Royal National Park is inland from the eastern coastline of Australia, just south of Sydney. It’s the oldest national park in Australis, and the third oldest national park in the world (after Bogd Khan Uul in Mongolia, established in 1783, and Yellowstone in the US, established in 1872). The park is characterised by coastal cliffs, secluded beaches and eucalyptus-rich bushland.
A significant, signposted Aboriginal engraving site in the Royal National Park, the Jibbon Head Engravings are a short walk from Bundeena. The carvings can be seen from an elevated boardwalk with interpretive signage.
A beautiful waterfall and secluded waterhole, Curracurrang Falls is hidden away a short distance from the Royal National Coast Track near Wattamolla.
A guide to the best bushwalks, swimming spots and waterfalls of the Royal National Park, in Sydney’s south. Also covers the many picnic areas and campsites of the park.,
Like the equally remote Burning Palms Beach, South Era Beach has a Surf Life Savng Club and is patrolled on weekends. It’s surrounded by Depression-era shacks.
North Era Beach is a fairly picturesque beach, but care is needed if swimming due to permanent rips. The only campground along the Coast Track is located here.
Wattamolla Beach has both a protected ocean beach and a sheltered lagoon, as well as picnic facilities and gas BBQs. This makes it a very popular family-friendly destination in the Royal National Park.
One of the largest beaches in Royal National Park, Marley Beach is also one of the most dangerous for swimming due to permanent rips. Behind the beach is an extensive system of sand dunes and a lagoon.
A relatively small beach, Little Marley Beach is protected by a low sandstone head and reef but still has a permanent rip. It’s suitable for surfing, fishing and swimming (with care).
Olympic Pool is a secluded and spectacular swimming hole on Kangaroo Creek in the Royal National park (downstream of Karloo Pool).
Karloo Pool is a pristine and beautiful deep swimming hole along Kangaroo Creek in the Royal National park. It is most easily accessed by a bushwalk from Heathcote station.