5 things to do in Royal National Park Sydney

A national park that’s been blessed by the Queen; the Royal National Park, found one hour south of Sydney, is something special.

About to celebrate its 140^th birthday, Royal National Park is Sydney’s oldest national park and the second oldest national park in the world. So it makes sense that it’s a Narnia of outdoor adventure, with surf beaches, walking tracks, idyllic swimming holes, picnic spots and camping grounds.

But, spanning 160 square kilometres, where on earth do you start? Here’s a hint:

1. Take 1000+ photos at Figure Eight Pools

Did you even go to Royal National Park if you didn’t take an Instagram pic floating in the Figure Eight Pools? The work of fairies, this natural wonder – a rock pool shaped in a perfect eight – is quite pretty and a right social media draw. But, be warned, it’s not the easiest place to visit and is an #instafail waiting to happen.

Firstly, it’s a somewhat challenging three-kilometre walk from the nearest carpark – Garrawarra Farm – that involves a rocky trek down a coastal escarpment, a jaunt along the Coast Track and the passing of Burning Palms Beach. 45 minutes later, you finally arrive at Figure Eight Pools.

Secondly, you need to check the weather conditions, wave height and tide times. Rogue waves are known to crash over the rocky ledge, fill up the pools and wash people off their feet, causing all kinds of injuries. Certainly not the idyllic scene you see splashed across social media…

Of course, the day we visited we didn’t check any of this and the waves were like a violent drunk – unpredictable and dangerous. I definitely ran for my life at several points, legs shaking like a magnitude six earthquake.

2. Visit Wattamolla Lagoon and Beach

With its calm lagoon waters, hypnotic waterfall, picnic area, coastal lookout and beach, Wattamolla is a special spot in the world and pretty darn beautiful. There’s also a car park, making it an easy spot to visit. No three-kilometre hike involved with this one.

3. Walk the Coast Track

The Royal National Park’s Coast Track is 26 kilometres and takes two days to complete. Sounds serious, because it is. But, if you’re not up for an epic adventure, you can do it in chunks – on separate days.

The Coast Track starts at Bundeena and travels all the way down to Otford, with the highlight reel including unbelievable coastal lookouts, wildflowers, whale watching (between May and October) and swimming spots.

We did the Garie Beach to Figure Eight Pools section and it was probably one of the most challenging walks I’ve done in a long time. Hills and I, we’re just not friends. And, this six-kilometre stretch of track involves tackling some seriously hilly terrain. It’s also probably not a great idea to drink a bottle of rosé the night before you tackle this one.

4. Go surfing at Garie Beach

I’ve thrown this one in here because, of course, the reason we were at Garie Beach in the first place was because my surf-chasing husband led us here.

Considered the best surf spot in Royal National Park, Garie Beach has a high-performing left-handed beach break (or so I’m told), that’s suitable for intermediate to experienced surfers. There’s also parking (a $12 fee applies throughout the park), café, general amenities and plenty of sand to spread out on – all things that keep this surf widow from filing for divorce.

5. Catch the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena

If you’re after a cute way to get to Royal National Park, this is it. At Cronulla Wharf, you board the vintage green and yellow, cute face boat and take a seat on the wooden bench seats.

The Cronulla to Bundeena ferry takes about 20 minutes, travelling down Gunnamatta Bay and crossing Port Hacking, before docking at Bundeena Wharf. Ferries depart every hour, so don’t be a goose – check a timetable. And you buy tickets on-board ($6.60, adult; $3.30, child and concession).

Once in Bundeena, there’s a couple of options:

1. You can spend the day at Hordern Beach – a wide, sheltered, grassy swimming spot with amenities.
2. You can tackle the Bundeena to Jibbon Head walking track – a 6.8-kilometre circuit that takes in remote beaches, rock lodges, Aboriginal engravings and plenty of ocean views. This one takes about 2.5 hours to complete, which is much friendlier than the two-dayer Coast Track!
3. You can have lunch at Driftwood Café Bundeena. I recommend their chip-loaded baguette.