New South Wales is famous for its shining capital of Sydney, and its endless seashores and bushland, and its refined dining scene. However, associating the symbols with lesser-known attractions, and this east coast state turns into a station deserving of the bucket-list status. Taste wine in more than twelve different wine areas, visit national parks with a lot of waterfalls and incredible rock formations, and set up a tent in campsites on the coast, in the outback or underneath the forest canopy.
One of the best national parks in NSW is Royal National Park which will be our focus in this article. It is a magnificent mixture of calm seashores, headlands and sheer cliffs, brilliant bushwalks and, maybe most broadly, a phenomenal coastal walk from one end of the park to the other which bears lovely, scenic perspectives over the Pacific Ocean.
Here is an overview of campgrounds in Royal National Park:
- North Era Campground
- Uloola Falls Campground
- Kingfisher Pool Campground
- Lake Eckersley Campground
- Mirang Pool Campground
Are you ready to explore and have an unforgettable trip to Royal National Park? Take a read and enjoy!
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How Do I Get to Royal National Park?
Royal National Park is just a short drive from Sydney, which is the capital of New South Wales with about 30 km, and it will only take you an hour to get there. You do not have a choice to travel by plane, so the only option is travelling by car, and you have two routes to choose from.
I recommend you take the M1 and Princes Hwy/A1 because it only takes you 39 mins to arrive and you’ll only have to drive around 35.9 km.
- Get on M1 from Elizabeth St
- Follow M1 and A1 to Farnell Avenue when you reach Loftus
- Follow Farnell Ave and Audley Rd to Sir Bertram Stevens Dr in Royal National Park
What Should I Know About Royal National Park?
The Royal National Park is a national park that can be found in Sutherland Shire in the Australian province of New South Wales, only south of Sydney. The 151-square-kilometre national park is around 29 kilometres south of the Sydney significant business region close to the territories of Loftus, Otford, and Waterfall.
It is the second oldest national park on the planet after Yellowstone, which was built up in the US in 1872. It was established by Sir John Robertson, Acting Premier of New South Wales, and officially declared on 26 April 1879.
Its unique name was simply National Park; however, its name was changed in 1955 after Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia passed by the area while riding a train during her 1954 visit. In December 2006, the Royal National park was added to the Australian National Heritage List.
How Are the Campgrounds in Royal National Park?
North Era campground
Have camping at North Era Campgrounds sitting above North Era Beach in Royal National Park. North Era’s bush campgrounds are mainly meant to be an overnight stop while strolling the Coast Track.
Uloola Falls Campground
In case you’re searching for activities south of Sydney, Uloola Falls campsite is an extraordinary escape offering walking, cycling and camping in Royal National Park. When you arrive, set up a tent just beside the beautiful Uloola Falls and rest under the stars. The only interruption here will be the splash of the waterfalls as it hits the stone pool beneath.
Kingfisher Pool Campground
Explore a portion of Sydney’s most isolated campgrounds at Kingfisher Pool campsite in Heathcote National Park. Just as camping, it is extraordinary for hiking and swimming. The campsite has a limit of 18 campers, making for a calm bush atmosphere.
Lake Eckersley Campground
Explore Lake Eckersley campsite in Sydney’s Heathcote National Park. Just as camping, it is suitable for bushwalking and swimming. This little, essential campsite suits up to six campers. Lake Eckersley campsite is likewise an incredible spot to stop for lunch or a dip while bushwalking.
Mirang Pool Campground
Explore Mirang Pool campsite in Sydney’s Heathcote National Park. Just like campgrounds, you will discover opportunities for hiking and swimming. This little campsite suits up to 12 campers. There are no offices, suggesting you an opportunity for a legitimate and individual experience of the Australian bush.
Do you want to learn more about Royal National Park? Visit their website to learn more.
Where Can I Take Bushwalks in Royal National Park?
Are you searching for an incredible trail in Royal National Park, New South Wales? It has 49 extraordinary trail running paths, mountain biking trails, hiking trails and more. In any case, I will simply suggest these seven trails for you. You should try:
Easy Walks
- A spectacular beachfront walk beginning at Wattamolla leads to Eagle Rock, one of the most iconic tourist spots in the Royal National Park that resembles an eagle’s beak. It is an 8 km loop which takes 3 hours to finish the walk.
