Heading south, this walk covers the coastline of the Royal National Park and can truly only be described as amazing. With breathtaking coastal views from Bundeena to Otford this walk follows the cliffs along a well managed and signposted track. You will enjoy the truly fantastic views out to sea and along the cliffs. If you prefer, you can use the un-staffed YHA at Garie beach rather than camping. Make an early start for day two, it is bigger that it appears.
NPWS is a proud sponsor of Wildwalks. For more information on the spectacular parks and reserves of NSW Visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Catch the ferry to Bundeena
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info Use these links to plan your Ferry (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
Bundeena is a small township at the northern end of Royal National Park and the southern side of the entrance to Port Hacking. The town can be accessed by car or ferry. There are a few B&B's and other accommodation options and a number of cafes to choose from. Bundeena has a mixed atmosphere, partly a beach holiday community but also home to some permanent residents. There are two main beaches - Hordens Beach to the west and Jibbon Beach to the east. Both are nice beaches inside Port Hacking. More info
(0 km)
Bundeena Ferry Wharf
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Int of Beachcomber Rd Service Trail and Coast Walk Track: Moderate - road,servicetrail,servicetrail
Length = 1.76 km
Time = 34 mins
Climb = 71 m
Descent = -23 m
From Bundeena Ferry, on Brighton St, this walk turns left into Loftus St, goes past Mary St and turns right into Bournemouth St. The walk turns left into Scarbourough St and takes the first right into Beachcomber Av. Beachcomber Av is followed south and gradually to the east until reaching the entry into the Royal National Park. This is marked by several large information signs. From the end of Beachcomber Av, this walk heads around the locked gate, following the 'Coast Walk' sign along the wide management trail. After about 50m, the trail passes a track (on the left) and continues until coming to an intersection with a wider sandy trail (on the left, which leads to Jibbon Head). From the intersection, this walk follows the asphalt management trail heading towards the green signposts nearby, where it comes to the signposted intersection of the 'Coast Track'.
(1.76 km)
Int of Beachcomber Rd Servicetrail and Coast Walk
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Bundeena Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 689 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -27 m
From the intersection, the track follows the 'Coast Track' signpost along the wide, sandy bush track as it winds through the short, thick scrub for a while before arriving at the coast, where there are great views across the South Pacific Ocean.
Bundeena Lookout
Alt = 28 m
This unfenced, informal lookout is perched high on the cliffs, looking east over the South Pacific Ocean. The lookout is not signposted nor officially named, but provides great view south along the escarpment. Cliff edge may be unstable and fragile - keep a safe distance.
(2.45 km)
Bundeena Lookout
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West Marley Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack,beach
Length = 3.87 km
Time = 1 hr 18 mins
Climb = 131 m
Descent = -154 m
From the lookout, this walk follows the bush track winding south along the coast line, keeping the ocean to the left as it winds in and out of scrub and across several rock surfaces. On a few occasions, the track will split into two and meet up again a short while later - just stick to the track closer to the coast. This walk follows the track markers until coming to a large gully, where it winds to the bottom via some steep rock steps. Once at the bottom, the track crosses the small stream at the wooden bridge and continues up the other side of the gully, climbing up the wooden steps and the hardened path to the top. From the top of the gully, the track continues along the path heading through the high heath for about 1.5km, until coming to an intersection with service trail. This intersection is marked by a signpost saying 'Coast Walk'. From the signposted intersection, the track follows the coast, keeping the ocean to the left as it winds down the long hill to the end of Marley Beach, where it comes to a large green information sign. From the end of Marley Beach, this walk follows the coast along the beach until coming to the rock-shelf at the end. Marley Beach is very beautiful and, on a warm day, it would be a great spot to swim. On the rockshelf at the end of the beach, there are some shady spots to break from the walk. (At this, point there is also an intersection with a small bush track that heads up the hill and away from the beach.)
(6.32 km)
West Marley Beach
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Little Marley Beach Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 641 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = -17 m
From the end of the beach, this walk heads up and along the rock-shelf to following the coast as the bush track weaves in and out of the short heath for a short while. The track then comes to an intersection with an unmarked bush track going off to the right and away from the cliffs. From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track winding along the coast, keeping the ocean and the cliffs to the left as it winds down the hill for a while before coming down the long hill to the end of Little Marley Beach.
