Royal National Park Things to Do Tips by ShelleyKeating

The 26km Coastal walk is a beautiful 2-day trek along the South Coast of NSW from the North-East of the Royal National Park in Bundeena to the South-East in Otford. It takes you along drastic cliffs, sandstone formations, golden-sand beaches, grasslands, and joins up to the Palm Jungle Trail- more beaches, bush and a palm jungle.

THE VIEWS ARE SPECTACULAR

Take a train to Cronulla station (from Central or Wollongong station, take a train to Sutherland, then change there for train to Cronulla). Check cityrail for train timetables. It is a short walk to the wharf where a ferry runs ever half hour to Bundeena. It is about a 10min walk to the start of the track.

It is adivsed you start the first day early (be on the track by 9) as the first day is a long trek, between 15-18km. We did not make it to the designated campsite at North Era beach and had to pitch tent in the dark at Garie beach, which is not in the rule book and i do not like breaking the rules in National Parks. The second day allows you to enjoy the spectacular views and is only 6.5km.

The track goes through Jibbon Head, Watamolla falls (where you can swim and have apicnic lunch), Little Marley and Marley Beach (also known as Bob Marley beach), Garie beach, North Era and South Era beach and Burning Palms beach. The palm jungle is a definate change in scenery, and very pleasent.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/ParkContentByDistance/N0030?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0030&Type=I

The start of this 3-5hour trail (depending on how much you stop to enjoy the views and surrounds) is conveniently located a short walk from Otford train station so a day trip can be made from Sydney or Wollongong.
Trains from Wollongong that stop at Otford are at: 7.17am, 8.39am, 9.47am, 11.39am, 1.46pm, 2.40pm, 3.25pm, 4.43pm and 5.00pm (weekdays, check cityrail website (www.cityrail.com.au) for weekends).
Trains from Sydney Central to Otford are at: 7.01am, 7.37am, 9.08am, 10.38am, 12.38pm, 2.08pm, 3.08pm, 3.53pm, 4.18pm (weekdays, check cityrail website (www.cityrail.com.au) for weekends).
At Otford station, climb up the stairs and hill on the eastern side of the station (same side as the trains coming from Central). You will come to an intersection- both lead to the start of the trail just one is on a dirt road and one is on a main road. It is about a 500m walk. You will come to the Otford lookout sign and this offers a nice view as well as being the start of the trail.
The track follows some of the Coastal Walk (a 2day track) and offers great views of bush, cliffs, sea, grassland and beach. Follow the signs to the Coastal walk, then through the palm jungle to Burning Palms Beach. The beach is lovely, quiet and has amazing sandstone formations which are a must to walk along. On the Northern side of the beach follow the signed path and then follow an un-signposted, but well developed trail called Burgh Ridge (don't turn off to the Coastal Track). Then follow signs back to Lilyvale then Burning Palms which will bring you back to Otford.

This is a lovely walk, especially on a nice day! Whales have been seen in migratory season.
The best book to get if you are interested in walks in Australia is Lonley Planets 'Walking in Australia' which is well worth the $35.

Beware of bluebottles on the beach (if there is one or two, there are thousands, if there are none, there are none-it is all or nothing as they ride the tide). Also watch for snakes in summer (they are more scared of you and bites are very rare).

Leave a Comment

Address: begins at Otford Lookout, Otford
Directions: Otford

This is a 4hour trail in the bushlands of the Royal National Park. It starts and ends at Waterfall Station. Check www.cityrail.com for timetables from Wollongong and Sydney Central as this walk can be a day trip from either city. On the eastern side of the Waterfall train station there is a car park which has a gateway through to the start of the trail. Follow the trail to Uloola but turn off when there is a sign on the right to the Couranga track. You cross the Hacking river, do a loop and cross back and follow the same trail home. It is possible to see lyrebirds but beware of leeches! Pack salt or a lighter (these get the blood-sucking leech off!) and wear high socks and decent shoes. I got a nice big juicy one coz I wore ankle socks. I preferred the Palm Jungle trail, but this is nice too. For the extra conscientious you could most likely do the two in one day- especially in summer due to long daylight hours.

Leave a Comment

Address: begins and ends at Waterfall station
Directions: Waterfall

If you have a day in Cronulla, take the ferry to Bundeena (a 15min ride) and you can do some short walks (1-2hrs). You can see some Aboriginal Carvings and the headlands with distant views of Sydney city. $5 for adults.

Mon-Fri:
Ferries to Bundeena: 5.30am then every hour til 6.30pm (except no ferry at 12.30)
Ferries from Bundeena: 6am then every hour til 7pm (except no ferry at 1pm)

Sat-Sun and public holidays (Summer Nov-March):
Ferries to Bundeena: 8.30am then every hour til 6.30pm
Ferries from Bundeena: 9am then every hour til 7pm

Sat-Sun and public holidays (Winter April-Oct):
Ferries to Bundeena: 8.30am then every hour til 5.30pm
Ferries from Bundeena: 9am then every hour til 6pm

Leave a Comment

Phone: 95232990
Address: Tonkin St, Gunnamatta Bay
Directions: The wharf is a 5 min walk from Cronulla station. Exit on the left hand side of the station (from the train to Cronulla), exit the station and turn left. About 20m down the road is an underpass with a sign marked 'ferry'.
Website: www.cronullaferries.com.au

Wattamolla is a popular spot to picnic or have a swim in the lagoon. There are flushable toilets (a rarity in the park) as well as a waterfall and inlet for swimming.

Leave a Comment

This is the area of the Dharawal Aboriginal Community, who used the land from Botany Bay to Jervis Bay. There are Aboriginal rock engravings along the Jibbon Healdand track.

Leave a Comment

At Burning Palms beach, on the Palm Jungle Trail, there is a lot of amazing sandstone walls which have been weathered away by the sea over hundreds of years to create an ecclectic mix of smooth and jaggered sandstone. I loved this place- just on the Northern side of Burning Plams beach.

Leave a Comment

The Otford lookout is the starting point for the Jungle Palm Trail and the finishing point for the southward-bound 2 day Coastal Walk (if you are doing the walk northward then this is the start). It offers views of the South Coast's shores stretching down to Wollongong (The South Coast's biggest city) in the faint distance. It is a nice place to stop and stretch the legs if you are driving, but i get excited as this point represents my entry point into the beautiful Royal National Park.

Leave a Comment

Along the Coastal Track part of the Palm Jungle trail are many fantastaic vantage points- rocky outlooks over the coast and sea. Great spots to sit for refreshment and dangle your feet...just be careful.

Leave a Comment

The Palm Jungle and Coastal Track take you through some grass lands. Wear pants as you can get scratched by plants.

Leave a Comment