Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Aboriginal rock engravings, grinding grooves and shell middens make Muogamarra Nature Reserve in Cowan a standout bushland reserve. Open only six weeks each year in August and September, it offers volunteer-led guided walks with views over the Hawkesbury River and Berowra Creek.
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About Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Aboriginal Heritage at Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Muogamarra Nature Reserve contains Aboriginal heritage in the form of rock engravings, grinding grooves and shell middens. The reserve's volunteer guides include these engravings in their tours, so visitors can see the carvings in the landscape where they were made. Muogamarra Nature Reserve's heritage values are one of the main reasons public access is limited to a short open season each year. Visitors interested in cultural history will find the engravings the most distinctive feature of a visit, and the guided tours are the way to reach them.
Walking Tracks and Lookouts at Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Muogamarra Nature Reserve has walking tracks that offer views of the Hawkesbury River and Berowra Creek, and of Bar, Milson, Long and Spectacle islands. The Point Loop lookout and the JD Tipper lookout are both marked on the reserve, and the JD Tipper lookout overlooks Brooklyn and the Hawkesbury River. The tracks at Muogamarra Nature Reserve include short steep hill sections, a rough surface, a steep gravel road and many steps, so walkers should allow extra time. Muogamarra Nature Reserve suits bushwalkers who want river views without leaving the bush.
Guided Walks at Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Muogamarra Nature Reserve runs guided walks led by volunteer guides, and these must be booked and paid for online in advance. The 2026 Muogamarra highlights walk is a 3km guided walk on 6, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 September, meeting at the visitor centre, and it is marked sold out. The Peats Bight full-day walk at Muogamarra Nature Reserve is a 10km challenging walk on dates in late August and September 2026, and it is also marked sold out. The 2026 walk prices include the park entry fee, while self-guided tours at Muogamarra Nature Reserve run only on Sundays and four Saturdays in the open season.
Facilities at Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Visitor tips for Muogamarra Nature Reserve
- ✓Bring binoculars, as recommended for self-guided days, to watch for birds across the river.
- ✓Outside the open season, pre-arranged groups such as scouts or schools can access the reserve for education or special events.
Getting to Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Muogamarra Nature Reserve is on the Pacific Highway at Cowan NSW 2081, roughly 3 to 3.5 km north of Cowan, where a small gravel road with a gate on the left side leads in. It is about a 45-minute drive from the Sydney CBD. A car space fee of $5 per vehicle applies (2025 prices), and NSW National Parks passes are not valid for entry.
Open in Google Maps →Nearby Cowan
- 📍Hawkesbury River
- 📍Berowra Creek
- 📍Brooklyn
- 📍Bar Island
- 📍Milson Island
- 📍Long Island
- 📍Spectacle Island
Frequently asked questions about Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Is Muogamarra Nature Reserve wheelchair or pram accessible?
Visitors with access needs are welcomed, but the 2025 self-guided tour had no wheelchair access. Contact the venue or organiser before you visit to confirm options.
Is there parking at Muogamarra Nature Reserve, and is it free?
Parking is not free, with a car space fee of $5 per vehicle at 2025 prices. NSW National Parks passes do not cover entry to the reserve.
What are the opening hours for Muogamarra Nature Reserve?
The reserve's gates open from 8.30am to 4.30pm during its 2026 season, which runs from 15 August to 20 September.
Do I need to book or pay to enter Muogamarra Nature Reserve?
Entry is by ticket during the open season, and guided and self-guided tours must be booked and paid for online in advance because numbers are limited.
Is Muogamarra Nature Reserve worth visiting if I'm interested in wildlife and bushwalking?
Yes, the reserve protects more than 900 native plants and 14 native mammal species, including the endangered glossy black-cockatoo and wedge-tail eagle. Its walking tracks also offer views of the Hawkesbury River.