Little Marley Beach
Alt = 3 m
Little Marley Beach, Royal National Park, is a yellow sand beach, approximately 140m long. The narrow beach faces north-east and has a rock platform at either end. The beach is not patrolled and has no other services. For information on this beach's pollution levels, follow the 'more info' link below. More info
(6.96 km)
Little Marley Beach
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Wattamolla Dam Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.81 km
Time = 1 hr 8 mins
Climb = 174 m
Descent = -155 m
From Little Marley Beach, this walk follows the coast across the beach, keeping the ocean to the left as it climbs up the signposted bush track at the end to the clifftop. From here, the track follows the coast line for a short period before passing over numerous sections of metal footbridge. This continues through the scrub vegetation, with short periods where the track comes back onto the rockshelf above the cliff, until the track changes to purely being a well-managed bush track through the high scrub, as it winds along to the signposted intersection of the Coast Track. From the intersection, this walk heads south-west along the bush track, heading down the long hill through the high scrub and down through some rocks, as it approaches the small swimming hole made by the dam in Wattamolla Creek.
Wattamolla Dam
Alt = 21 m
Wattamolla pool (or dam), Royal National Park, is a small water hole on Wattamolla Creek, above the lagoon. The pool is on the Coast Track near Wattamolla picnic area and offers a quiet spot for a dip and a rest. The pool is formed by a small, constructed sandstone dam and fed by a small waterfall above.
(9.77 km)
Wattamolla Dam
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Northern End Wattamolla Picnic Ground Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 653 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -31 m
From the creek, the track heads west (with the swimming hole on the left) along the bush track, which winds through the tall scrub and down the long hill until it crosses the wide, shallow creek to the Wattamolla Picnic Ground on the other side.
Wattamolla Kiosk
Alt = 10 m
The Wattamolla Kiosk in the Wattamolla Picnic Area provides basic supplies for day visitors. The kiosk does not keep strict hours and opens depending on weather and demand. It usually opens on weekends at around 10:30am and closes between 4 and 6pm. You can buy ice-creams, drinks and some hot food. For more information, call Audley Kiosk on (02) 9521 2240.
Wattamolla Picnic Area
Alt = 9 m
Wattamolla Picnic Area is found at the end of Wattamolla Road, about halfway along the coastline of Royal National Park. The area is blessed with a great beach, a lagoon and some wonderful creeks and rocks to explore. The small beach faces west and is tucked away in a deep bay. The lagoon sits behind the beach and is lined with sand on one side, and cliffs and rocks on the other shore. The picnic area has large open grassy areas, with some shade provided by trees and some picnic shelters. There is a small kiosk (often open weekends), toilets, electric BBQs and two car parks. There is water here, but needs to be treated before drinking. There is a gate on the road that is locked at night, the gate is open from 7am to 8:30pm.
(10.42 km)
Northern End Wattamolla Picnic Ground
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Overflow Carpark Walk: Easy - road
Length = 324 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -4 m
From the northern end of the picnic ground, this walk heads through the car park and across the grass to the toilet block. From the toilet block, this walk follows the signs to the Overflow Car Park. (This is the upper car park.) At the back of the car park, this walk comes to an intersection with a large service trail, with a gate and signpost saying 'Garrie 5.8km'.
(10.74 km)
Overflow Carpark
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Curracurrang Cove Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.41 km
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 28 m
Descent = -49 m
From the car park, the track follows the service trail climbing up the long hill, passing two large water towers as it continues along for a while, before coming to a great lookout over the ocean, marked by a sign saying 'Curracurrang'. From the lookout, the track continues along the cliff edge, keeping the ocean to the left as it follows the bush track, winding along the coast until it comes to Curracurrang Cove. Here, there is an intersection with another bush track that heads up and away from the ocean.
