Royal National Park
Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW
Photograph: Supplied | Destination NSW

Royal National Park Sydney: Your Ultimate Guide

Visit this little piece of paradise situated just outside of the city

Written by: Winnie Stubbs
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Sydney's Royal National Park is less than an hour's drive from the CBD, yet so many Sydneysiders haven't stepped foot in the pristine 15,091 hectares of bushland that lines the coast south of the city. Whether you want to swim, trek, picnic, bike ride, or just GTFO of Sydney for the day, the Royal National Park will provide an adventure-filled day out.

For details on where to find parking and what facilities the park has, visit the NSW National Parks website.

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RECOMMENDED: Check out these other beautiful national parks within 100km of the city.

Things to do at Sydney's Royal National Park

Get the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena

While driving is the easiest way to access the park, the ferry from Cronulla is much more picturesque and endearing. A single ferry motors back and forth between Cronulla and Bundeena, departing on the hour. Once you're at Cronulla Station, walk towards the marina. You'll see a small pier – it doesn't look like your typical transport hub. Keep your eye out for the wooden yellow and green boat and pay for your ticket on board using your credit or debit card (Opal cards aren't accepted). Sit back and you'll be in Bundeena in just over 20 minutes. if you want to make a weekend of it, book a stay at this historic cottage on the banks of Bundeena Creek.

Venture along the cliffs

The full Coast Track walk is 26 kilometres and takes two days – but you can explore small portions to get a taste. Starting at Bundeena and walking to Little Marley Beach is a great option. It's easy enough for inexperienced bushwalkers, but still offers beautiful vantage points, a mixed bag of terrains, and plenty of happy snap ops. The route navigates the coastline, taking you over sandy red soil, through scrubby bushland, and along the sandstone cliffs. Make sure you take plenty of water. We'd highly recommend packing your own picnic, too. Please note: The Coast Track between Garie and Little Garie are closed at the moment due to erosion. Check here for the latest updates.

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Float at Wattamolla

This lagoon is a top spot for picnicking, swimming or bringing that oversized inflatable to lay about in the water. It's popular with day trippers – and unfortunately in recent times it has become a bit of a dumping ground – so make sure you follow the 'leave no trace behind' ethos and take all your rubbish with you and respect the beautiful spot. Or, even better, help clean up after less considerate visitors too.

Admire Wedding Cake Rock (but don't climb on it)

This slice of Sydney coastline is one of the most Instagrammed spots in the region – its angled edge and white colouring makes it a dramatic feature of the coastal walk. It may not be around forever though – it's eroding and isn't stable enough to handle constant weight, so you're no longer allowed to step on its pristine surface.

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Surf Garie Beach

This beach break rolls out solid left and right waves. The north corner has good banks most of the time but you'll find it pretty crowded on weekends. Instead, stroll ten minutes south across the rocks, where you'll find an ace left point break. If you're lucky you may bump into one of the local friendly seals, who are known to playfully mount surfer's boards while in the line-up.

Relax on Marley Beach

This secluded beach has rock pools, a fresh water stream (which leads to the Marley Lagoon) and crashing waves. Make this a pitstop or final destination on your hike from Bundeena, and explore the impressive sand dunes. The beach isn't patrolled, so be extra careful while swimming or avoid the water if you're not a confident merperson.

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Chase the Curracurrong Falls

Ignore TLC and go chasing waterfalls – the walk from Wattamolla to Curracurrong Falls is a scenic but slightly difficult hike. The creek splits into two streams, each flowing off into the ocean straight over the edge of the sandstone cliff – you can see a long horsetail display as it flows into the sea below.

Discover a leafy retreat on the Forest Walk

While the Royal National Park boasts some bracing coastal treks, this gentler walk through sun-dappled foliage has quiet charms all of its own. The 4.4km loop takes around an hour to cover and the largely flat terrain makes it easily manageable by the less mobile and kids alike. Surrounded by towering eucalyptus and casuarinas, the waters of Hacking River close by, cabbage tree palms and Gymea lilies (which flower in winter) lining the path – this is one of the most sublimely calming spots you can find.

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Visit the Figure Eight Rock Pools (with extreme caution)

These beautifully formed rock pools attract a frenzy of people over summer, but on a bad day, they've seen more than 50 people injured trying to reach the sparkling waters. If you are going to go, be smart – check the tides and swells and don't risk it if it's not safe. You can only access them at low tide when the swell is small. You can learn more about this very Instagrammable natural wonders over here.

Paddle along the the Hacking River

Make your way to the Park's nerve centre Audley, once the heart of the park's Victorian 'pleasure gardens'. Here you'll find the main visitor centre, spacious lawns, an old-fashioned dance hall, and a causeway. You can hire a canoe or rowing boat from the Audley Boatshed and head upstream to picnic spots at Ironbark Flat or Wattle Forest.

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