Best trails in Royal National Park

4.3(20,817 reviews)

Australia
:
#12 of 637 national parks

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

#1 - Wattamolla to Eagle Rock

The Wattamolla to Eagle Rock Trail offers a scenic slice of the iconic Coast Track in Royal National Park, featuring breathtaking ocean views and rugged coastal landscapes. Part of the route traverses a raised boardwalk that hugs the shoreline, perfect for spotting native flora and fauna. Access the trailhead near Wattamolla car park's upper section off Wattamolla Road, or via the rocky outcrop near Wattamolla Beach Lookout. Keep in mind the area lacks public transport, so plan your journey...

#2 - Heathcote Station to Karloo Pools

4.6(1025)

•Moderate

•3.3 mi

This is a great family friendly walk in Royal National Park. The trail features a relatively easy start along the Bottle Brush Trail and then a rocky descent down to Karloo walking track and the swimming holes of Karloo rock pools. It can be a hard trek back up on the way back to Heathcote train station with a few uneven and rocky sections, so appropriate footwear is required. This trail is very easy to get to with public transport and parking is also available close to the train station....

Be advised that the pool is only accessible at low tide. Do not attempt at mid to high tide or when there are bigger waves. Check the tides as you plan your trip to the rock pools. This is a relatively short walk to a very popular natural rock formation in the Royal National Park. This is the shortest route to the pool, starting at Garrawarra Farm car park just off of Garie Road. The Burgh Ridge track descends fairly steeply to Burning Palms beach, where there is a small collection of...

#4 - Bundeena to Wedding Cake Lookout

This is a terrific walk in Royal National Park, taking you to Wedding Cake Rock. The rock is situated on the challenging Coast Track and is a famous and delicate rock formation. The rock's distinctive shape, resembling a slice of cake, can be seen perched above the crashing waves due to its sharp edges and deep cracks. The rock's pure white colour contrasts with the harder sandstone of the coastal cliffs.

#5 - Bundeena to Big Marley and Little Marley Beaches

#6 - Curra Moors Loop Track

The Curra Moors Loop Track is a nice walk through the south eastern corner of the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, NSW. Parking is available at the trailhead, just off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. The walk features a nice variety in terrain, the landscape transitions from temperate rainforest to heathlands and eventually coasts plus a great diversity of native flowers. The trail starts off more rugged before you get to several kilometres of boardwalk along the coastal section. It's often...

#7 - Curracurrang Falls

This is a great short walk found just by the carpark and picnic area of Wattamolla Beach. This route loops around the bushland taking in the rugged coastline with fantastic views of the Pacific ocean. Leading you along the coastline you'll come across the Curracurrang Gully where you'll find a small waterfall if it has rained recently. This route of course gives stunning views of the ocean and during the colder months is an amazing spot to view whales migrating up the coastline.

#8 - Palm Jungle Loop Track

4.7(540)

•Hard

•6.7 mi

WARNING: the rock platform and rock pools are only accessible depending on the tide and waves; the rule of thumb is to time it for low tide. Do not attempt at mid to high tide or when there are bigger surf conditions. Check the forecast before planning the walk: tides.willyweather.com.au/nsw/sydney/burning-palms-beach.html This is a challenging yet spectacular walk on the southern tip of the Royal National Park, about halfway between the center of Sydney and Wollongong, NSW. The trail begins...

#9 - Karloo Track and Bottle Forest Trail Loop

This enjoyable track explores the bushland near Heathcote train station, from where the trail conveniently begins and ends. There are wildflowers and interesting rock formations along the way. Lots of variations in the track, and the possibility of a dip in the pool on a hot day. This trail starts from outside the park so the entry fee does not apply as you enter on foot. There is a campsite at Uloola falls if you're looking for an overnight adventure. Booking and registration is required.