Curracurrang Cove
Alt = 6 m
Curracurrang Cove is a small cove about 1km SW of Wattamolla, on the coast of the Royal National Park. The cove faces east and is where Curracurrang Creek meets the ocean. The creek, the cove and the surrounding rocks provide great scenery, making this a relaxing place to stop and enjoy. There is evidence that Aboriginal people lived in this cove. There are a few middens in the area, some rock shelters and Curracurrang creek provides a near-permanent water supply. The cove was first occupied 7500 years ago and was used as a regular campsite by the Dharawal people. More info
(12.16 km)
Curracurrang Cove
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Eagles Rock Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.95 km
Time = 44 mins
Climb = 108 m
Descent = -82 m
Keeping the ocean to the left, the track climbs up out of Curracurang Cove and continues all the way up to the top of the large hill, winding through the thick heath across the top and down the other side to Curracurang Creek at the bottom. After crossing the creek, the track follows the bushtrack heading up short hill and along the bushtrack winding through the scrub for a short while before coming to the Eagle Rock lookout at the information signpost.
Eagle Rock Lookout
Alt = 33 m
Eagle Rock lookout is an informal lookout marked by an information sign on the Coast track in the Royal National Park. The lookout is about halfway between Garie Beach and Wattamolla. Eagle rock is a piece of the cliff line that looks amazingly like the head of an eagle, with the eye and all. The lookout is about 150m west of the Eagle Rock on the other side of Carracurrong Creek. Eagle Rock is often used as an icon for the Royal National Park. Carracurrong Creek also forms a waterfall into the ocean nearby.
(14.1 km)
Eagles Rock Lookout
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Int. Coastal Walk and Curra Moors Brook Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 139 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -4 m
Keeping the ocean to the left the track follows the bushtrack heading through the heath along the coast for a short while until it comes to the intersection of the bushtrack at the end of the service trail, marked by the two post's where the sign has been pulled off.
(14.24 km)
Int. Coastal Walk and Curra Moors Brook Trail
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Int. Garie Beach YHA Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack,beach
Length = 3.41 km
Time = 1 hr 15 mins
Climb = 145 m
Descent = -174 m
From the intersection, this walk heads along the bush track and the rockshelf, keeping the ocean on the left. This continues, with the track becoming a narrow trail that goes through the scrub. In various sections, metal walkways have been built to stabilise the environment in the area. This continues until reaching an intersection with a track, heading off to the right. From the intersection, this walk heads along the clifftop, keeping the water to the left of the track. After several hundred metres of high scrub, the track emerges out into the open and has fantastic views of Garie Beach and the hills to the south. From this point, the track begins to descend steeply down, passing a small clearing with fireplaces before coming to the north-eastern end of Garie Beach. From the end of Garie Beach, the track follows the coast across the beach, keeping the ocean to the left until it comes to the base of some timber steps leading up the hill on the right.
(17.65 km)
Int. Garie Beach YHA Trk
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Garie Beach YHA Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 341 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 48 m
Descent = -9 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the stairs away from the ocean. The track winds up the hill steeply then continues for approximately 350m along the hillside, in and out of a gully, to rise up to the cabin signposted as 'YHA Garie Beach'.
YHA Garie Beach
Alt = 46 m
Garie Beach YHA Youth Hostel, in Royal National Park, is a basic but comfortable cabin. The unstaffed and locked cabin is situated north of Garie Beach car park, high on the hill behind the next gully.
The cabin contains solar lighting, water, gas kitchen, a 'loo with a view' and the capacity to sleep twelve people. You need to provide your own bed sheets and toilet paper. The cabin costs $17.50/adult per night, with the potential to rent the youth hostel out for a week. The key must be picked up from YHA Kent St, Sydney, prior to arrival at the YHA. The key has a $50.00 deposit. To make a booking phone 9261 1111. More info
(17.65 km)
Int. Garie Beach YHA Trk
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Garie Beach Car Park Track: Moderate - beach
Length = 312 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -6 m
From the intersection, the track heads along the beach keeping the ocean on the left of the track for approximately 200m to Garie Beach car park on the right.
