Top 9 Things To Do @ The Royal National Park, Sydney

Photo Credit: Andy Richards/NSW Government

Top 9 Things To Do At The Royal National Park

Royal National Park is a national park in New South Wales, Australia, 29 km south of Sydney CBD. Located at Audley, just 32km from Sydney city, the park offers incredible beauty and natural diversity just minutes from the highway and train station.

The Royal National Park is the world's second oldest purposed national park (after Yellowstone in the United States), and the first to use the term "national park".

In this natural haven, open ocean, sandstone cliffs and wetlands meet grassy woodland, rainforests, coastal heathland and eucalypt forests. You will also find some significant geological sites, including fascinating beach ridges at Cabbage Tree Basin.

1. Bushwalking and Hiking

The perfect escape for hikers, beginners or those who enjoy a scenic but challenging walk, you can't go past bush walking throughout the Royal National Park. There are numerous walking trails, for walkers of different levels and of different landscapes throughout the park. Over 100 kilometres of walking tracks take in a wide range of scenery - from forests to valleys to beaches - so you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to taking photos.

The most popular walk is the Coast Walk, which wraps around the park's eastern edge and delivers breath taking coastal scenery. It is a 30 kilometre track, beginning from Bundeena to Otford, or vice versa. It's recommended that walkers allow 2 days for the walk.

Coast Walk

Photo Credit: http://www.cronullabeachyha.com

2. Boating and Canoeing

The park offers two different landscapes for boating - the river system or along the coast line. Towra Beach is an area of protected wetlands, sand flats and seagrass that can only be reached by boat or paddling. A tranquil beach that's great for padding and exploring, so pack a picnic or build a sandcastle by its calm waters. Any visitors will mostly be of the winged kind; rare migrating birds wade the coastline. To reach Towra Beach, you'll need to bring your own canoes or kayaks.

If you’d like to go on a boating or paddling adventure inside the park, you can launch your canoe or kayak from the nearby boat ramp at Fitzpatrick Park.

Inside the park resides the Hacking River which offers affordable boat and canoe hire for a fun filled day out to explore the river system. Boat and canoe hire at the Audley Boat Hire starts at AUD$20 for 1 hour hire to $40 for a day hire. At the end of the river is a beautiful waterfall and rock beds - great place to rest and relax.

Audley Boat Hire (inside Royal National Park): http://www.audleyboatshed.com/index.html

Hacking River

Photo Credit: http://blog.thinadoukasphoto.com

3. Picnics and BBQs

When you’re pining for the feel of sand between your toes, take the family and head to Wattamolla Beach picnic area. With loads of options to keep everyone happy, this is a popular place to base yourself while you’re exploring the park. Unpack a picnic under the shade of the cabbage tree palms and do some serious unwinding, or have a delicious barbeque.

Cabbage Tree Basin is a great place for relaxing and to have picnics. The area even offers gas barbecues so you can cook up a feast.

If you’re looking to escape the city for a relaxing day near the river, head to picturesque Reids Flat picnic area. When it’s time for lunch, spark up a free gas barbecue and cook up a feast, then enjoy it on a rug or one of the nearby picnic tables.

Fitzpatrick Park is another excellent place for picnics and barbeques. Let the kids to kick a ball or throw a frisbee to work up an appetite. After a tasty picnic or barbecue lunch, relax on your picnic rug, take in some sunshine or set off on an exploration of the park.

Wattamolla Beach

Photo Credit: NSW Government

4. Cycling

Lady Carrington Drive is an easy bike trail that follows the Hacking River upstream from Audley. Cycling over 15 creeks, each identified by its Aboriginal name, you’ll pass blue gums, turpentines and patches of rainforest. Keep your ear out for the mimicking call of the lyrebird and your eyes peeled for lace monitors and echidnas.

Loftus loop trail is a 10km trail that is bound to get your heart rate up. You’ll cover 8km of trail, along with 2km of designated bike track. Terrain changes from flat, wide trails to steep, single-track trails that can be a little rocky under your tyres. There are some steep sections around Temptation Creek, so it’s best to walk these if you’re an inexperienced rider. This diverse terrain makes Loftus loop trail one of Royal National Park’s most enjoyable cycling trails.

