Wallumarra to Palona Cave

Download & Print Map and Notes

4 hrs 30 mins

11.8 km Return

439 m

Hard track

Winding next to Bola Creek, the Wallumarra bush track is very pretty, as is the track to Palona. Great rest areas at Bola Picnic Area, and next to the waterfall at Palona Cave, cap off a great walk. While the Wallumarra service trail and the side trip to the Beehives are not the most interesting tracks in Royal National Park, the Wallumarra bush track and the trail to Palona Cave make up for this.

Walumurra Fire Trail on Sir Bertrams Stevens Drive

Section of footbridge on the Wallumarra Bushtrack

The track between Bola Creek and Lady Carrington Dr.

(0km) Int. Walumarra Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive → Garie Hill

250 m

4 mins

0m Moderate track

From the intersection, this walk heads along the dark gravel service trail in the opposite direction to the arrow on the signpost. The track soon turns left and after approximately 50m, the track turns from the dark gravel to yellow sand. The track soon passes an old trig point on the left to continue for approximately 30m to the intersection.

(0km) Garie Hill → Bee Hives

190 m

3 mins

-11m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the back of the signpost, as it heads down the overgrown track. The walk passes through the vegetation to a grassed opening with bee hives. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

(0km) Garie Hill → End of Walumurra Service Trail

2.2 km

39 mins

16m

-68m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads over the speed bump on the track following the sign posts arrow. The track swings right through moderately dense vegetation for approximately 40m to an open short bush area. The walk continues down the hill for approximately 300m to turn left. The track continues for approximately 200m to turn right, heading down the hill to where it flattens out. After approximately 1km of flat, the track enters a clearing on the left, the end of the service trail.

(2km) End of Walumarra Servicetrail → Int of Lady Carrington Drive and Walumarra Bushtrack

1.5 km

41 mins

29m

-171m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the end of the Walumarra service trail, this walk heads along the bush track away from the service trail. The track opens out and it is possible to see the valley below. From here, the track begins to steeply descend the hill using rock stairs. The track nears the bottom and flattens out slightly, continuing down the hill until reaching Bola Creek. At this point, the track track turns sharply to the right and continues along the creek bank. After a short period, the track crosses a small tributary of Bola Creek. Continuing along the track, there are several sections that have been boardwalked. After the boardwalk is finished, the track continues beside the creek until coming to a well-marked crossing. On the other side, the track goes slightly up along the well-managed bush track for approximately 100m until coming to an intersection with a service trail. This is signposted as the 'Walumarra Track'.

(4km) Int of Lady Carrington Drive and Walumarra track → Bola Picnic Area intersection

70 m

1 mins

-3m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the main wide dirt trail[1], keeping the valley to the right. The trail bends right and leads down into the valley for about 60m passing the 'red cedar' information sign[2][3] to come to the signposted three-way intersection with 'The Forest Path'[4] beside the the Bola Creek picnic area

[Picnic Table]

[5], just before the creek.

(4km) Bola Picnic Area → Int Palona Cave Trk and Lady Carrington Drive

1 km

21 mins

25m

-42m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley 9km' arrow[6] gently downhill along the wide trail to cross the culverted Bola Creek[7]. The trail then bends left and leads steeply up for about 200m where the trail then gently undulates through the forest[8][9] for about 800m before coming to the faint intersection, with the signposted 'Limestone Cave' bush track[10] (the timber sign is behind a tree on the left, before the signposted 'Palona Brook'[11]).

(5km) Int Palona Cave Trk and Lady Carrington Drive → Palona Cave and Waterfall

780 m

19 mins

69m

-9m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Limestone Cave 1.6km' arrow along the track, heading up the hill and away from the road. The walk continues up a long hill, winding through dense forest for a short while before flattening out and continuing along the side of the hill. The walk winds through the bush and passes several rock overhangs and outcrops either side of the track, as the walk make its way along to the Palona Caves at the end of the track.

Maps for the Wallumarra to Palona Cave walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Otford	1:25 000 Map Series	91294S OTFORD	NSW-91294S
Port Hacking	1:100 000 Map Series	9129 PORT HACKING	9129

Cross sectional view of the Wallumarra to Palona Cave bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallumarra to Palona Cave

Altitude analysis for Wallumarra to Palona Cave

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	11.8 km
		Time	4 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 3.4km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 2.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

2.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 1km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 780m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (780m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 780m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (780m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Wallumarra to Palona Cave walk.

The Forest Way Track

4.4 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

Opened in 1886, the Forest Path was once part of a controversial logging site, the first time that logging was stopped in Australia by protest. Now it is a short trail looping around the hill, following the Hacking River. Through a shaded environment of ferns and eucalypts, this walk passes through

Total climbing: 179m

Moderate track

The Wallumarra Track to Bola Creek

4.7 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk becomes more interesting once you reach the end of the service trail section and start on the bush track. There are great views going down the hill, and once at Bola Creek the track meanders alongside the creek, through a dark forest, until meeting up with Lady Carrington Dr.

