Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
6 Hrs 30 mins
13.2 km
729 m
Return
0.8 km NE of Otford
Royal National Park
Track: Hard
From Otford Train Station this track soon enters into the Royal National Park at the coast. There are great views of Wollongong down the coast. The track also passes through the magnificent Palm Jungle and Burning Palms beach. This is a great spot to go to get the toes wet and enjoy the environment. This track then continues to Figure of Eight Pools.
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.
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms bushwalking track
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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 Int. Fig 8 Pool Trk and Coastal Trk Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 2.1 km
Time = 1 Hrs
Climb = 66 m
Descent = -252 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.
(4.8 km) Int. Fig 8 Pool Trk and Coastal Trk to Burning Palms Beach (southern end) Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -55 m
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 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.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
