The Best Royal National Park Walks: Guide + Insider Tips

The variety of walks on offer in the Royal National Park have made it popular with bushwalking enthusiasts for over one hundred years. From easy beginners hikes to family-friendly walks and even an epic 2-day challenge along the Coast Track. We have been walking these trails since we were teenagers and we know there is a walk here to suit everyone!

Royal National Park walks offer something for every level of hiker, just an hour from Sydney’s CBD. You’ll find yourself surrounded by pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and breathtaking coastal views. Whether you’re after a short stroll or a challenging hike, the Royal National Park walks have got you covered.

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We’ve been exploring Royal National Park walks since we were teenagers, and we have gotten to know the park better than most. Growing up in Sydney’s southern suburbs, the Royal was our go-to spot as soon as we were old enough to venture out on our own. Our parents were happy because it wasn’t too far from home, and we loved it because it offered some pretty grand adventures.

Plan a walk in Royal National Park

In this guide, we’ll break down the best Royal National Park walks by area, making it easy for you to choose the perfect trail. You’ll find:

• Detailed descriptions of our favorite Royal National Park walks
• Tips on how to get to each walk, including public transport options
• Honest assessments of trail difficulty
• Family-friendly walks in Royal National Park
• Some hidden gems you might not find in other guides

Did you know that the Royal National Park is the second oldest national park in the world? It was established in 1879!

Our guide to Royal National Park walks has you covered, whether you’re a local looking for your next weekend adventure or a visitor hoping to experience the best of Sydney’s nature. So lace up your hiking boots, pack some snacks, and let’s explore the Royal National Park together!

Map of our favourite places in Royal National Park

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Map key

Click on the map to save it to your phone or see more detail.

• Blue – walks from Bundeena
• Purple – walks from Audley
• Orange – walks from Wattamolla and Garawarra Farm Car Park
• Pink – walks from train stations

Note: Please double-check the NSW National Park website for any current alerts and closure information. You can also follow them on Twitter for updates when the park is full and closed to cars.

Getting to the Royal National Park

Driving to the park is easy. Take the M1, then A1, and finally Princes Hway. Only 30km and less than an hour from the Sydney CBD, you will find yourself in another world.

There are two key entry points for vehicles:

• Take the Farnell Ave turn off for walks in the northern section of the park. This includes access to Audley, Bundeena, Wattamolla and Curracurong Falls.
• For walks at Garie or beyond, it’s quicker to continue down the Princes Highway and turn off at McKell Ave.

Public Transport to the Royal National Park

If you want to explore without a car, there are plenty of options for getting to the park on public transport.

• Cronulla train station – The Bundeena Ferry departs from Cronulla train station for the Coast Track or Jibbon Loop.
• Heathcote train station – For Karloo Track
• Waterfall train Station – For National Falls (3km each way) / Uloola Falls and Forest Path via Couranga Track.
• Helensburgh train station – for the Burgh Track, which takes you to Garawarra Hill.
• Otford train station – for the southern end of the Coast trail.

Which walk in the Royal National Park should you do?

We have been walking these tracks for over 30 years. In that time, we have covered most of the 150km of trails and tracks on offer. Recently, we tried to buy a book on walks in the park and were told by the visitors centre they don’t exist.

We headed online and found lots of really great articles on individual hikes, but not much that summarised everything on offer. So we thought we would share our thoughts on the most popular ones with you because we think they really are among the best walks in Sydney.

The Royal National Park is one of the closest spots to Sydney to find waterfalls, there are over a dozen here, although some only appear after rain.

So let’s get you walking. We have grouped the walks according to the part of the park they are located in, as per the map above.

Dividing the park into sections

This park is enormous, 15,000 hectares to be exact, and you will need lots of visits to see it all. To make things easier, we have split the park into areas.

For coastal walks

• Bundeena in the north
• Wattamolla in the middle
• Garie in the south

For forest and wild swimming spots

• Audley
• Heathcote/Waterfall in the west

We use and recommend the All Trails app – the paid version of the All Trails app. It’s well worth the price!

