Royal National Park

Walking

Walking tracks

Bungoona lookout and path

Wheelchair access: easy
This area is fully wheelchair accessible.

Round up the family and head to Royal National Park for a leisurely day by picturesque Hacking River, near Audley. Wheelchair accessible Bungoona lookout is a perfect first stop with great opportunities for picnicking and birdwatching.

Bungoona path meanders to the ridgetop and a scenic lookout with a lovely panorama of the river and surrounding park. It’s a view worth sharing with young and old, and the concrete path is specifically designed for prams and wheelchairs. Enjoy a relaxing riverside picnic at nearby Reids Flat picnic area. Keep an eye out for yellow-tailed cockatoos and lorikeets feasting in the banksias.

If you’re keen to know more about the activities on offer in Australia’s oldest national park, drop in to Royal National Park Visitor Centre for information on walking tracks, picnic areas and camping.

Plant communities: heathlands

Location:  shown on Audley map

Werrong Beach track

Does the thought of a deserted beach fringed with palms and golden sand sound appealing? Well, only an hour south of Sydney you can be making your way down Werrong Beach track, on the southern most tip of Royal National Park, to your own secluded beach paradise. If you like ‘a la naturelle’ with your nature then you’ll love the fact it’s a designated nude beach.

At Otford lookout, take in the spectacular coastal views up and down the coast. From here it’s a short steep climb passing a dramatic sandstone cliff before dropping into lush coastal rainforest of cabbage tree palms and ferns.

Upon arriving, fling off your shoes, walk the sandy shores, and take in the ocean vista. You might be the only ones there, except for the silver gulls and occasional sea eagle. Dive into the sparkling waves, swimmers optional, and enjoy the refreshing ocean. Make sure you pack a hearty picnic lunch, because you’ll need the energy to get back up the steep track.

Plant communities: rainforests, heathlands

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

Bundeena Drive to Marley walk

A delightful track that combines bush, heath and beaches with a moderate walk in the coastal region of Royal National Park. Bundeena Drive to Marley walk is ideal for intrepid bush walkers who love an invigorating day-walk with birdwatching and spell-binding views, just south of Sydney.

Following this track as it winds through fragrant bushland, notice the tall trees of angophora and scribbly gum give way to heath of hakea and boronia. Look for grass trees and the striking Gymea lily that shoots a single red flower in the spring. Enjoy a break by the picturesque Deer Pool before joining Little Marley trail.

Arriving at Little Marley Beach, tuck into a well deserved picnic on the sands and soak in the fresh coastal breezes. Retrace your steps, or if you’re feeling like a longer walk, organise a pick up and head north for Bundeena along The Coast track.

Plant communities: heathlands

Location:  shown on park map

Forest path

Forest path offers an easy hike through Royal National Park’s rainforests.

This almost-circular loop is suitable for walkers of all fitness levels and is a great one for the kids. One of the park’s oldest tracks, it begins south of Bola Creek, near the southern end of Lady Carrington Drive.

Following Forest path, you’ll cross the lower slopes of Forest Island, a hill isolated by the valleys of the Hacking River and Bola Creek which almost surround it.

This beautiful walk leads you past a variety of native plants and flowers, including eucalypts, casuarinas, cabbage tree palms and Gymea lilies that are home to a range of birdlife. You’ll also pass Bola Creek.

Plant communities: rainforests, dry eucalypt forests

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

Couranga walking track

You could close your eyes and pretend you’re in your happy place, but why not jump on the train or get in the car and be there for real? Only an hour from Sydney, this medium walk near Waterfall on the western edge of Royal National Park is the perfect day trip for those in need of a dose of nature.

Feel the city stress peel away as you follow the track through the heathlands, a real treat in spring when the vivid wildflowers attract the nectar-loving honey eaters and southern emu wrens. Meandering downhill, you’ll realise that the heath gives way to majestic forests of bluegum and blackbutt.

You’ll pass the historic sawpits, remnants of the logging days, before reaching the Hacking River. Spend a relaxing afternoon under the rainforest trees before heading back. If you’re after a longer walk, cross the river and join the forest path before returning.

Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests, rainforests, grassy woodlands, heathlands

Cultural heritage: The track follows the route of the old logging track. At Fosters Flat you can still see the remains of the old sawpits where loggers cut and sawed valuable bluegum, blackbutt, turpentine and rainforest timber.

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

Karloo walking track

For a quick nature fix only a short drive or train ride from Sydney, try Karloo walking track. This medium walk leads from Heathcote train station to the scenic Uloola Falls in the north-west section of Royal National Park.

