There’s a point along the road to Bundeena where the city skyline disappears from view and all you can see as you drop into the valley of the Royal National Park is sea, trees and sky. It’s the kind of view that fast-tracks you straight into holiday mode – slows your heart rate and reminds you how important it is to get outside.
On the banks of Port Hacking in a quiet, sun-drenched corner of the Royal National Park, Bundeena is a village steeped in holiday energy. Wide, leafy streets are shaded by towering gum trees, coastal paths trace the coastline and the ocean sparkles on the shores of pristine, unspoiled beaches.
An old-school RSL serves huge, hearty meals and affordable schooners with views across the water, and the gardens of holiday homes drop straight down to the river for magical morning swims.
Believe it or not, this quaint, sleepy village falls within the Greater Sydney area, and though the drive from the CBD takes just over an hour, this is a place that feels worlds away from the buzz of city life.
Where is Bundeena?
On the traditional lands of the Dharawal people on the banks of Port Hacking, you'll find Bundeena on the very edge of the Royal National Park, opposite Cronulla in Sydney’s south.
How do you get to Bundeena from Sydney?
From Sydney CBD, drive south along the Princes Highway, entering the Royal National Park and following signs to Bundeena (the journey by car takes around one hour and fifteen minutes). If you don’t have access to a car, you can take the train to Cronulla, then hop on the Bundeena ferry – which will take you across Port Hacking in about 20 minutes.
What to do in Bundeena
One of the main drawcards here is the hiking potential, with some of the Royal National Park’s most beloved trails right on Bundeena’s doorstep. Our top picks include the 7-kilometre coastal trail from Bundeena to Wedding Cake Rock, and the Jibbon Beach Loop, which follows leafy bushland paths past ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Visit Bundeena on the last Sunday of the month, and you can get your art fix at the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail, which showcases works from local artists.
Best beaches in Bundeena
In the heart of the village, Bundeena Beach is the most popular, but walk for five to ten minutes and you’ll find totally secluded coves and stunning stretches of sand. Curving in a gentle arc on the northern edge of the village, Jibbon Beach is a dreamlike sandy idyll framed by National Parkland. Follow the coast path from here, and you’ll find a smattering of smaller coves (including a hidden nudist beach with crystal-clear waters).
Where to eat in Bundeena
The small but perfectly formed village is home to all of the holiday town essentials: café, pub/club, fish and chip shop and a gelato factory serving sweet, fresh scoops. The fish and chip shop (Vinegar and Brown Paper) is a local favourite steps away from the beach, and the Bundeena Community and Services Club (Bundeena CSC) is a perfect pit-stop for a hearty post-hike feed.
There’s also a large IGA in the centre of the village, which means you don’t have to drive far to stock up on supplies if you’re staying around for a weekender.
Best places to stay in Bundeena
Standing in quiet splendour in a leafy corner of the village is Simpson Cottage, a strong contender for the most beautiful house in the Greater Sydney area. Dating back to the 1860s, the historic house has been lovingly restored by creative visionary and “Chief Escape Officer” Tara Larnach, whose discerning eye has been turned to everything from the plush Turkish towels to the handmade ceramics and bespoke blends of loose-leaf tea. Tara first fell in love with the house when she holidayed there in 2009, and it’s one of the great justices of the world that such a historic home is in the hands of someone so dedicated to facilitating beauty – with every corner of Simpson Cottage tended to with careful attention. Inside the sandstone walls, rooms are perfectly adorned with vintage furniture and treasured antiques. And though the house is a masterpiece of curation, the crowning glory of Simpson Cottage (in my opinion) is the heavy wooden table that sits beneath a string of festoon lights at the bottom of the garden. From here, rocky steps fall down to the river that sparkles relentlessly in the background – beckoning you for a post-dessert dip. I’ve celebrated two birthdays around this table, but even the most ordinary Sunday evening spent here is beyond special. Sold? You can book a stay here, and you can browse other rental options in the area via Airbnb. On a budget? Bonnie Vale campground is a great option, right on the banks of the river.
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