Walks from Bundeena end of the park

Bundeena, a village of just under 2000 residents, sits on the banks of Port Hacking surrounded by the National Park. There are a handful of beautiful beaches, some well preserved Aboriginal carvings and the Bundeena Art Trail, where artists living here open their studios on the first Sunday of every month.

Jibbon Loop (and Jibbon Trail extension)

The Jibbon Loop Track is an easy 5km walk that mainly follows the coast to Port Hacking Point. Along the way, enjoy views back to Cronulla from the beach as you head to the point.

Detour to the Aboriginal carvings just before you come to Little Jibbon Beach, which is a nude beach.

This is a brilliant spot for some whale watching in the winter, with plenty of activity on the whale highway between June and October.

Another ‘hidden gem’ is Shelley Beach, which you will find at the junction of the Jibbon Loop and the Jibbon Trail. This is a lovely spot for a picnic or to paddle your feet, but I would not swim here as it’s quite rocky once you get off the sand and the sea can get rough.

The loop will take you back to Bundeena by cutting off the point and landing you back on the beach part of the track. Allow 2-3 hours to enjoy everything on offer.

The Jibbon Trail continues south to join the Coast Track.

Best for: Families, whale watching, an easy coastal walk
Difficulty rating: easy Distance: 5km
Public transport option: Easy – train to Cronulla and then 20m ferry ride.

The Coast Track or Coast Walk

The coast walk is a 27km trail that runs from Bundeena to Otford. Most people who attempt the complete walk do it over two days, spending one night at North Era Campground (currently closed until the end of 2024).

The walk is generally attempted in the north to south direction, which we recommend because we think the view is nicer that way. However, you can begin in Otford and walk north.

These days we prefer to split it into three sections over three visits. We are getting old and don’t love rough camping as much as we used to!

Highlights of the Coast Track include:

• Wedding Cake Rock
• Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock
• Burning Palms and Figure 8 Pools
• In winter and spring, the whale highway!

Each section conveniently boasts one highlight, meaning you will eventually want to do the whole thing.

Section 1 – Coast Trail Head to Wattamolla, 9.2km

The first section of the walk will get to Wedding Cake Rock. Along the way, you pass two other highlights, the Balconies and the Water Run, before finally reaching the fragile sandstone cliff that is Wedding Cake Rock.

The distance from the start to this point is approx 2.8km. However, you will need to retrace your steps, so walk 5.6km return. Most people continue to Wattamolla where you can pick up the shuttle for a ride back to your car or a nearby station. This section is officially rated easy.

You could also consider this guided tour that includes Wedding Cake Rock and a couple of other top stops in the park.

Section 2 – Wattamolla to Garie Beach, 7.5km one way

The next section begins from the northern car park just past the facilities. However, before you head off, take some time to check out the waterfall and lagoon overlooking the beach.

Jumping from the top of the waterfall is banned, and the area is fenced off. However, every time we are here there are people jumping, and every summer, there are accidents and, sadly deaths as recently as 2020. Please consider this and enjoy the waterfall from the lookout or the water below.

This section of the coast track, also known as the Eagle Rock walk, is described in detail below. Instead of coming back to Wattamolla, on the Coast Track leg you continue to Garie.

If you are not completing the entire walk, you can walk out to Garawarra Farm car park to meet the shuttle. This section is rated easy.

Section 3 – Garie Beach to Otford, 10.8km

The last section of the Coast Track is also the most challenging. I used to think it was just because it was when I got tired, but it really is a little harder than the previous stages. It passes through Burning Palms, where you take your detour to Figure 8 Pools before rejoining the track to Otford.

Best for: A challenge, although it’s more distance than the grade that provides the challenge.
Difficulty rating: Moderate Distance: 27km
Public transport option: Easy – train to Cronulla and then 20m ferry ride. From Bundeena Wharf, it’s about a 20-minute walk through the suburban streets of Bundeena to the start of the coast track. Return home from Otford Station.

Wedding Cake Rock

If your goal is to see Wedding Cake Rock before it slides down into the ocean (something that is predicted to happen in the next decade), follow the instructions above for Section 1 of the Coast Track. An alternative is the Wedding Cake Rock, Big Marley Circuit Walk.