Total climbing: 74m

Moderate track

Lady Carrington Drive to Palona Cave

5.1 km Return, 2 hrs

Following the historic Lady Carrington Drive much of the way, this walk heads north until turning off the wide trail. Here the heads along a narrow track to a beautiful limestone cave. In typical sandstone country, Palona Cave's different geology makes it well worth the visit. There is a beautiful

Total climbing: 171m

Hard track

Forest Island to Calala

8.9 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

Following the historic Lady Carrington Drive, this walk takes your to Calala, a quiet clearing on the Hacking River. Travelling along the old road, this walk passes a few shaded brooks as it winds alongside the Hacking River. There is the chance for a side trip to Palona Cave and waterfall. Calala

Total climbing: 296m

Moderate track

Lady Carrington Drive

9.7 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk follows the historic Lady Carrington Drive alongside the Hacking River. The old road is closed to traffic and provides a great way for walkers (and mountain bikers) to explore the richness of Royal National Park. You can explore the fantastic natural sandstone rock formations, historical

Total climbing: 266m

Moderate track

Wallumarra Track to Forest Way

12.5 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

Initially following a section of service trail, this walk heads along the ridge before descending to Bola Creek. The walk becomes more enjoyable after the service trail section, especially down on the creek as the walk winds its way through the forest. After a short break at the Bola Picnic Area, th

Total climbing: 470m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Wallumarra to Palona Cave walk.

Curra Moors car park to Garie Beach

4.4 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk is another Royal National Park classic. The walk comes off a ridge to join with the Coastal Track's tour of the beaches. The walk starts at the small Curra Moors car park and heads through the heath and bush to the rock shelf at the coast. The track ends at Garie Beach. The beach has a kio

Total climbing: 65m

Hard track

Curra Moors Loop

9.2 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

A pleasant walk with some great views, mostly along service trails. The walk passes through heath and some areas of trees (flowering in spring). This walk follows the Coastal Track along the headland, giving great views along the coast and out to sea.

Total climbing: 242m

Hard track

Wises Track

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

This isn't a particularly special walk, but is a nice way to see different heath environments. The walk follows an old road which has now been turned into a service trail. There are many wildflowers and banksia along this walk, providing great flower displays in the warmer months of the year.

Total climbing: 50m

Moderate track

Garie Beach to Garawarra to Burning Palms Circuit

13.5 km Circuit, 7 hrs

Using a variety of tracks, this walk follows the coast as well as going inland to Garrawarra Farm. With great coastal views and a magnificent palm jungle, this walk demonstrates perfectly, the diversity of the Royal National Park. Of historical significance are the houses scattered along the coast t

Total climbing: 754m

Hard track

Garie Beach to Helensburgh (The Burgh Track)

11 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk has a great mixture of ocean cliffs, with fantastic views, and beautiful forest. The walk follows the well maintained Burgh Track, passing great views of the ocean and the cliffs, before turning inland and exploring some eucalypt forest on the way to Helensburgh. The environment and views

Total climbing: 664m

Hard track

Garie Beach to North Era Beach

3.2 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk is the shortest walk to North Era Beach and starts from the Garie car park. Both beaches are popular surfing beaches, and have either camping or basic hostel accommodation. This makes the walk between the beaches an excellent way to transport boards and supplies for your surf retreat, week

Total climbing: 242m

Moderate track

Garie Beach to Eagle Rock

7.7 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk, from Garie Beach to Eagle Rock, is another great way to explore the Royal National Park coastline. Eagle Rock is an iconic rock formation in the park, and this lookout provides a great view of it. The walk then returns to the expansive Garie Beach, offering more great views as you head d

Total climbing: 344m

Hard track

Garie Beach YHA

1.3 km Return, 45 mins

**On 02/12/2010 this YHA was completely destroyed by fire and plans for the future are not yet decided** This track is the only access to Garie Beach YHA. If you leave your car in the Garie Beach car park it is easy to head up to the hostel, before spending the rest of your time down at the beach. T

Total climbing: 68m

Moderate track

Garie Road to Era Loop

5 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

This walk covers a great cross section of the environments in the Royal National park, with plenty of places to rest and take in the views. The walk follows the Squeeze Way from Garie Rd, then heads down Stockyard Spur to Era Gully. The walk then heads up to the old Garawarra Farm, via Burgh Ridge,

Total climbing: 271m

Hard track

Stockyard spur to Garie Beach

3.3 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

The walk down Stockyard Spur to Garie Beach is an excellent way to take in coastal views before following the Coastal Track. This is great if you are with a driver who is happy to drop you and wait for you are Garie Beach, or if you can do a car shuffle. You can always just walk back up. There ar

Total climbing: 142m

Hard track

Burning Palms loop from Garawarra

8.2 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores a variety of environments through the Royal National Park. From the old Garawarra farm, the walk heads along the Squeeze Way then down a ridge to Burning Palms. There is an optional side trip out to Figure Eight pools. Burning Palms offers a nice beach and a great place to rest

Total climbing: 398m

Hard track

Garawarra Farm carpark to figure eight pools

6 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

This return walk starts from the old Garawarra Farm car park and heads down the ridge through the Royal National Park, to the coast. The walk then follows the coast, through Burning Palms beach, and around the base of the headland to the famous Figure Eight Pools. This walk explores 4 distinct env

Total climbing: 273m

Hard track