Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Otford to Figure of Eight Pools Circuit hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Otford to Figure of Eight Pools Circuit
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
6 Hrs
13.4 km
705 m
Circuit
0.8 km NE of Otford
Royal National Park
Track: Hard
Exploring the southern coast of Royal National Park this trail experiences different trails and environments, with shrouded walking the Palm Forest to cleared views of the Coastline. With a short sidetrip out to the Figure of 8 Pools this walk becomes a great day in the bush. The views from the Burgh Ridge are something special as it is possible to see far into the distance down the coast in both directions.
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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(0 km) Otford Train Station to Otford Lookout Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 97 m
Descent = -37 m
From the east side of Otford Station the trak heads up the steep stairs to the footpath following the signs to the Royal National Park. Once reaching the top of the stairs there is a small intersection and the trail goes directly up the hill to the east. This hill goes for approximately 50m and is quite steep and at the top of this hill there is an intersection with a Station Rd. The track turns left and goes along the flat. Approximately halfway along this dirt road there is an intersection with anorther track heading downhill to the left. This ignored and the track contiues north-east until turning right into Fanshawe Rd. Fanshawe is followed until coming to an intersection with an asphalt road signposted as Lady Wakehurst Drive. At the intersection the track turns left and crosses the road and continues north-east along the road for approximately 25m until coming to a carpark an the entry into the Royal National Park. At this point there is a large green sign saying Otford Lookout.
(0.8 km) Otford Lookout to Werrong Beach Intersection Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -7 m
From Otford Lookout the track heads north-east up the bushtrack going towards the cliffs. This is done on a relatively gradual set of log stairs. Once at the top the track goes along the cliff and the large metal railing. After a while the track breaks slightly away from the cliff and the railings are no longer needed. The trak continues along the bushtrack until coming to an intersection marked with a signpost saying Werrong Beach.
(1.01 km) Werrong Beach Intersection to Int of Cliff and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.7 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 97 m
Descent = -50 m
From the intersection signposted as the way to Werrong Beach the track heads north-east along the bushtrack. This begins by going gradually up before flattening out. Once on the top of this small section the track continues north-east (gradually turning further to the east) along a well-managed bushtrack through a quite beautiful section of ferns. After quite a while the track changes to being a flat servicetrail. At the end of this section the track comes up to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as North Era 6.5km.
(2.68 km) Int of Cliff and Burning Palms Tracks to Burning Palms Beach (southern end) Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 3 km
Time = 1 Hrs 20 mins
Climb = 83 m
Descent = -307 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushrack towards the water. This begins by gradually going down for several hundred metres however as the track nears the water it suddenly becomes much steeper and sharply turns to the north-east. After the change in direction the track heads through the 'Palm Jungle' along the narrow bushtrack. At this point the track is largely clear but in some places there are obstacles. these include fallen trees and branches. The track continues in this manner for some time before the track emerges into grasslands and following what is almost a trench. Interestingly in the grasslands before entering the Palm Jungle there are frequently wild venison around which are remnants of when the area was farmed with them. This continues with the track rising slightly before going down again to the end of Burning Palms Beach, which is marked with several signposts pointing to Otford. From the end of the palm jungle and the start of the grasslands the track heads north-east through the grasslands through what is almost a trench. Interestingly in the grasslands before entering the Palm Jungle there are frequently wild venison around which are remnants of when the area was farmed with them. This continues with the track rising slightly before going down again to the end of Burning Palms Beach, which is marked with several signposts pointing to Otford.
(5.67 km) Burning Palms Beach (southern end) to Fig of 8 Pools Optional Side Trip: Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -17 m
(only to be attempted at low tide and low swell) From the beach the track follows the coast south, beneath the rocky headland. The track rounds the first prominent headland for approximately to a creek that drops off the cliffs above. The track heads out onto a second prominent headland for approximately to the Figure of 8 Pools. There are a number of Figure 8 shaped pools, but one main one. The pools are near the ocean edge on the headland south of Figure eight pools gully.
Figure Eight Pools
Alt = 4
The Figure Eight Pools are on the rock shelf, south of Figure Eight Pools gully. There are a number of circular sinkholes in the rock and a few of them have joined over time to form a figure eight shape. Two sink holes in particular have joined to form a very spectacular figure eight shape in the rock. The safest time to visit the pools are at low tide with a very low swell in the ocean.
(5.67 km) Burning Palms Beach (southern end) to Int of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 80 m
Descent = -9 m
From the south-western end of Burning Palms Beach this track heads north-east behind Burning Palms Beach along the narrow footbridge. Towards the end of the beach the track changes to being a metal footbridge. This continues until the trail passes several small Depression Houses. From here the track begins to head steeply up the hill. This continues until the track reaches an intersection on the top of the hill at a small sign saying 'Coast Track'. From the intersection the track heads north-west across the cleared hill. This has some magnificent views of both up and down the coast. Shortly after the track comes a clearing and intersection with a bushtrack going off to the right.
(6.72 km) Int of Burgh Ridge (north) and Era Bushtrack to Int of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 145 m
Descent = -7 m
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.
(7.7 km) Int of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack (Garrawarra Farm) to Int of Garawarra Management and Lilyvale Bushtrack Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 2.7 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 90 m
Descent = -57 m
From the intersection marked with the sign saying Coast Track/ North Era the track heads south-west along the servicetrail. Approximately 50m along this the track passes a small sign saying 'Cliff Track/Burgh Track'. The servicetrail continues south-west with several small ups and downs until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack heading off to the left approximately halfway. This is a small sidetrip which has fantastic views of the ocean and the cliffs. Back on the main servicetrail the track continues along the flat until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the Lilyvale Track.
(10.37 km) Int of Garawarra Management and Lilyvale Track to int of Cliff and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -14 m
From the intersection the trail heads south-west along the servicetrail. This goes through a beatiful rainforesty type environment along a consistently flat and well managed servicetrail. At the end of this section the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack marked with sign saying North Era 6.5km.
(10.72 km) Int of Cliff and Burning Palms Tracks to Otford Lookout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.9 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 57 m
Descent = -116 m
From the intersection at the sign saying North-Era 6.5km the track heads south-west along the servicetrail along the flat. After a while the track changes to being a well-managed bushtrack and this continues south-west through a beautiful section of ferns. After a while this begins to gradually descend until reaching an intersection marked with a signpost saying Werrong Beach. From the track heads south-west along the bushtrack. Shortly after this the track opens out onto the clifftop and goes beside the cliffs and the large metal railing. After a while the track changes back to a bushtrack and descends slightly via a set of log stairs until a carpark signposted as Otford Lookout.
(12.6 km) Otford Lookout to Otford Train Station Track: Moderate - road
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -97 m
From the lookout and the carpark the track heads south-west along Lady Wakehurst Drive for approximately 25-30m until coming to an intersection with Fanshawe Rd. At the intersection the track turns right and then shortly after this turns left and continues along the flat dirt road (Station St). Halfway along this flat section there is an intersection with a road going off to the right. The track ignores this and continues unil coming to a T-Intersection with another road. At this point the track turns steeply downhill following the signs to Otford Station and continues for about 50m until the road ends and the track becomes a very steep set of stairs. These stairs go to the east side of Otford Train Station.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