Please don’t climb the fence. This rock is incredibly unstable, and no photo is worth risking your life for.

Marley Beach Walk

The two stunning secluded beaches and Deer Pool, a small waterfall or cascade that is 1.8km from the start of the Marley track, are the highlights of this walk.

Marley Beach is a pristine, unpatrolled beach that has no vehicle access. There are no shops and no facilities. Instead, you will find beautiful clean sand and, unless you visit on summer weekends, very few people.

Three tracks will take you to Marley Beach. Two are fire trails, popular with mountain bikers, and the other an official hiking track.

• Big Marley (fire) Trail brings you out near Marley Head to the north of the beach.
• Marley Track is the official option. It starts from Marley car park, goes via Deer Pool, and joins Little Marley Trail. It ends near Marley Beach. This is an 8km return walk and will take between 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on your pace.
• Little Marley (fire) Trail, is the closest to Little Marley Beach (12.6km return). It eventually joins the coast walk here. You can head north to Marley Beach.

There are a couple of ways to do this walk. One option is a loop walk via Deer Pool that has you going one way on the track and back out on a fire trail, just over 14km. The other option is the Marley Track Loop that comes in at 11.4km. The fire trail walk is a little dull, but it’s an easier walk

There are also two Marley Beaches, along with being three walks to Marley Beach.

The northern beach, Marley Beach, is a large sandy beach with some dunes that can be fun to explore. The ocean can get rough, and there are often strong currents, so I would not recommend swimming here.

Little Marley is our preference because you can usually find some shade to hide under. Along with that, the ocean is much calmer, and there are also some rock pools to explore. If you find Marley is too busy for you, head south to this little beauty.

You can view this walk on Google Trekker to get an idea of how wet the track can be.

Best for: A day at the beach without the hoards, suitable for older kids happy to walk distances.
Difficulty rating: Moderate Distance: 6.5 to 8km, depending on the route you take.
Public transport option: OK – You can start from Bundeena, but this is easier with a car.

Walks from Wattamolla

Wattamolla often feels like the epicentre of the park. In summer, parking here is at a premium, often by mid-morning. It’s not uncommon for the road to be closed for crowd control. Aim to get here early at 9am at the latest for a quiet hike.

Wattamolla Beach, Lagoon and Dam

One of the most beautiful beaches in the park, it sometimes feels like all of Sydney has descended on Wattamolla at once for their Sunday picnic. Don’t worry, as most don’t leave the beach and venture south to the key attractions on this hike.

Highlights at Wattamolla:

• Wattamolla Waterfall – look but don’t jump
• Wattamolla Dam – a safe swimming spot
• Providential Point is a whale watching hot spot.

You could take a walk to Wattamolla Dam, also known as Wattamolla pool, for a short walk before your day at the beach. It is a little over half a km from the car park.

Alternatively, make your way to Providential Point. A well-marked track follows the beach to the point where you get a superb view out to sea. It’s a simple walk for kids, which is especially worth the effort in winter when whales pass this point regularly.

Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls

This is one of the most popular Royal National Park walks and one with a huge reward to effort ratio. Eagle Rock is an easy, although long walk, that you can take the kids and grandma on.

It’s true that this track is one of the busier ones, but don’t let that deter you. Just start nice and early, and even in summer, you can complete the walk in relative peace. If you have not already walked to Providential Point, you can walk that way and meet the track around the point. It’s very scenic, and we recommend you start this one and finish via the official trailhead in the car park.

Spectacular ocean views await along the length of the walk.

Highlights of the walk to Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls are:

• Curracurrang Creek and falls
• Eagle Rock
• Curracurrong Falls

In a confusing twist, there are two waterfalls on this walk with very similar names. One is the one you likely came here to see, and the other is a well-hidden surprise worth searching out on a hot day.

• Curracurrong Falls is mentioned in the walk’s name and falls off the cliff into the ocean.
• Curracurrang Falls is about 200m west of where you cross the Curracurrong Creek.

From the start, it’s 3.5km to Eagle Rock. Some of the walk is along unfenced sheer cliffs, so it’s not the best option for little kids unless you have nerves of steel or can carry them for sections.

