Summary

Royal National Park is Australia's first national park, and the third in the world. Located just south of Sydney in Sutherland Shire it is situated on Dharawal country. Originally named just National Park, it was renamed in 1955 after Queen Elizabeth II passed by in a train.

Walks in Royal National Park

Medium

6.8 km return

2.5 hrs

Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit

On this loop walk you will enjoy some grand ocean views, a few secluded beaches, rock shelves and some Aboriginal engravings. The walk starts in the community of Bundeena and follows the roads to Jibbon Beach then along the track to Jibbon Head and Shelley beach, then a long stretch of sandy management trail through the heath. The walk also describes a side trip to Bundeena Lookout.

Medium

14 km return

4 hrs

Bundeena to Little Marley Beach

Exploring the coastline of the Royal National Park, this walk has fantastic views and a great place to wet the toes at Little Marley Beach. Bundeena is a great place to start the walk, with places to grab a bite to eat. You can also catch the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena, an excellent way to start a day of walking. With this walk, prepare to be astounded by great views of the ocean and cliffs.

Very Easy

900 m return

20 mins

Bungoona Lookout

Concrete path winding through the bush along sandstone rocks and finishes at a secured lookout with views down to the Hacking River and Audley.

Hard

28 km one-way

9 hrs

Coast Track

The Coast Walk in the Royal National Park is a popular long day-walk or overnight walk from Otford to Bundeena, along the coast. It offers stunning views, many pristine beaches and some spectacular waterfalls.

Medium

5.1 km one-way

2 hrs

Couranga Track

This is a pleasant walk, taking you through some of Royal National Parks more diverse ecosystems. From Waterfall Station, the walk heads through the bush and heath, before descending to the rain forest and palms on the banks of the upper Hacking River. A great walk to explore Royal National Park's floral diversity

Medium

10.2 km return

3 hrs

Curra Moors

If you long for a challenging walk to clear the head and work the body, the Curra Moors loop track 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.

Medium

6.5 km return

2 hrs

Figure 8 Pool

Possibly the most popular and most instagrammed National Park attraction, the Figure 8 pool is a natural rock formation in the Royal National Park. It can be reached via a couple of tracks: this route describes the shortest way to the pool.

Medium

1.5 km one-way

30 mins

Honeymoon Track

This walk is filled with beautiful boulders covered with moss.

Medium

10 km one-way

3.75 hrs

Lady Carrington Drive

This walk follows the historic Lady Carrington Drive along the Hacking River. The road has been closed to traffic for some time now and provides a great way for walkers (and mountain bikers) to explore the rich area of Royal National Park. The side of the management trail is dotted with fantastic natural sandstone formations, historic features, picnic areas and grand native and introduced trees.

Easy

6 km return

2 hrs

Princess Marina Track to Kellys Falls

The hike along Princess Marina Track to Kellys Falls isn’t a long one, but it’s a tough one, with some serious guts needed to get up and down the rope ladder (which was broken last time we checked). But it’s all totally worth it, with a stunning swimming hole calling your name at the bottom.