Royal National Park may be Sydney’s best all-rounder when it comes to a national park.
This beautiful national park, just an hour south of Sydney, has it all: stunning clifftops, beautiful beaches, tranquil bushland, incredible swimming holes and even patches of Gondwana Rainforest (the oldest rainforests in the world).
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous hike, or a peaceful escape from the city, you’ll find it in Royal.
Find your next adventure in Royal National Park:
Walks in Royal National Park
Royal has the most diverse walking trails in Sydney. Below you’ll find the best of the park’s coastal walks, bush walks, trails to swimmings holes and even incredible rainforest trails.
The Needles is a fantastic wild swimming spot in Sydney, with deep green water and a pretty bush setting. We’re sharing both the long and short route to get there and what to expect from the swimming hole.
Engadine Lagoon is an incredible wild swimming spot in Sydney, with clear water and a pretty bush setting. We’re sharing how to reach the lagoon and how to form an offtrack circuit which also visits The Needles.
Mirang Pool is a pretty yet little visited swimming hole in Heathcote National Park. We’re sharing how to get there via the quickest route and what to expect from the trail.
How to find the best swimming hole at Lake Eckersley and what to expect from the trail.
Kingfisher Pool is a beautiful swimming hole in Heathcote National Park. Nestled in a gorgeous patch of gum trees with a small waterfall and craggy rocks, it’s a little bush oasis. We’re sharing how to get there via the quickest route.
The swimming holes of Kangaroo Creek are sublime, but some are even more beautiful than others. Kangaroo Pool is jaw-dropping yet it remains one of the lesser visited waterholes in the park. We’re sharing everything you need to know about visiting.
The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel is one of the most incredible glow worm sites in all of NSW. The tunnel extends far longer than most people would dare to venture, but you don’t need to go far to experience a dazzling display. We’re sharing what it’s like to visit by day and by night.
The 12 things you need to know about the Figure 8 Pools to ensure you get there safely and enjoy it without the crowds. We’ll tell you all about how to plan your visit, what to expect and a step-by-step guide to the walking trail to one of Sydney’s most incredible spots.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to walks in Royal National Park. From coastal views, to swimming under waterfalls, to finding well preserved Aboriginal engravings, this park has it all! We’re sharing the best walks from our first hand experience; how difficult they are, which ones are great for spotting whales and lesser known trails that you might not have heard of!
The swimming holes of the Lower Kangaroo Creek are jaw-dropping. With crystal clear emerald water and high cliffs walls it feels like you could be somewhere in the wilds of the NT! They aren’t signposted but we’re sharing everything you need to know about how to get there in this post.
Goburra Pool is a gorgeous wild swimming hole in Sydney. Big enough to swim lengths and surrounded by bushland, it’s the perfect place to while away a sunny day. We’re sharing all the details on the pool, as well as another swimming spot just a short walk away.
Crystal Pool is a glorious and little known swimming hole in Royal National Park. We’re sharing how to get there as it’s not signposted, as well as what to expect when you do.
Royal National Park is full of beautiful waterfalls. We’re sharing our favourites from the more well known ones to some fantastic hidden gems and we’re not sitting on the fence about which are the best.
Engadine Falls is a hidden waterfall in Royal National Park. The falls are not signposted and do require a scramble to reach. We’re sharing directions and what to expect from the walk.
Deer Pools is a gorgeous wild swimming spot in Royal National Park. It’s easy to access, yet still feels lovely and secluded. We’re sharing everything you need to know about visiting, including details on the walking track and swimming at the pool.
Karloo Pools is one of the most incredible wild swimming spots near Sydney. With deep emerald water and a stunning bushland setting, it’s one of Royal National Park’s must dos. It can get busy, but if that’s the case on your visit we’re letting you in on the secret alternative swimming spots which are reached from Karloo Pools itself.
Curracurrang Falls is a hidden gem in Royal National Park: a picturesque waterfall with a gorgeous pool to swim in. It’s also blissfully quiet - primarily because it’s not signposted so no one would know its there. We’ll give you step by step instructions to get there, as well as a more scenic version of the walk to this beautiful oasis.
National Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Royal National Park. You can even walk behind the falls which is quite a novelty in Sydney! The upper falls are easy to access but the lower falls are less so and are not signposted. We’re covering everything you need to know about the upper and lower falls including difficulty and trail conditions.
The Palm Jungle Loop Track is one of the best walks in Royal National Park. With wild and wonderful jungle, a jaw dropping beach, and the chance to detour to the Figure of 8 Pool, this trail has it all. We’ll tell you what to expect from the track, including difficulty and logistics.
The Curra Moors Track is one of the best walks in Sydney to experience beautiful wildflowers. Spring and summer offer the best blooms but there are a few varieties out year round. You also get to visit the most beautiful waterfall in Sydney, as well as Royal National Park’s most iconic rock formation. We’re sharing all the details, including difficulty and trail conditions.
If you’re looking to walk one of the lesser known trails in Royal National Park, the Palona Cave track is a great choice. As well as walking through some gorgeous rainforest, you’ll also visit a large cave and hidden waterfall. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk.
If you’re looking for a short but spectacular walk in Royal National Park then the Garie Beach to North Era track is a great choice. You’ll visit three incredible beaches with the chance to spot wild wallabies along the way, as well as take in some truly beautiful views. Here’s what to expect on the trail.
Royal National Park has many of the best beaches in Sydney. Whatever you’re looking for you’ll find it here. Having visited all the beaches, we’re sharing the details on our favourites.
Werrong Beach is a wild and rugged beach in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you exactly what to expect on the hike down to the beach and what it is like when you get there.
How to plan the perfect day trip to Wattamolla. We’ll tell you about the best things to do, the mistakes you want to avoid and the hidden gems that most visitors miss out on at this stunning spot in Royal National Park.
Garie Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Royal National Park. It’s also the start of a fabulous walk up the headland and along the cliff tops to Eagle Head Rock and the Curracurrong Falls. Here’s what to expect from the trail and why we love to hike it at sunset.
If you’re a fan of escaping the crowds, head for the Couranga Track in Royal National Park. This beautiful forest walk offers the chance to wander through stunning rainforest in peace and tranquility. It also links up with another of our favourite walks in the park. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
Little Marley Beach in Royal National Park is one of our favourites in all of Sydney. There are a couple of spectacular hiking trails you can take to get there. We’ll tell you about our favourite which starts at Wattamolla.
There are three ways to get to Eagle Rock in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you about the most spectacular route and how it became one of our top Sydney experiences ever. We can guarantee you will be impressed!
Wedding Cake Rock is one of the most famous sights in Royal National Park. A vivid white cliff edge in a sea of yellow sandstone. It’s beauty and uniqueness has made it an Instagram sensation. But it’s not how it used to be. We’ll tell you the truth about a visit to Wedding Cake Rock in 2020.
How to find the secret Fisherman’s Cave in Royal National Park and what to expect from the walk.