Just under 2kms in is Curracurrang Creek, a lovely area just before you reach the lookout suitable for a dip. It also doubles as a picnic spot if you find hunger strikes.

Tip: If you head upstream following an unmarked track just before the stepping stone to cross the creek, you will find a lovely swimming hole. More often than not, there is no one else here.

Cross the stepping stones and follow the trail to Eagle Rock. You can’t see the rock until you pass it. If you are not sure, turn on Google maps or Alltrails to make sure you don’t miss it.

Next, stop the falls. This is the only waterfall we have ever sent drops directly into the ocean. On windy days it blows back onto land.

In total, it will take you about 3 hours to return if you stop to enjoy the views. You can save yourself about half a km by taking the fire trail back to the Wattamolla car park instead of back via Providential Point.

Best for: a half-day adventure, not ideal for younger kids as you walk close to the cliff edge.
Difficulty rating: Moderate
Distance: approx 8km depending on the route you chose
Public transport option: No – book the shuttle or drive.

Curra Moors Loop Track

If you can’t get parking or they have closed the road into Wattamolla, you can still access Curracurrong Falls from this track.

This is a pretty spring hike. While quite long, it has less up and down than the previous one, making it a little easier. It’s also an option if you don’t enjoy doing in and out walks. The track starts from Stevens Drive and can get pretty muddy when it’s wet. The highlight is when the track joins the Coast Track near Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock.

Follow this track, and you will find it rejoins just before North Garie Head. Get tips and more details here from the Wildlife Diaries great article.

Best for: when you can’t get parking at Wattamolla or need a flat walk
Difficulty rating: Moderate
Distance: 10km
Public transport option: No

Walks from Audley

Here, we have grouped walks that begin from the Farnell Ave entry to the park or the Visitors Centre at Audley together.

Audley is the best spot in the park to head if you want to combine walking and picnicking. The lovely Audley Cafe is next to the Visitor’s Centre also does fabulous brunch and lunch meals.

The Bungoona Track

Just after you enter the park at Farnell Ave, you will see a turnoff for this walk. It’s a 1km long wheelchair friendly walk is views of the Port Hacking River.

Even if you are here for a more challenging walk, pop in and check out the view. The only fully accessible walk in the Royal National Park.

Best for: Wheelchairs and prams
Difficulty rating: Easy – fully accessible
Distance: 1km
Public transport option: Not recommended but 4km from Loftus

Lady Carrington Drive

While this is more popular as a cycling track, it also provides a nice flat walk suitable for the entire family. Previously a road, the track follows the Port Hacking River with plenty of picnic tables along the way.

At the southern end of the path, the Forest Path meets, which makes a great addition to your day if you are up for a longer walk.

Palona Cave detour

Another option of Lady Carrington Drive is this 1.6km return detour to Palona Cave. It’s marked by an old wooden sign that just states ‘Limestone Cave’. The path is not very clear, and while it’s a pleasant walk, it’s not at the top of our list. It surprised us when we heard it referred to as a hidden gem.

Sometimes, a small waterfall is here, but we have never seen it looking impressive. I think you really need to be here right after some heavy rain for a decent flow. But given how overgrown this track is, you might get pretty damp from the ferns and perhaps take home a leech or two.

Best for: Families or anyone looking for a flat walk
Difficulty rating: Easy
Distance: 10km one way (+1.6 for Palona Cave)
Public transport option: No, but you can take the shuttle to Audley

Winifred Falls

You can begin this walk at the Visitors Centre or take a shortcut and park on Warumbul Road. The last time we ventured here, it was stinking hot, so we took the easy way. Although it’s only 1km, it’s completely unshaded and gets quite steep on the final third of the track.

We saw two people wearing throngs lose their footing on the loose rocks on the downhill stretches.

Visit on the weekend and arrive after 11am, and expect to share the falls with a dozen or more new friends. However, if you walk about 800m further along, you will come to South West Arm Creek, which is a much nicer spot to take a dip and offers way more room!

