Great Southern Walk project: update June 2025

Visitor facilities update

As part of the Great Southern Walk, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is developing accommodation areas for visitors in Royal National Park and the Illawarra. In Royal, the locations identified for overnight stays are Bonnie Vale (existing campgrounds), Wattamolla, Garie and Garawarra Farm. A new campground is proposed at Maddens Plains in the Illawarra.

At Bonnie Vale, further on-ground tent sites, camping platforms and basic hiker huts will be provided in addition to the existing facilities.

At Wattamolla and Garie, camping facilities will be provided alongside the existing amenities. An additional campground is planned for Garawarra Farm. This location will cater in particular to school and youth groups and Aboriginal culture camps.

Finally, in the Illawarra, the new campground at Maddens Plains will provide camping platforms and basic amenities.

Planning and detailed design for these campgrounds is underway. In developing this arrangement of camping locations, NPWS has considered visitor needs and support for a broad range of walker and user groups. Site constraints have also been considered.

This project will also deliver benefits to local communities to provide off-park accommodation options and services.

Progress update: Kamay Botany Bay National Park

• Construction of the new visitor centre in Kurnell is underway and will include visitor information services, an exhibition space, a café, an education centre and staff offices. This is expected to be complete in 2026. 
• Works at the Cricket Pitch Precinct to upgrade the amenities and car parking are complete and the upgraded precinct reopened in April.

Progress update: Royal National Park

• Palm Jungle Loop track has reopened; however, repairs are ongoing after poor weather caused some damage mid-year. These repairs will not affect access.
• The track between Garie Beach and Little Garie has been impacted by geotechnical issues at the Garie Headland cliff face. The track is currently being realigned over the headland, and access via the previous track at the foot of the cliff is permanently closed due to visitor safety concerns.
• Please check current alerts when planning your visit.

Progress update: Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area

• The Wodi Wodi Track (from Lawrence Hargrave Drive, through the Forest Walk junction, to the top of the escarpment) reopened on 20 December 2024.
• The Forest Walk and Lookout Tracks are mostly complete, with some outstanding and defect works to be finalised in the coming weeks.
• The western section of the Woodward Loop is currently under construction, with completion expected in the latter part of 2025.
• The new Panorama to Gateway Track is awaiting planning approval from relevant agencies before works can be tendered.
• The section of the Wodi Wodi Track from the Forest Walk junction to Stanwell Park Station remains classified as Grade 5, suitable only for very experienced bushwalkers, due to rough, steep and unmarked conditions.