#10 - Karloo Walking Track

Karloo Walking Track is a jam packed adventure located just a short drive or train ride from Sydney. The trail begins from Heathcote station and leads out to the scenic Uloola Falls in the north-west section of Royal National Park. Along the way, you'll pass through heathland and the popular swimming and picnic spot called Karloo Pool. There are several fascinating rock outcrops to explore along the way as well. Uloola Falls is the turn around point of the track, where you can relax beside...

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Open 7 days a week

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Fee required

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Royal National Park charges a fee to enter.

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Top Picks in Royal National Park

8 trails

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Trail reviews for Royal National Park

21,866 trailgoers Busiest in September

Vivien Fleming

Oct 5, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

A nice quick hike from the Royal National Park tram stop to the Bungoona Lookout. Featuring fabulous views down to the Hacking River below, the path is paved. On the way back I chose to take the unsealed fire trail for a slightly different view. Should you not wish to pay entry to the Tramway Museum at Loftus, you can just pay for the tram from Loftus to RNP return.

Conditions: Bugs, Pollen, Wildflowers, Dry ground, Well maintained

Bungoona Lookout and Path

Elena Arena

Sep 6, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditions

I started my walk at Loftus train station and finished at Waterfall train station (24.5km 640e.g.). The trail is not hard at all, just long. If you get there by train you have to cross the highway to get into the park. If you drive I suggest parking at the Loftus Oval for a safer entrance. Parking inside the Royal National Park is not free. From Loftus station to the Oval the trail seems to be for bikes only. From the Oval it gets wide and safe to walk. The honeymoon track has steps down to the Hacking River. Ironbark Flat picnic area has all sorts of facilities, including a cafe. Lady Carrington Drive is a quite flat and wide trail next to the river (you cannot see much of it though) with a few picnic tables along the way. The sign for the Limestone Cave leads to a small waterfall and a cool cave (800m one way). To get from the Forest Path to Couranga track you have to cross *into* the Hacking River. The big rocks are slippery so I walked inside up to my knees. Iced but refreshing water. All the tracks are incredibly easy to follow, only on the Couranga track there is a fallen tree that got me lost but I easily found the way back on trail with the app. Download your map because there is no signal at all in the park. Toilets available at the Royal National Park Office (former Royal NP station) and at the Visitor Centre (Hacking river). Toilets at Loftus train station and Loftus Oval were locked (9am, on a Sunday).

Parking: Paid, Large lot

Loftus to Waterfall via Hacking River

William Tapia

Jun 8, 2025•Hiking

Great conditionsGreat views

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!

Parking: Paid, Small lot

Forest Path

William Tapia

Apr 27, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

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.

Parking: Paid

Palm Jungle Loop Track

Angellet Soh

Apr 9, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

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!

Difficulty: Moderate

Otford to Figure Eight Pools

Amit Mahajan

Mar 2, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

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.

Difficulty: Easy

Bundeena to Big Marley and Little Marley Beaches

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Royal National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Royal National Park is Wattamolla to Eagle Rock, which has a 4.8 star rating from 1,343 reviews. This trail is 5.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,102 ft.

What is the longest trail in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Royal National Park is Coastal Walk: Wollongong to Bundeena. This trail is estimated to be 27.8 mi long.

How many trails are in Royal National Park?

There are 146 trails in Royal National Park. These trails have an average 4.3-star rating from 20,817 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Royal National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Royal National Park has you covered. Coastal Walk: Wollongong to Bundeena boasts the most elevation gain with 4,609 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Royal National Park: The Coast Track (North to South), which will get you 3,389 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 18 camping trails in Royal National Park and the most popular is Karloo Track and Bottle Forest Trail Loop with an average 4.6 star rating from 516 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 71 running trails in Royal National Park and the most popular is Bundeena to Big Marley and Little Marley Beaches with an average 4.8 star rating from 561 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Royal National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 15 biking trails in Royal National Park and the most popular is Loftus Loop Trail with an average 4.4 star rating from 364 community reviews.