Garie Beach
Alt = 4 m
Garie Beach, Royal National Park, is a large, south-east facing, yellow sand beach. The beach is backed by steep headlands and gullies. There is a large car park at the end of Garie Rd for access to the beach. Garie Beach is popular for surfing, patrolled 9am-5pm from December to January. Facilities include toilets, kiosk, picnic tables, cold showers and Surf Life Saving Club. The water from the shower should be treated before drinking. More info
(17.97 km)
Garie Beach Car Park
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North Era Bush Campground Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.62 km
Time = 43 mins
Climb = 121 m
Descent = -121 m
From the Garie Beach car park, the walk follows the sign to 'North Era', keeping the sea to the left. This track follows the base of the large grassy hill between the rocks and the ocean, to the Little Garie cabins and up past the Little Garie Community Hall. From the community hall in Little Garie, the walk heads steeply up the hill, following the track to the south-west. To prevent erosion of the hill, wooden steps have been installed. From the top of the ridge, the track continues down the other side, keeping the ocean on the left while winding down into North Era Bush Campground.
North Era camping ground
Alt = m
North Era camping ground, Royal National Park, is a large dune area situated directly behind North Era Beach. This camping spot is popular with surfers, and it also has a toilet and a cleared area to pitch your tent. A maximum of 36 people (12 sites) can camp here, so there is plenty of room for everyone. Open fires are not permitted, you can carry a fuel stove for cooking. A camping permit is required from NPWS before arriving (Phone:(02) 9542 068). Water is often available from the creek (treat before drinking), If dry you can walk to Garie Beach for water, during a dry spell it is best to carry water in with you.
(19.58 km)
North Era Bush Campground
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Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.11 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 93 m
Descent = -20 m
From the North Era Bush Campground, the walk heads up the grassy hill, keeping the ocean to the left. Just before the buildings, the walk comes to an intersection with a track on the right (which heads into the trees). From the top of the ridge, the track heads down the hill, keeping the ocean to the left as it winds down between the cabins to the beach at the bottom. From here the track continues around the back of the beach following the coast and up between the houses to the large clearing before the top of the hill. Here it comes to an intersection with two rough bush tracks towards the top of the hill. From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill and through the ferns, heading up and away from the cabins but still keeping the sea to the left of the track. This continues until the track comes to a large sign saying 'Coast Track'.
(20.69 km)
Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth)
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Burning Palms Beach (southern end) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 939 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -80 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Burning Palms' along the bush track, winding down the side of the hill, past the cabins, then at the bottom the track joins onto a metal walkway that soon changes to a narrow bush track. This passes behind Burning Palms Beach until coming to a sign saying 'Otford via Palm Jungle'.
(21.63 km)
Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
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The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 3 km
Time = 1 hr 20 mins
Climb = 307 m
Descent = -83 m
From the intersection near the rangers' hut, the track follows the 'Otford' signpost along the defined bush track up and along the coast, winding all the way along until the track comes to the intersection of the Figure Eight Pool's track just before it enters the palm jungle. Do not expect to see a track as it is undefined. From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading up into the palm jungle. After entering the jungle, the track is quite clear but in some places there are obstacles, such as fallen trees and branches. The track continues in this manner for some time before turning inland and climbing steeply up to the top of the large hill. At the top, the track flattens out and heads towards the ocean, soon arriving at an intersection with a service trail. At this point there are several signposts pointing towards 'Otford' and 'Carawarra Farm'.
(24.63 km)
The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks
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Otford Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.87 km
Time = 42 mins
Climb = 57 m
Descent = -116 m
From the intersection, the track follows the Otford arrow down the service trail, as it winds through the bush to the end where it becomes a bush track. From here, the track continues along the well-managed bush track through a beautiful section of ferns. After a while, this begins to gradually descend until reaching an intersection marked with a signpost for 'Werrong Beach'. From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, winding down the hill for a short while before coming to the fenced-off edge of the cliffs, which it follows keeping the ocean to the left as it winds down the hill. After a while, the track changes back to a bush track and continues down some wooden stairs to a car park signposted as 'Otford Lookout'.
(26.5 km)
Otford Lookout
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Otford Train Station Track: Moderate - road
Length = 804 m
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -97 m
From the lookout and the car park, this walk follows the 'Otford Station' sign along Lady Wakehurst Drive to quickly meet Fanshawe Rd. This walk turns right onto Fanshawe Rd, which it follows down the long hill until it comes to the intersection of Station St. At the intersection, this walk turns left and continues along the road, passing the intersection with another road heading down to the right and coming to the 'T' intersection of the next dirt road. From here, the walk continues down the hill following the 'Otford Station' signs down the steep concrete path, and down the steps to the station.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 56 minutes ago) This walk passes Illawarra/Shoalhaven fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 56 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Fairly easy walk except the last hill on the first day killed our group on the Duke of Edinburgh hike. Also the lack of shade meant we were murdered by the sun... All up however a fairly good hike
This is a brilliant walk as described and your track notes were as usual, most helpful. However, your reference to the North Era Bush Campground (where I camped the night) being "behind the small community of houses at North Era" is not correct. The only houses in the area are at South Era, where I found no sign of any campsite. The only buildings as such at North Era are the two bush toilets for campers.