This moderately challenging track leads through heathland, passing beautiful Karloo Pool, a popular swimming and picnic spot. You might be tempted to stop for a refreshing dip before continuing. Be sure to look for the 'whaleback' rock outcrops, named after their resemblance to whales surfacing for air. The fascinating rock outcrops of Uloola Turrets are also worth exploring.

At Uloola Falls, enjoy a relaxing lunch beside the delightful waterfall. Nearby Uloola Falls campground is a popular spot; however if you want to make a weekend of it, it’s best to book in advance. Return the way you came or take Uloola walking track to Waterfall Station.

Plant communities: heathlands

Location:  shown on park map

Curra Moors loop track

If you long for a challenging walk to clear the head and work the body, the Curra Moors loop trail through the eastern section of Royal National Park is just the ticket. The bush meets the sea with dramatic sandstone cliffs and spectacular coastal views, so there are plenty of scenic views.

The track will lead you through woodlands of scribbly gums and angophoras before opening up to heathland. If you like birdwatching, be sure to look for the nectar loving lewins honey eater and the eastern spinebill. If you’re here in spring, the wildflowers, in particular the hakeas, are the ultimate in aroma therapy.

Stop for a break at the spectacular Curracurrong waterfall, or take the short detour north to Eagle Rock. Keep an eye out for whales, in season, as you follow the coastal track south to Garie North Head. Stop for a picnic lunch and soak up the spectacular panoramic views.

Plant communities: grassy woodlands, heathlands

Location:  shown on park map

Lady Carrington drive

Plant communities: rainforests, dry eucalypt forests

Cultural heritage: Lady Carrington Road was completed in 1886 (renamed Lady Carrington Drive in 1916). Less than 1/2 km from the northern end of the Drive is a large overhang called 'Gibralter' where the road surface has been cobbled.  Two stone troughs, Jersey Springs, were built in 1892 to capture water from a natural spring. These can be seen 2.6 km from the northern end of the Drive. Evidence of the park's history can also be seen adjacent to the southern end of the Drive in the form of a shale quarry. You can also see evidence of the park's logging history with large Turpentine stumps and remnant Turpentine trees in the Rainforest adjacent to the Drive.

Location maps

• shown on park map 1
• shown on Audley map 2
• shown on Forest Island - Garie Beach - Otford map 3

Palm Jungle loop track

This challenging track offers the best of all worlds in the southern reaches of Royal National Park. Near Otford, Palm Jungle loop track meanders through coastal rainforest, beaches and cliff tops offering spectacular ocean views and swimming. It’s perfect for bushwalkers who love to pack an adventure into a day trip.

From Garrawarra Farm the track leads through towering forests of gums and graceful angophoras. Descending the steep Burgh Ridge, stop and absorb the brilliant panoramic views along the dramatic coastline. Joining The Coast track, veer right past historic beach shacks to Burning Palms beach. It’s a great spot for a refreshing dip and a scenic picnic lunch.

The track winds through a jungle of lush palms to Werrong lookout; a rocky outcrop with magnificent views. At the track junction, take a right through shady woodlands back to your car or turn left towards Otford.

Plant communities: grassy woodlands, heathlands

Uloola walking track

You won’t believe this long walk is only an hour from the centre of Sydney. Uloola walking track meanders through the picturesque highlands of Royal National Park, and you’ll soon forget you’re so close to civilisation. It’s also a popular mountain biking track, so keep your eye out for cyclists.

Passing through the heathlands, you’ll be dazzled by a wildflower display in the spring. Keep an eye out for the towering Gymea lilly that shoots a striking red flower in the warmer months. The track follows the ridge line with some great scenic views. Look for the intriguing ‘whaleback’ formation in the sandstone.

Stop for a break at the pretty Uloola waterfalls. If you’re into birdwatching, be sure to look for the quirky hanging nest of the water-loving rock warbler under the sandstone ledges.

Plant communities: grassy woodlands, heathlands

Location:  shown on Audley map

The Coast track

The Coast track simply must be walked at least once in a lifetime.

You’ll walk along cliffs, beaches and escarpments, taking in magnificent ocean views and the rugged beauty of Royal National Park’s coastline as you go.

The 26km track runs from Bundeena to Otford. You can tackle it in sections or, if you’re super-fit, in a single day.

A great way to complete The Coast track walk, though, is to make it a two-day backpack trip with an overnight stop at North Era campground.

Plan your walk during whale watching season to spot migrating humpback whales.  Although if you go in summer you can cool off with a swim at  Little Marley, Wattamolla, Garie, North Era or Burning Palms Beach.

Plant communities: dry eucalypt forests, grassy woodlands, heathlands

Location maps

• shown on park map 1
• shown on Forest Island - Garie Beach - Otford map 2

Walking: events and activities