Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Garie Beach to Helensburgh (The Burgh Track) hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Garie Beach to Helensburgh (The Burgh Track)
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
4 Hrs 30 mins
11 km
663 m
One way
10.7 km SSE of Heathcote
Royal National Park
Track: Hard
Travelling along the well-maintained Burgh Track, passing great views of the ocean and the cliffs, before turning inland and passing beautiful nature and environment views. Going to Helensburgh this trail offers the chance to catch the train home. The environment and views near Lady Wakehurst Dr are incredibly special as the track winds its way through a shrouded eucalypt environment.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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Located just back from North Era Beach and behind the small community of houses at North Era this clearing is a good spot to break. Fuel stoves are needed as open fires are not permitted. A permit is required from NPWS before arriving. Water is normmaly available from the creek (treat before drinking) otherwise you will need to walk to Garie Beach for water
(0 km) Garie Beach Carpark to Little Garie Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 59 m
Descent = -47 m
From the Garie Beach Carpark the track heads south following the directional signposts to North Era. This track goes along under the eave of the hill up to the north and between the water. This is achieved along a narrow trail that is protected from the water by large boulders and rockshelf. this section of the track is quite pleasant as the trail is very flat allowing time to check out the surrounding cliffs from the waterlevel. Once arriving at North-Era there is a sign stating that the track does not continue around the waterlevel due cliff erosion issues. As such, the track climbs the small hill and goes past the buildings. Just past the Little Garie Community Hall, the track comes to an intersection. Just north-west of this is a small campsite with fireplaces.
(0.75 km) Little Garie to North Era Bush Campground Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 62 m
Descent = -74 m
From the community hall in Little Garie the track heads steeply up the hill to the south-west following the bushtrack. To prevent erosion of the hill wooden steps have been installed. Once at the top there is a seat and this perfectly compliments the great views over the Pacific Ocean and the region. Once on the top of the ridge the track descends steeply to North Era Beach. Once on the beach the trail continues south-west until arriving at the North-Era Bush Campground sign.
(1.62 km) North Era Bush Campground to Burgh Ridge Track (nth) Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 57 m
Descent = -20 m
From the North Era Bush Campground the track heads up the faint track to the south-west. Once reaching the ridge the track comes to an intersection with a very faint bushtrack going off to the north along the spur towards the treeline. Once from the top of the spur the track descends to the south-west and shortly after comes to South Era Beach. The track crosses behind this and climbs the slight hill to the south. Across the clearing at the top of this hill the track comes to an intersection with two rough bushtracks on the top of the hill.
(2.52 km) Int of Era and Coast Tracks to Int of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.3 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 182 m
Descent = -12 m
From the intersection the track heads up the bushtrack to the north-west. This has some good views over the gully to the north-east and the small group of houses. The track goes uphill until coming to an unmarked intersection at the top of the hill. This has great views down and along the coast. From the intersection the track heads north-west along the bushtrack. The track in this section gradually becomes steeper and steeper going further from the cliffs. It also becomes quite rough. Once reaching the ridgeline the track becomes better managed and flattens out considerably. At this point the track turns gradually to the west for a short period before coming to an intersection marked with a large boom gate and signpost saying Coast Track.
(3.8 km) Int of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack to Int of Burgh and Bola Heights Tracks Track: Moderate - road, bushtrack
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -10 m
From the intersection and carpark at the boomgate the track heads north-west across the carpark until coming to a sign saying Burgh Track. This intersection and start of the track is quite hidden so it is necessary to look around the carpark a little. From the sign saying Burgh track the trail heads north-west along the grassy bushtrack for approximately 50m. After this the track changes and becomes wider and better managed. The track then continues north-west for approximatly 100m before turning slightly to the west. This is just before coming to an intersection with an unmarked servicetrail.
(4.14 km) Int of Burgh Track and Bola Heights Trail to Int of Lady Wakehurst Drive and Burgh Track Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.3 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -163 m
From the intersection the track heads west along the flat bushtrack. As the track turns further to the north it gradually begin to go down the hill via a set of log-stairs. Before long the track changes to steeply descending until reaching the grasslands at the bottom of this section.These grasslands are quite beautiful with the surrounding eucalypts providing shade and good views over the surrounding valley. From here the track flattens out slightly before steeply descending to Lady Wakehurst Drive marked with a signpost saying Burgh Track. Just across the road and behind the large boulders another bushtrack begins.
(5.48 km) Int of Lady Wakehurst Drive and Burgh Track to Int of Burgh and Hacking River Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 48 m
Descent = -18 m
From the intersection the track heads north-west along the bushtrack away from Lady Wakehurst Drive and past the two large boulders. Before long the track gradually turns and descends to one of the tributaries of the Hacking River. The track crosses the creek using the boulders as stepping stones. Once over the creek and after a short climb up the bank the track continues slightly further to the north until coming to an old disused servicetrail. This is marked by several signs pointing the way to Helensburgh. At this point the track turns sharply south (left) and heads south-west gradually up to an intersection with the Hacking Servicetrail marked by a small trailmarker signpost.
(6.36 km) Intersection of Hacking River Firetrail and Burgh Track to End of Halls Rds Track: Hard - Service Trail
Distance = 3.5 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 214 m
Descent = -114 m
From the intersection the track heads north along the servicetrail. During this section the track experiences several small ups and downs as it winds its way around the hill to the north-west. Gradually as the track turns to the west the track begins to rise steeply. This continues with the track going up to the ridgeline where it flattens out. After going along the flat for a reasonable length of time the trail comes to an intersection and large fenced in clearing. This is marked by a large sign saying 'Royal National Park' At this point the track heads east around the edge of the fenced in clearing and onto the bushtrack. From here the track turns to the west until connecting with Halls Road.
(9.84 km) End of Halls Rds to Helensbourgh Railway Station Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -69 m
From the end of Halls Rd the track heads south along the road until reaching Parkes St. From here the track turns north (right) and heads downhill along the footpath until reaching the corner of Tunnel Rd and Parkes Rd. The track turns right and goes along Wilson Creek Rd for a short while before turning left and taking the the steps down to Helensburgh Railway Station.
Hiking near Sydney 
5 km
