
That’s why, I insisted Aldi to swim in Karloo Pool with me. He didn’t want to do it at first. He felt shy for his inability to swim well. Especially when all of the people there seemed to be the master of swimming.
But no matter how hard I tried to convince him, his guts didn’t last long. And there wasn’t anyone else swimming. The other people just sunbathed on the rocks around the pool. So I had to end the swimming too. Too bad!
If you don’t have thalassophobia, please, swim as long as you want. Because you need effort to be there, don’t you? After a long hike, reward yourself with a nice swim.
After swimming, you can change and eat the food you’ve prepared. Play some of your favorite music too! You’ll enjoy sitting there for hours!
I have one more vlog of my second visit. If you want to know how good it is to swim in Karloo Pool, you can take a glimpse.
If you still have time, you can continue walking to Uloola Falls. There, you can even camp if you register to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. I haven’t been there, so I can’t tell you more. Probably next time. But the sign board says it’s one hour to be there. I guess the track will be harder yet challenging. So, do you think you want to try walking to Uloola Falls or just stay at the Karloo Pool? Let me know!
And what do you think of the pool? Are we on the same page? I give this place 9 out of 10. Yes, I do really like Karloo Pool and the track. Your rate can be different but it’s alright as long as I’ve done my job to let you know.
Wait. One more thing. I haven’t tell you yet the best time to go there. Firstly, you have to check the weather forecast. If it’s sunny, then it’ll be the best. Other than that, just wait for another day.
What time should you go there? I think you can start at around 10 am to 11 am. If you want to start earlier, that’s also fine. But the latest for you to get out is at 4 pm. Because you’ll need an hour to walk from Karloo Pool to the station or car parking (if you park in front of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service). Let the sun guide you.
It’s my suggestion. Who knows you have a better idea. I just hope you enjoy every step!