- Beginning at the Bundeena ferry wharf, the Jibbon Beach loop track is a scenic beach and bush trail that leads you around Jibbon Head, Port Hacking Point and Shelley Beach. It has a total distance of 5 km (circuit) which takes 1.5 – 2 hours.
- The Winifred Falls trail is a short, yet beautiful bush walk that leads you to a beautiful waterfall on the South West Arm Creek where you can take a dip if weather permits and have a picnic. Also, it has a total distance of 4.4 km (one-way) which takes 2.5 hours.
Moderate Hikes
- Starts at Heathcote train station, Karloo strolling track guides hikers to the beautiful Uloola Falls in the north-western piece of the Royal National Park. The trail is around 10 km (return) long, and it takes 5 hours to complete.
- The trail between Bundeena Drive and Marley Beach, which is also known as the Marley Track, is one that spoils bushwalkers with lookout points, bushland, secluded beaches, creek crossings and freshwater pools. Also, the trail has a total distance of 8 km (return) which takes 3 hours.
- Beginning in Otford in the southern side of the Royal National Park, the Palm Jungle loop track is a challenging circuit trail that would satisfy hiking fans with its monstrous cliff tops, scenic coastal views, secluded beaches and thriving rainforest. You’ll need to walk around 10 km (circuit) in this trail, and it takes 4 hours to complete.
What Are the Other Things That I Can Do in Royal National Park?
This one of the world’s oldest national parks was rewarded with so much natural beauty in one place, from immaculate seashores to a littoral rainforest and old Aboriginal destinations just as bountiful of wildlife. Explore a sanctuary abundant with natural beauty and be appreciative that people have protected it for a long time. Here are the things that you can do in the national park:
- Venture along the cliffs
- Float at Wattamolla
- Admire Wedding Cake Rock (but you’re not allowed to climb on it)
- Surf Garie Beach
- Relax on Marley Beach
- Chase the Curracurrong Falls
- Discover a bushy retreat on the Forest Walk
- Visit the Figure Eight Rock Pools (with extreme caution)
- Paddle along the Hacking River
What Is the Best Time to Visit Royal National Park?
The best ideal opportunity to visit Sydney is whatever time you are available! Sydney has so much remarkable natural beauty. Appreciating a mild atmosphere, every one of the seasons offers convenience, relying upon your interests.
When Visiting in Summer (December, January, February), the national parks contain plenty of covered up waterholes and seashores in which it is the best time to chill even though summer in Sydney can be hot.
In Autumn (March, April, May), it is perhaps the best ideal opportunity to visit Sydney as it’s incredible for walking climate. The days can still be warm with a freshness of the air in the morning, granting the animals to move around for most of the day. Likewise, with all wildlife, sunrise and sunsets are the best ideal opportunity to spot them.
Winter (June, July, August) is a fantastic opportunity to visit Sydney’s national parks as the wildflowers are in full bloom. The Superb Lyrebird is mating in winter so you might be more fortunate to see their indulgent mating show. Humpback whales also start their relocation past Sydney in June and July and can be observed from the cliff tops in Royal National Park and North Head and South Head in Sydney Harbor National Park.
Lastly, Spring (September, October, November) is the ideal trans-seasonal time for strolling. The shrub is waking up again, and all the infant birds are starting to hatch.
What Do Other Tourists Say About Royal National Park?
“The first national park in Australia is the Royal National Park. It has wonderful landscapes, particularly in the coastal track and it is a must-visit place. Deer pool is in this walk, which is a wonderful spot. We did a bushwalk in RNP beginning from Bundeena where we took the coastal track to Marley drive and afterwards went for the Marley walk to the vehicle parking in Bundeena drive. Marley seashore to vehicle parking is somewhat less signed. However, we had some mobile reception here and not having difficulty to find directions with GPS.” -cdwijayarathna (TripAdvisor)
Related Questions
What Animals Are in The Royal National Park?
A lot of guests frequently spot local wildlife in the Hacking River Valley region, so watch out for sugar lightweight planes, wallabies and possums. This Sydney park is likewise home to countless bats, reptiles and amphibians.
What’s the Difference Between A National Park and A National Forest?
National Forests are supervised for some reasons like fish, wildlife, recreation grazing, timber etc. while National Parks are profoundly vested in preservation, barely changing the current state.
