Best trails in Royal National Park
Royal National Park is located on the lands of the Tharawal people in Sutherland Shire of New South Wales. It is the second oldest national park in the world (after Yellowstone in the USA) and is, as such, part of the Australian National Heritage List. The landscapes throughout Royal National Park consist of beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise waters that are surrounded by coastal bush forests. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including over 200 bird species. It is a great place to hike, swim, visit ancient Aboriginal sites, and watch wildlife without needing to travel too far out of Sydney. If you're here between May and October, you'll likely spot whales on their migrating journey, so keep your eyes peeled!
Top trails
Visitor info
Royal National Park charges a fee to enter.
Trail reviews for Royal National Park
If you’re looking for an easy and enjoyable bushwalk, the Forest Path in Royal National Park is a fantastic choice. The trail is well maintained, making it perfect for families and especially suitable for kids. The walk itself is mostly flat and shaded, winding through beautiful, lush forest. The scenery is genuinely picturesque, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One tip: try to arrive early. The parking area can get quite busy, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Overall, the Forest Path is a great option for anyone after a relaxing, scenic walk that’s accessible for all ages. Highly recommended!
The Palm Jungle Loop Track in Royal National Park offers a truly scenic hiking experience that's also conveniently accessible. Paid parking is available, making it easy to get to the trailhead and start your adventure. A strong recommendation is to tackle the loop in a clockwise direction. This allows you to conquer the very steep section early on, leaving a more gradual and enjoyable walk for the remainder of the track. Trust me, getting that initial climb out of the way makes a big difference! Overall, the trail is incredibly picturesque, winding through lush palm forests and offering beautiful views. However, it's worth noting that some sections could benefit from a little maintenance as they are currently a bit overgrown. Despite this minor issue, the natural beauty of the Palm Jungle Loop makes it a worthwhile hike.
Well maintained trail. Really fun hike through different ecosystems. Loads of wildlife and interesting plants to see. Like others have mentioned, definitely wear proper shoes, bring enough water, and check tide levels on royal national parks website. Last turn and hike along the coast is mostly rocky so be prepared to hop over stones but worth the effort. Views were amazing even on a cloudy day!
For those who rely on public transport remember that there’s a charge for ferry from Cronulla wharf to Bundeena wharf . $9 one way so $18 return (Opal cards are not accepted). Toilets available at Bundeena Wharf. There’s a 1.6 km walk to reach the Royal national park trail which takes around 25 min walk. Water and toilets available only at the start of trail. Trail is a mix of paved and unpaved terrain but fairly easy both ways . Beautiful scenic views.
When it gets really busy in Royal National Park , try this trail . Easy , stunning views and two beaches. Shelley beach is not for swimming , Jibbon beach is . Sandy start to the trek should not dissuade you , many beautiful spots, birds provide good company .
I am a fan of hiking and camping utilising public transport. This is a perfect little overnighter and so close to the heart of Sydney - but in Royal National Park you wouldn't know it (apart from the occasional airplane overhead). I wish I had gone after a bit of a rainfall as Uloola Falls was a little less than her brilliant self. It's great to have ample restrooms facilities along this path - from Waterfall to Loftus Station included you have 6! Plus you can get safe water from a few of them. The walk from Uloola to Wattle Forest Picnic Area was unpopulated - I only passed by 3 folks. And Wattle Forest itself is not as busy as Audley - so very nice. Super special to see an echidna up close - for a full 10 minutes while dining on ants and then he crawled underneath me when a cyclists surprised us. Super special. Won't be forgetting this.