Best things to do in Royal National Park
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 hike, swim or a peaceful escape from the city, you’ll find it in Royal. Click on one of the links below to find your next adventure.
Find your next adventure in Royal National Park:
Wild Swimming
Miara Pool is a stunning little bush pool with clear water and sandy access. It’s surrounded by gum trees, kangaroo tails and pretty rock walls creating a serene and secluded water hole. We're sharing how to find it and what to expect when you do.
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.
We can’t get enough of wild swimming spots and Winifred Falls and South West Arm Pool are two of Sydney’s best. At just 500m apart they make for the perfect day out in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you what to expect from the trail and tips for your visit.
Everything you need to know about visiting Southwest Arm Pool, one of the most magical swimming spots in Royal National Park. From what you need to know about the tides, to what the off track portion of the walk is like.
Sydney is blessed with an abundance of incredible wild swimming spots just waiting to be discovered! Whether you are looking for waterholes big enough to swim laps in, or small secluded pools beneath waterfalls, we’ve got a spot you’ll love on this list. Here are the best wild swimming spots close to Sydney.
Olympic Pool is one of the most spectacular swimming holes in Royal National Park. We’re sharing the quickest route to get there, as well as the longer circuit route taking in several more pools.
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 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.
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.
Deer Pool 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.
Waterfalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Walks & Hidden Gems in Royal National Park
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!
A complete guide to the Jibbon Beach Loop Track - an easy, but incredibly beautiful walk in the heart of Royal National Park. We’ll tell you what to expect, how to get there and the highlights of one of our favourite short walks near Sydney.
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.
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!
A complete guide to the Uloola Track from Heathcote to Waterfall in Royal National Park. We’ll tell you why we love this trail, what to expect, where to find one of Sydney’s best wild swimming spots and all the logistics involved in doing this great bushwalk.
How to find the secret Fisherman’s Cave in Royal National Park and what to expect from the walk.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
It might surprise you to know that one of our favourite walks in Royal National Park is not by the coast but in the rainforest! The Forest Path is nothing short of magical. It’s full of mysterious plants and trees and it truly feels like another world. Here’s what to expect from the trail.
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.
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.