Royal National Park

Camping

Car-based and caravan camping sites with facilities (no power) are available at Bonnie Vale and bookings are essential.

Backpack camping is permitted at limited sites - permits and bookings are essential; phone 02 9542 0683 between 10:30am and 1:30pm Monday to Friday. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

General information on camping in national parks

It's a good idea to pack a gas or liquid fuel stove for camping trips in national parks. Wood and solid fuel fires are not permitted in some parks, and although you'll find open fireplaces in many campgrounds, firewood may not be supplied. In many parks it's forbidden to collect firewood from the bush

In parks where campfires are allowed, make sure you completely extinguish all fires before leaving an area or going to bed. A small amount of glowing embers can start a huge bushfire. Heavy fines may apply if campfires or other unshielded flames are left unattended

Please don't feed native animals - it can damage their health and make them dependent on campers for food. To avoid attracting scavengers, store food and garbage in a secure container. Find out more about the dangers of feeding native animals: how it can affect them, their behaviour and you. See other ways to tread softly when you camp.

Campgrounds

Bonnie Vale campground (74 sites)

Wheelchair access: medium

This area can be accessed with some assistance

• Wheelchair accessible toilets

Activities: swimming, camping

Location:  shown on park map

Getting there: Bonnie Vale campground is in the Bundeena precinct of Royal National Park. To get there:

From Audley:

• Drive across Audley Weir and continue along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive for approximately 10km
• Turn left onto Bundeena Drive and continue to Bundeena township
• As you enter the town, turn left onto Sea Breeze Lane and follow the signs.

Alternatively, take the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena wharf. It’s a 15-minute walk along a track to the entrance.

Facilities: picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues, flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water

Online bookings: use a secure payment facility to book online

Alternatively, please contact the Customer Experience Team on 13000 PARKS (13000 72757) to make a booking.

NB: All reservations incur a booking fee of 2.5% in addition to the total amount payable.

North Era campground (12 sites)

Camp overnight at North Era campground, surrounded by the stunning coastal scenery of Royal National Park. Located on The Coast track behind pretty North Era Beach, the campground contains basic bush camping sites.

You’ll need to be fully self-sufficient when camping, including bringing your own food, drinking water, cooking equipment and supplies. North Era campground is the overnight stop for hikers tackling one of Sydney’s classic bushwalks, the 26km Bundeena to Otford Coast track.

Its position on The Coast track, south of the wonderful waves of Garie Beach, makes it a great spot for surfers, too. You’ll need to carry your board though – the campground can only be accessed by foot.

Activities: walking, surfing, swimming, fishing, camping

Location:  shown on Forest Island - Garie Beach - Otford map

Getting there: North Era campground is in the southern precinct of Royal National Park. The campground is along The Coast track and can only be accessed by foot. To get there:

From Audley:

• Drive across Audley Weir and continue along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
• Turn left onto Garie Road (sealed road) and follow to Garie Beach picnic area
• North Era campground is a short walk south along The Coast track

Alternatively, if starting from Garawarra Farm:

• After turning onto Garie Road, immediately turn right and follow the unsealed trail to Garawarra Farm
• Leave the car here and follow the steep Burgh track
• At the junction with The Coast track, turn left and head north to the campground.

Facilities: non-flush toilets

Online bookings: use a secure payment facility to book online

Alternatively, please contact the Customer Experience Team on 13000 PARKS (13000 72757) to make a booking.

NB: All reservations incur a booking fee of 2.5% in addition to the total amount payable.

Uloola Falls campground (6 sites)

Who would have thought you could be so close to the city and yet so far from civilisation? Uloola Falls campground in Royal National Park is a great nature getaway, especially if you're looking for things to do near Sydney.

For a relaxing start to your weekend escape, catch the train. Don’t forget your hiking boots because this campground is reached via the long Uloola walking track or the medium difficulty Karloo walking track. If you’re particularly adventurous, you can cycle there on your mountain bike from Waterfall.

Passing through heathlands, you’ll be bathed in colour by the wildflower displays in spring. Keep an eye out for the gymea lilly with its single stem and vibrant red flower.

Once you arrive, set up camp beside picturesque Uloola Falls and sleep under the stars. Your only distraction here will be the splash of the waterfall as it hits the rock pool below.

Activities: camping, swimming, fishing, astronomy and star gazing, picnics and barbecues, birdwatching

Location:  shown on park map

Getting there: Uloola Falls campground is in the Uloola precinct of Royal National Park. The campground can only be accessed by foot along Uloola walking track from either Waterfall or Audley, or along Karloo walking track from Heathcote. To get there:

From Waterfall:

• Turn off Princes Highway at Waterfall train station
• Uloola walking track starts at the rear of the station’s carpark
• Follow Uloola walking track to Uloola Falls campground

Alternatively, if starting from Audley:

• Drive across Audley Weir and take a right turn after Weir Cafe
• Head over Varneys Bridge and follow the signs
• Uloola walking track starts at either Currawong Flat or Wattle Forest picnic area
• Follow Uloola walking track to Uloola Falls campground

Alternatively, if starting from Heathcote:

• Turn off Princes Highway at Heathcote and cross the rail bridge in to Heathcote East
• Follow Wilson Parade and leave your car at Heathcote train station
• Walk south-east along Wilson Parade and shortly after passing the emergency services centre, you’ll arrive at an intersection where Karloo walking track is signposted.
• Follow Karloo walking track past Karloo Pools to Uloola Falls campground

Facilities: non-flush toilets, trackhead/access point

Online bookings: use a secure payment facility to book online

Alternatively, please contact the Customer Experience Team on 13000 PARKS (13000 72757) to make a booking.

NB: All reservations incur a booking fee of 2.5% in addition to the total amount payable.

Camping: events and activities