This walk would have been fantastic in reasonable weather- walking on Sydney's coldest day since the mid 19th century was not our Duke of Edinburgh groups cup of tea. 120 km/h winds also made parts of the track ridiculously dangerous, especially on the top of rocky cliffs.
Overall, an easy walk though. In the summer, swimming would be perfect because of all of the beaches. The camping site at Wattamolla is great as well- equipped with barbeques, toilets and even cold showers as well as the lagoon and a beach to swim in.
This really is a great walk. Every Sydneysider should do it at least once in their lives. I did it in December with lots of preparation but very little actual bushwalking experience. It was tough, but very satisfying to know that we'd walked that far.
A note for first-timers: If you're walking Bundeena-Otford, don't underestimate how hard the second day will be. We got caught out by assuming that because we'd covered two-thirds of the distance on the first day, the second day would be a leisurely stroll home. How wrong we were! The hills were absolutely brutal and the tracks were a lot rougher than Day One. We still enjoyed ourselves, but we ate every morsel of our emergency back-up food just to fuel our sorry arses up those hills. Be prepared! Take chocolate!
Also, don't rely on there being running water at North Era. When we were there in December, there was nothing in the creek but mud. We walked back over the hill in the morning to fill our bottles at Garie Beach, but we felt a but dumb for not filling up the night before. Remember also that all water in the park needs purification - even water from the Garie Beach and Watamolla tanks.
Have fun, and thanks, Wild Walks for the great track notes!
Thanks for the track notes, which were in the most part accurate and helpful.
I agree with Jess about there not being any running water at North Era. I was counting on it for my second night camp (after camping the first night at Providential Point) but without water I decided to keep going and walk out on the second day - hard work!
Thanks also Jess, for the note about purifying the tank water at Wattamolla and Garie. I purified the water I got from the couple of streams (below Wattamolla Dam and also at Curracarong) but wasn't sure whether the tank water could be trusted, even if treated - I'll be better prepared next time.
Read your track notes. My wife and I attempted this trek three days ago. Coming from Bundeena we faced extremely strong winds for the whole of day 1. We fought with it so much that we didn't make it to North Era before dark, after setting out at 0700hrs in the morning. Had to camp in a clearing in the bush along the track. Distance measurements on sign posts didn't seem accurate. We would walk for 2 hours on flat track and cover less ground than 1 hour of hills and winding tracks. We carried 6.5 litres of water between us and had purifying equipment as well, we drew water from Curracurang Gully and also from the surf club at Garie. There is no way you could carry enough water, not to refill along the track, as suggested by National Parks office. That is just dangerous. A note to others, the kiosk at Wattamolla isn't open in the cooler months, as we found and the kiosk at the Garie Beach Surf Club also doesn't open when patrols are not happening. I would recommend people of good fitness only attempt this trek. The elements can change and make it very difficult. Like Jess, we too thought the second day would be easier, but were astounded at the climbs we had to make. A last note, the signage/markers were non-existent in most places, which can also be dangerous. We have walked many National Park walks in Queensland and never have we seen a popular walk such as the Coast Track, so poorly marked. We had to repeatedly check the map whenever we came across an intersection. There are many misleading tracks that lead to nowhere and you have to be aware and check before you go too far in the wrong direction.
Would like to be able to camp at more locations if required. Not sure about the comment from Lucy about the Campsite at Wattamolla, we only found a picnic area and nothing from National Parks suggested there was any campground other than North Era available.
Overall, we were glad to have completed the walk, but would not hurry to do it again. Would loved to have had more time to enjoy the scenery, but were pushed for time and daylight. We learnt some vital lessons.
Hiking near Sydney 
10 km
not too much longer now :)