Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

(Flower is fuschia heath) A “BEAUTIFUL” DAY In typical Ian fashion, I had ideas where I might go but left it till the morning before I was convinced it would be Barren Ground. Despite its unattractive name there was a promise of wildflowers. I’d bypassed it on a previous trip but its curious name lured me in. I’d zig-zagged up the Jamberoo Mountain Road the day before but I still managed to marginally overshoot the turn off. Alighting at the carpark I could see I wouldn’t be alone, but you certainly wouldn’t call it crowded. I chose the Griffith Trail, apparently it’s rated number #30 on N.S.W. top 60 day walks. Tasmania really started something all those years ago when they came out with their top 60 brochure, stealing a march on other states. I was so pleased when I cracked 40 of them but N.S.W.’s had escaped me then and continues to do so. I have no idea where the rating on the sign came from. The trail has a feature, a natural stone bridge. That conjured up all sorts of images in my brain but I wondered if the 8kms would push my dodgy knees to the limit. Nothing ventured……. There was an expectation of wildflowers. It had said on sites that I’d checked that now was a prime time. They weren’t immediately apparent but when I came across the first batch it was merely a prelude. Soon they were in abundance, at times the best displays I’d ever seen. Violet, yellow and white were in profusion, scattered all along the edge of the track.
(Flower is fuschia heath) A “BEAUTIFUL” DAY In typical Ian fashion, I had ideas where I might go but left it till the morning before I was convinced it would be Barren Ground. Despite its unattractive name there was a promise of wildflowers. I’d bypassed it on a previous trip but its curious name lured me in. I’d zig-zagged up the Jamberoo Mountain Road the day before but I still managed to marginally overshoot the turn off. Alighting at the carpark I could see I wouldn’t be alone, but you certainly wouldn’t call it crowded. I chose the Griffith Trail, apparently it’s rated number #30 on N.S.W. top 60 day walks. Tasmania really started something all those years ago when they came out with their top 60 brochure, stealing a march on other states. I was so pleased when I cracked 40 of them but N.S.W.’s had escaped me then and continues to do so. I have no idea where the rating on the sign came from. The trail has a feature, a natural stone bridge. That conjured up all sorts of images in my brain but I wondered if the 8kms would push my dodgy knees to the limit. Nothing ventured……. There was an expectation of wildflowers. It had said on sites that I’d checked that now was a prime time. They weren’t immediately apparent but when I came across the first batch it was merely a prelude. Soon they were in abundance, at times the best displays I’d ever seen. Violet, yellow and white were in profusion, scattered all along the edge of the track.
(continued) At two points there were lookouts, one, Illawarra, with expansive views to the coast and beyond while the other, around halfway, was a raised platform with genuine 360 degree panoramas. The track itself was a 4WD road and quite rocky in places but I trudged on, surprised at how well my dodgy legs were going. The weather was also being kind for the first time, sunshine bathed the area most of the while and I dwelt on the word “barren”. I’d been in Ireland and visited the Burren, an amazing area of seemingly bare rock that, in the little cracks that have formed, harbours over 1,100 plant species, hardly any rising more than a couple of centimetres above the rock. Here, at Barren Ground, the vegetation was prolific. Though a lot of the growth you can see over, it’s so dense as to be impenetrable. From time to time I came upon other walkers but I was getting excited in anticipation of the Stone Bridge that featured on so many signs, writ large on the boards. The reality was virtually a non-event. Though a pleasant spot to stop around the 6km mark if you walk the trail clockwise, it’s just a small hole in the sandstone that the creek has found its way through. Not soon after, walking about 500 metres of slight uphill, I started to hear some birds. Having lost count of the amount of times I’ve gone for walks and lugged my cumbersome and heavy telephoto gear to no avail, always on the premise that, when you need it you haven’t got it, I was overcome when I actually raised it and a bird didn’t fly away. In fact, as I zoomed in, I realised it was a species I’d never seen before. That it was a finch was immediately apparent by its beak, but the other markings were a mystery to me. There was a spring in my step after that. Further on there were a few others but nothing I wasn’t familiar with, though I would have loved a better crack at the golden whistler along the last kilometre of the plateau section. Then the walk was over. I packed up and stole away, eager to ascertain what I’d shot. However, it wasn’t an easy search, and I spent 10-15 minutes trolling through sites before finally coming up with a result. It was, indeed, a Beautiful Finch. Finally, just once, I’d gotten lucky.
Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD

YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD

3.5 out of 5
Sydney Central Business District
Save 100% on your flight
Price was RM4,647, price is now RM2,814 per person
RM2,814
per person
20 May - 24 May
found 1 day ago
Return direct flight included
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Sydney (SYD)
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Centrally located. Very nice and responsive hotel staff. But the room is really small. Make sure you request for an updated, clean room if you decide to book in this hotel.

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

YEHS Hotel Sydney QVB

YEHS Hotel Sydney QVB

3.5 out of 5
Sydney Central Business District
Price was RM4,311, price is now RM2,904 per person
RM2,904
per person
20 May - 24 May
found 1 day ago
Return direct flight included
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Sydney (SYD)
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Very clean, helpful staff, great location - great value for money for an overnight stay.

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2026

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites

4 out of 5
Sydney Central Business District
Price was RM3,992, price is now RM2,838 per person
RM2,838
per person
20 May - 24 May
found 1 day ago
Return direct flight included
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Sydney (SYD)
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,580 reviews)
Enjoyed my stay whilst there

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

Popular places to visit

Water just keep flowing and flowing!

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Minnamurra Rainforest Centre during your travels in Jamberoo. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
We were lucky to visit when there was some good recent rain.

Carrington Falls

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Carrington Falls during your travels in Carrington Falls. Stroll along this relaxing area's waterfront or simply enjoy its cafes.

Carrington Falls
cool old Fig Tree #bvsspring

Saddleback Mountain

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Saddleback Mountain during your travels in Saddleback Mountain. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Saddleback Mountain

Minnamurra Rainforest Entrance

Explore the great outdoors at Minnamurra Rainforest Entrance, a lovely green space in Jamberoo. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Minnamurra Rainforest Entrance

Minnamurra Falls

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Minnamurra Falls during your travels in Jamberoo. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Minnamurra Falls

Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk

Enjoy an outing to Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk during your stay in Knights Hill. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk

Top Barren Grounds Nature Reserve Hotel Deals

The Lodge Jamberoo

The Lodge Jamberoo

2.5 out of 5
406 Jamberoo Mountain Rd Jamberoo NSW
The Lodge Jamberoo
Jamberoo Pub & Saleyard Motel

Jamberoo Pub & Saleyard Motel

2.5 out of 5
12 Allowrie Street Jamberoo NSW
Jamberoo Pub & Saleyard Motel
The Drawing Rooms of Berry

The Drawing Rooms of Berry

4 out of 5
21 Wattamolla Rd Woodhill NSW
The Drawing Rooms of Berry
Nova Kiama

Nova Kiama

3.5 out of 5
31 Bong Bong St Kiama NSW
Nova Kiama
Mt Hay Retreat, Berry

Mt Hay Retreat, Berry

3.5 out of 5
260 Mount Hay Road Broughton Vale NSW
Mt Hay Retreat, Berry
The Robertson Hotel

The Robertson Hotel

3.5 out of 5
1 Fountaindale Rd Robertson NSW
The Robertson Hotel
Cicada Luxury Camping

Cicada Luxury Camping

3 out of 5
127 Jerrara Rd Jerrara NSW
Cicada Luxury Camping
Mandala Signature Berry

Mandala Signature Berry

4 out of 5
72-76 Queen Street Berry NSW
Mandala Signature Berry
Park Ridge Retreat

Park Ridge Retreat

4 out of 5
139 Belinda Street Gerringong NSW
Park Ridge Retreat
See all 1,060 properties in Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.