Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Otford to Helensburgh hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Otford to Helensburgh
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
5 Hrs 15 mins
12.9 km
587 m
One way
0.8 km NE of Otford
Royal National Park
Track: Hard
Largely along servicetrails and well-managed bushtracks the Otford to Helensburgh Trail goes from train station to train station through parts of southern Royal National Park. Although, the constant servicetrails can be tedious at various points the bushtrack between Garrawarra and the Hacking River is incredibly beautiful as it winds its way down the hill through shrouded eucalypt forest and low-lying scrub.
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.
You can promote your organisation on the web and in the bush by sponsoring a set of Wildwalks tracknotes. Sponsorship starts from $10 per/month. This program is unique and will offer a great return on your investment.
(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 Int of Cliff and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.9 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 116 m
Descent = -57 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. 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 of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack (Garrawarra Farm) Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 3 km
Time = 55 mins
Climb = 71 m
Descent = -90 m
From the intersection the track heads north-east 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 going off to the left. This is signposted as the 'Lilyvale Track'. From the intersection the track heads north-east along the servicetrail. Approximately halfway the track passes a small bushtrack that goes off to the right. This goes for 20m and has some great views of the ocean and cliffs. From the lookout intersection the trail continues north-east with several small ups and downs before flattening out and shortly after coming to a signpost sying 'Cliff Track/Burgh track'. Approximately 50m beyond this sign there is a large boom gate and carpark. This is signposted as The Coast Track.
(5.7 km) Int of Garawarra Management Trail and Era Bushtrack to Garawarra Farm Carpark Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 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.
(5.79 km) Garawarra Farm Carpark to Int of Lady Wakehurst Drive and Burgh Track Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.6 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -171 m
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. 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.
(7.38 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.
(8.27 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.
(11.74 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 
1 km