Best for: A waterfall picnic, the path is rocky and can be unstable on the downhill stretch
Difficulty rating: Moderate but the uphill walk from the falls can get you puffing.
Distance: 2km return on the fire trail or 3.8km each way from the Visitors Centre
Public transport option: No

Walks from Waterfall and Heathcote Stations

If you are visiting Royal National Park without a car, these tracks are a brilliant choice. You can do them as out and back walks or turn them into loop walks.

Uloola Falls Track

This track, popular for hiking and mountain biking, runs between Audley Visitors Centre and Waterfall. It’s 11km one way and relatively flat. It’s most attractive in spring when wildflowers are gorgeous.

There is a campground at Uloola Falls, about 5km walk from Waterfall Station. It offers just a drop toilet, but there are no other facilities, making it perfect for practising your bush camping skills.

Many people string this track together with the Karloo Track walking in and out from Waterfall and Heathcote.

You can check out the view on Google Tracker.

Best for: Carless hiking, wild swimming
Difficulty rating: Moderate Distance: 11km return
Public transport option: Excellent

The Track to Karloo Pools

Karloo Pools Track begins at Heathcote Station. You have a choice of doing it as an out and back or walking a loop via Uloola Track to Waterfall Station.

While it can get hectic on the weekend, you can often find you have the pool to yourself on weekdays. The pool itself is one of the deepest, and we think it is most special in Royal National Park when you can get here on a quiet day.

Tip: The water here is freezing!

The track stays quite wet after rain, so be sure to wear decent shoes. It’s also pretty rough in spots, making it challenging for little kids but a total adventure for primary aged kids.

It’s rated moderate, and it’s only about 5km if you retrace your steps. Most people can do it in an hour each way. Bring plenty of water, as there are no facilities along the way.

Leave your car at one station and jump the train back.

Check out all the swimming holes in the Royal National Park on Wild Swimming Australia.

Best for: Waterfall and swimming hole with little effort
Difficulty rating: Moderate – Grade 3
Distance: 2.5 km each way or 10km if you walk to Waterfall Station.
Public transport option: Excellent – a track from Heathcote Station

Kangaroo Creek Track

This trail, one of the less trodden in the park, is really only suited to those looking for a challenge. It’s a roughly made out track so great for working on your navigation skills and an alternative to the well-formed routes described above.

Tip: Take a quick detour to Peach Trees Trig Station for stunning Port Hacking views.

This is a 14.8km loop walk from Heathcote Station. Pack plenty of water and stamina, and even in summer consider trousers over shorts. There are other ways to access Kangaroo Creek from Audley.

Walks from Garawarra Farm Car Park

A starting point for some very popular tracks if you are driving is the car park at Garrawarra Farm. Take the McKell Drive, turn off and get here early as the car park fills quickly.

Walks from here will take you to the best beaches of the Royal National Park.

Burning Palms and Figure 8 Pools

Figure 8 Pools is the most Insta-famous spot in the park. However, it’s also notoriously dangerous, so a visit here needs to be planned carefully.

The rock ledge that the pools are on reminds me of the tessellated pavement at Eaglehawk neck near Port Arthur in Tasmania. It’s just a lot harder to reach! While the pool that is shaped like an eight looks pretty cool in real life, I don’t think it is quite as amazing looking as it is on Instagram, but that is just my opinion, many disagree!

There are a couple of ways to reach Figure 8 Pools. The quickest is from the Garawarra Farm car park. But you can also make your way here from Otford by following the Coast Track. The pools are to the south of Burning Palms Beach.

The way down to Burning Palms beach is quite steep. Once you are there, you hop across the rocks around a couple of headlands for about 900m to the rock shelf where the pools are. This can only safely be done at low tide.

The rocks can be really slippery, covered in moss at times, as can the main track after rain. You really should wear hiking shoes to be safe.

In summer, carry in plenty of water as there are no facilities along the track. The Sydney Coast Walks guide gives excellent instructions.

If you are inexperienced or plan to visit alone, we think you should consider a tour. This way you know you will actually get to see the pools and have some help if you need it.

Best for: Those with good fitness and some experience.
Difficulty rating: Hard Distance: 7km return
Public transport option: The shuttle to Garawarra Farm car park

Palm Jungle Loop Track

Palm Jungle is one of the more challenging walks in the park. It offers magnificent views over Era Beach and Burning Palms.

