This walk explores a variety of environments through the Royal National Park. From the old Garawarra farm, the walk heads along the Squeeze Way then down a ridge to Burning Palms. There is an optional side trip out to Figure Eight pools. Burning Palms offers a nice beach and a great place to rest. From the beach the walk heads back up to Garawarra via an open grassy ridge, then through a nice shady forest track.
(0 km)
Garawarra Farm Carpark
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The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track Walk: Easy - road
Length = 87 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the left-hand side of the car park to the other side, where it comes to the intersection of the 'Squeeze Way' service trail, with the metal gate and 'Coast Walk' signpost.
(0.09 km)
The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track
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The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 3.03 km
Time = 57 mins
Climb = 90 m
Descent = -71 m
From the intersection, this walk follows 'The Coast Track' sign past the gate and down the hill. Approximately 50m along, the track passes a small sign saying 'Cliff Track' and 'Burg Track'. The service trail continues to undulate to an intersection with a bush track heading off to the left (approximately halfway down). This is a small sidetrip which has fantastic views of the ocean and the cliffs. Back on the main service trail, the track continues along the flat until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the 'Lilyvale Track'. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Burning Palms' arrow along the sandy service trail, winding through the bush for a short while before coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Coast Track'.
(3.11 km)
The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks
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Burning Palms Beach (southern end) Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 3 km
Time = 1 hr 20 mins
Climb = 83 m
Descent = -307 m
From the intersection, the track follows the 'North Era' arrow along the bush track, winding through the thick bushland and down a long hill for several hundred metres, gradually steepening before sharply turning left. After the change in direction, the track heads through the 'Palm Jungle' along the narrow bush track. At this point, the track is largely clear but in some places there are obstacles like fallen trees and branches. The track continues in this manner for some time before emerging into grasslands. From the end of the Palm Jungle and the start of the grasslands, the track heads through the grasslands and along the coast for a while before winding down to the signposted intersection of the Burning Palms track near the rangers' hut.
(6.11 km)
Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
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Figure 8 Pools Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 896 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -17 m
(only to be attempted at low tide and low swell)
From the beach, this walk follows the rocky passage beneath the rocky headland (keeping the headland to the right). The walk rounds the first prominent headland to a creek that drops off the cliffs above. This walk heads out onto a second prominent headland to the Figure 8 Pools. There are a number of Figure 8-shaped pools, but one main one. The pools are towards the sea, in line with the gully.
Figure Eight Pools
Alt = 4 m
The Figure Eight Pools are on the rock shelf, south of Figure Eight Pools gully, near Burning Palms. There are a number of circular sinkholes in the rock, and a few of them have joined over time to form a figure '8' shape. Two sink holes in particular have joined to form a very spectacular figure '8' shape in the rock. The safest time to visit the pools is at low tide when there is only a very low swell in the ocean.
(6.11 km)
Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
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Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 939 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 80 m
Descent = -6 m
From the intersection near the rangers' hut, this walk follows the Burning Palms arrow along the bush track winding around the back of the beach (which is to the right), until it joins onto a metal walkway. This continues until the trail passes several small cabins and begins to head steeply up the long hill, until the track reaches an signposted intersection at the top of the hill.
(7.05 km)
Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth)
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Garawarra Farm Carpark Track: Moderate - bushtrack,road
Length = 1.17 km
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 144 m
Descent = -14 m
From the intersection, this walk heads straight up the hill away from the sea. There are some magnificent views, both up and down the coast. Shortly after, the track comes to a clearing, and intersection with a bush track going off to the right, back down the hill. From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading up the hill and away from the ocean, towards the thick forest at the top of the ridge. The track winds up the long hill to the treeline, where it continues up through the forest, climbing to the top of the long hill where it gradually flattens out and comes to the intersection of the 'Squeeze Way' service trail at the end of the Garrawarra Farm car park. From the intersection, this walk heads across the car park, following the right-hand side for a short while before it comes to the signposted intersection of 'The Burgh Track', before reaching the paddock.
Fire Danger This walk passes Illawarra/Shoalhaven fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 14 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Did this walk 7 Apr 09. Great walk and easy track to follow. The climb out of Burning Palms wasn't as steep as it looks. :D
The only variation to the notes that I found was at the intersection of The Squeeze Way and the Burning Palms Track, the sign for North Era says 5.0km and not 6.5km.