Top Things to do in Royal National Park
The 10 Best Things to do in Royal National Park, New South Wales
Discover the best top things to do in Royal National Park, Australia including Werrong Beach, Coast Walk, Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Curra Moors Track, Karloo Pools, Dharawal Aboriginal Engravings Site, Figure 8 Pools, Garie Beach, Wedding Cake Rock, Providential Point Lookout.
1. Werrong Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By AndyXjian - Sydney, Australia
Hidden jewel of the Royal National Park. Train to Otford and walk the short distance to Otford Lookout and enjoy the magnificent view towards Wollongong. If you drive, park along the road. The trailhead starts at the Lookout, then branches off to the right at about 250 meters into the forest. Follow the signs to ‘Werrong Beach’. You descend through beautiful forest; not hard if you have minimal fitness. Soon all noise of the modern world fades behind you and you are with pure nature. Arriving out on the beach is a thrill. Experience the carefreeness of being nude, as most people do. There is enough space to be alone, or if you like people, go where others are enjoying tanning themselves naked without shame. Besides the sand, there are nice grassy areas to lay on. Return any friendly smiles, slip off your clothes, slap on your sun block, and do your own thing, whatever you want, as long as you don’t bother others. You are safe and welcome, single men, women, romantic couples, and old timers who sit yapping to each other. Great friendships can happen when nude and carefree in such a lovely place. Or just sleep and dream in your own world to the sound of the waves. There are some warm rock pools when the tide goes out on a hot summer afternoon. Bring food and plenty of water as there is no shop at all, no entrance fee, no opening/closing times. Please leave it as you find it by taking out any trash. Very highly recommended!
2. Coast Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By alisonrT3109OM - Melbourne, Australia
We walked from the Otford lookout carpark north to Burning Palms Beach and then south along the beach to the Figure Eight Pools. It was a fairly warm early summer's day, and the forest part of the walk was wonderfully shady. Most of the beach stretch involved picking one's way across rocks... which was fun and challenging. Not much in the way of bird life, but I did see a water dragon and a tree dragon as well as a tiny black skink.
3. Royal National Park Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By KCDawsey - Denham Springs, United States
The Royal National Park was one of my favorite stops while we were in Sydney! While at the visitor center we were greeted by a flock of wild cockatoos! This has to be one of the highlights of my trip to Australia! The park was beautiful as well. We hiked to a waterfall and walked up to a cliff top view to try to see some whales. Everything was just beautiful!
4. Curra Moors Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By DaughteroftheWind - Placitas, United States
The hike through scrub is well worth the payoff at the coast -- especially in early/mid October, when the wildflowers are in bloom.
5. Karloo Pools
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By mrdom
One large and beautifully clear waterhole and plenty of smaller shallower ones as the river slowly cascades down. Very popular even on a weekday, with one person actually swimming in the cold September water. The walk down is nice, lots of rocky steps and some boggy areas even without heavy rain, but fairly easy (under 40 minutes down if you hustle, longer back uphill) and one good bush lookout spot just before the descent.
6. Dharawal Aboriginal Engravings Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 23 reviews
At Jibbon Head/Point in the Royal National Park, which is at the end of a one-kilometre beach track from Bundeena, there is a good example of rock engravings that is accessible for public to view. The carvings are on a large sandstone platform and depict killer whales, stingrays, turtles, kangaroos and a well-endowed lawgiver, long ago carved by the Dharawal people of the area.
Reviewed By DASydney
It's worth the trek to the other side of Jibbon Beach at Bundeena to se first hand these ancient carvings. Very well-worn, the council has wisely stopped people from walking on the rocks. Now you can only see them from a viewing deck. The carvings are thousands of years old - a very rare thing in Sydney.
7. Figure 8 Pools
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 74 reviews
Figure Eight Pools is located on a dangerous rock platform in Royal National Park. Before you visit, check the weather, tides and swell (wave size). Only visit during low tide, on a day with low swell. Allow 2 hours for the walk from your car to the rock platform, and 2 hours to return. The 6km walk is steep, slippery and difficult. There are no facilities here; no water, no toilets, no food outlets and no rubbish bins. There's no mobile phone reception either. The Figure Eight Pools rock platform is hazardous and many people have been injured here. Call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
Reviewed By katerinakU2731NC - Prague, Czech Republic
the way is much more than the place itself. the place is beautiful, but there is (probably all the time) a lot of people... but the way is incredibly great... a little difficult terrain, about one hour and half from the parking, up and down, partly along the beach, partly on the giant stones... breathtaking views... you must have enough water and good shoes... and you need to check tide forecast - it is absolutely necessary... you have to plan your trip at the time of low tide!!! beautiful! must see!!!
8. Garie Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By KarenJames828 - Wollongong, Australia
Beautiful drive through the National park, lovely places to picnic Along the way. Great amenities including clean toilets and showers and a small kiosk. Great place to picnic and swim amd for those that love to fish, plenty of places Ali g the beach.
9. Wedding Cake Rock
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Ken2234 - Sydney, Australia
Even during these Covid times, a walk to Wedding Cake Rock is still a popular activity. For those on public transport, the train to Cronulla station is not too crowded (2 of us had half a carriage in which to social Distance) and the ferry to Bundeena is a bargain at $7 each way. A well signposted walk from the ferry to the coast and the journey begins. During the week, the pathway is relatively busy, so I imagine the weekends would still be a busy time. During this time of year, there is the chance of seeing whales along the coast.
10. Providential Point Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
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