Highlights include:

• Figure 8 Pools
• Burning Palms Beach
• Werrong Lookout

Check the tide before planning your outing. You can only see the pool at low tide. The tide needs to be less than 1m for this to be safe. Please take the warning seriously, as there have been some really tragic accidents here.

This 10km walk is officially rated as hard, but anyone with a decent fitness level will be fine. This was our favourite walk for many years, but I must admit it’s a couple of years since we did it.

Best for: Variety, jungle, beach, rock pools and sometimes deer!
Difficulty rating: Hard
Distance: 10km
Public transport option: Shuttle to Garawarra Farm car park

Werrong Beach Track

This is a pretty challenging track, one of the hardest short walks in the park. The track to Werrong Beach is not long, but it is very steep, which is how it earned its rating as hard. You begin at Otford Lookout and walk through the rainforest to a secluded beach and Royal National Park’s only nude beach.

Note: you may occasionally spot a naked hiker here, so perhaps not a brilliant spot for those who are uncomfortable with nudity.

Best for: A challenge!
Difficulty rating: Hard (officially a grade 5) Distance: 4km return
Public transport option: You can walk from Otford Station

Best Royal National Park walks for families

National Falls

This only makes the best family walks in Royal National Park if you’re driving. However, you can walk from Waterfall Station, but you will be next to the road, so it’s not ideal.

From the McKell Ave turn off at Waterfall Station, it’s just under 3km to the falls. You will see an area to pull in on the left. There’s no huge sign, so it’s best to add it to Google Maps or GPS if you don’t want to miss it.

Alternatively, you can park 2 minutes away, and it’s just a short walk to two viewing platforms. By walking about 100m along the road, you can get underneath the falls. You will see an old set of steps just over the railing that will take you underneath the falls.

Forest Path Track

This is a great introduction to bushwalking for kids. The track is a 4.5km loop that is mostly flat. It’s easy, but note that leeches may be ready to pounce after periods of rain.

Jibbon Loop Walk

This is a great choice for families because you can stop and swim at the beach if kids get tired or lose interest. The Aboriginal carvings are well signposted and add an extra element. In winter, you have a great chance of spotting whales.

Lady Carrington Drive

10km is fairly flat, and much of it is suitable for kids on bikes, although it gets a little rough in spots. If you don’t want to do the whole length, the first section to Gibraltar Rock or the last section near the Forest Walk are the best choices.

How much does it cost to visit the Royal National Park?

The entry fee is a per car fee. It’s currently $12 per car. We have an annual pass that costs $65 and includes all NSW Parks except Kosciuszko. If you enter the path on foot, there is no charge.

How much wildlife will you see here?

While you don’t see an enormous variety of marsupials in the park, you will spot plenty of gorgeous birds, a decent supply of lizards and usually an echidna or two. Snakes are also not entirely uncommon; we spotted one a few months ago, but they usually hurry off quickly.

Want to stay longer?

Try bush camping for the first time? Weekends camping in the Royal National Park’s offer secluded beaches, at Garie or Burning Palms or North Era, coastal and bush hikes, waterfalls and lookouts.

The Royal National Park is a great place to begin your camping experiences. The short drive from Sydney means you spend more time in the bush!

However, if you prefer not to rough it quite that much, there are several properties available for rent that are perfect for families or groups.

Ready to explore the Royal?

Well, there you have it – our insider’s guide to the best walks in the Royal. We’ve covered everything from easy strolls to challenging hikes, and hopefully given you plenty of ideas for your next adventure.

Remember, the Royal National Park is a special place. So pack out what you pack in, stick to the marked trails, and give the wildlife their space.

If you plan on doing a number of walks then we use and recommend the All Trails app – the paid version – it’s well worth the price!

Whether you’re keen for a quick dip at Wattamolla, fancy tackling the Coast Track, or just want a peaceful wander through the bush, the Royal’s got you covered.

And hey, if you discover a hidden gem we haven’t mentioned, or if you’ve got a favorite Royal National Park walk you think we should know about, share a comment and we check it out!

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All photos are our own unless otherwise credited.