Barren Grounds
NSW 2577 • New South Wales
About Barren Grounds
Barren Grounds is a small rural locality on the Illawarra Escarpment in New South Wales, situated approximately 20 kilometres west of Kiama in the Whitlam electorate. The locality is best known as the location of the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, a nationally significant wetland and heathland protected area managed by NSW National Parks. The surrounding landscape is dominated by high-altitude coastal heath, sedge swamps, and rainforest pockets, providing critical habitat for threatened species including the Eastern Ground Parrot.
Barren Grounds attracts birdwatchers, bushwalkers, and nature enthusiasts from across the Illawarra and Southern Highlands, with the nature reserve offering walking trails and birdwatching hides. The locality has no resident population to speak of, functioning primarily as conservation land above the escarpment. Kiama and Berry provide the nearest amenities, while Wollongong is accessible within 40 minutes by car along the Illawarra Highway.
Barren Grounds falls under postcode 2577 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kiama electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Commute to Sydney CBD
๐ฃ๏ธ Car essential; accessed via Jamberoo Mountain Road or Macquarie Pass; Wollongong ~40 min
Conservation locality with no public transport; walking trails within the nature reserve only
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Sheepwash Rd
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Berrima Public School ICSEA 1029Oxley St
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Burrawang Public School ICSEA 1076Church St
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Better Homes Farm Tugalon
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Kangaroo Valley Public School ICSEA 1073Moss Vale-Nowra Rd
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6480 Illawarra Highway
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Moss Vale High School ICSEA 1015Narellan Rd
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Moss Vale Public School ICSEA 985Browley St
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463 Argyle Street
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18 Garrett Street
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Robertson Public School ICSEA 1025Hoddle St
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Illawarra Hwy
Parks & Reserves
There is 1 park or reserve in Barren Grounds.
Crime Statistics
NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Barren Grounds by offence type, year and trend.
๐ View Barren Grounds Crime Statistics on BOCSAR โData source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research ยท Search for "Barren Grounds" under Suburb