Lady Carrington Drive

Photo Credit: David Finnegan/NSW Government

5. Swimming, Surfing and Snrokelling

Wattamolla Beach lagoon offers safe and enjoyable calm waters for snorkelling, swimming and liloing for the whole family. After enjoying a barbecue lunch, go for a walk along one of the beach tracks, with a prize for the first to see a sea eagle or oystercatcher.

Wattle Forest picnic area offers a beautifully scenic place for a swim for the family. You could be tempted to while away a lazy afternoon in the shade by the river, serenaded by the cockatoos and currawongs, or join the kids for some swimming.

Garie Beach picnic area is the spot for swimming and surfing the waves in the warmer months. It’s an ideal spot for birdwatching, so bring the binoculars for a chance to glimpse an albatross, sea eagle, and the rarer peregrine falcon as they cruise on the updraft from coastal breezes. Please note, Garie Beach does not have lifeguards on duty.

Garie Beach

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

6. Beaches

If you want a day at the beach, the Royal National park offers an array of beaches to choose from.

Jibbon Beach - offers scenic grounds, Aboriginal tours, fishing and swimming areas.
Garie Beach - ideal for swimming, fishing and picnics on this gorgeous and family-friendly beach.
Wattamolla Beach - a calm lagoon and sheltered cove with a sandy bar at the inlet, perfect for snorkelling.
Werrong Beach - a secluded beach paradise for nudists.

Wattamolla Beach

Photo Credit: Andy Richards/NSW Government

7. Jet-skiing

Morgans Creek picnic area is a riverside picnic area in Georges River National Park. It’s large and grassy, so an excellent choice for families with children who like lots of space to roam. Popular with anyone who likes to play on the river, you’ll find waterskiers and jetskiers as well as boaters and fishermen out enjoying the water. A dual width boat ramp and easy access from the carpark means you will be out on the water in no time. So take your jet ski down for an awesome ride.

Morgans Creek

Photo Credit: Andy Richards/NSW Government

8. Fishing

Fitzpatrick Park is just the place for a spot of family fishing – cast a line to try your hand at catching a luderick, mullet or mulloway. For beach fishing, you can't go past Wattamolla Beach for a spot of fishing. Jibbon Beach also offers a fantastic spot for fishing on the sands. Reids Flat picnic area provides a calm area for fishing.

Reids Flat

Photo Credit: Andy Richards/NSW Government

9. Whale Watching

Head to Garie Beach for a spot of whale watching in the winter. Every year, humpback whales and southern right whales migrate along the NSW coastline. They head north throughout June and in the first week of July, and return southwards from around September to November. If you're unsure of when to go to spot them, try a walking tour. Sydney Coast Walks (formerly known as Royal Coast Walks) provides expertly guided half day, full day and overnight walking and hiking adventures through Royal National Parks, enabling guests to reconnect with nature and experience the wonder of whale watching.

Sydney Coast Walks: http://www.sydneycoastwalks.com.au/

Whale Watching Sydney

Photo Credit: NSW Government

Accommodation

Looking for suitable accommodation near the Royal National Park? Then look no further than the
Metro Hotel Miranda, strictly non-smoking, conveniently located in the Sutherland area and only a 10 minute drive to the Royal National Park. Situated in the premier corner position, our hotel suites have kitchenettes and magnificent views over Sydney city. The hotel is located across from Westfield Miranda and cafes and shops. Sutherland Hospital is only a 3 minute drive away from the hotel. For those coming by public transport, the hotel is only 5 minutes walk from Miranda train station.

Metro Hotel Miranda is the only hotel near Cronulla which does not impose minimum night stays.

Location: Cnr Kingsway and Jackson Ave, Miranda NSW 2228 Australia
Book Metro Hotel Miranda Online: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/sydney-hotels/metro-hotel-miranda-11
Metro Miranda Special: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/308