Royal National Park private day tour
COASTAL WALKS, SPECTACULAR LOOKOUTS, SEA CLIFF BRIDGE AND AUSSIE NATIVE ANIMALS
The Royal National Park, 32 km south of Sydney, is on the lands of the Dharawal people.
It is Australia’s oldest national park & on the Australian National Heritage List.
It is a uniquely beautiful area with picturesque beaches, heathland, freshwater pools, rainforests, waterfalls, cliffs, sand dunes, rock pools, windswept rock formations & Australian native flora and fauna including many bird species - a delight for birdwatchers!
We have three suggested day plans but we are happy to further customise day to suit your needs.
All of our tours are reserved for your group only and we work with you to achieve the best day possible. Day plans 2 and 3 include hikes whilst the first day plan has a few easy short walks.
DAY PLAN 1 - THE EASY RIDER
If you would prefer a less strenuous tour the Easy Rider is the one for you!
We do not include any long walks in this tour.
Day Plan 1 Itinerary
1. After picking you up at your accommodation we drive to the park and have a short stop at Audley Weir for a leg stretch and a meeting with local bird life.
2. Visit Wattamolla waterfall which is a wide waterfall that drops into a lagoon. The lagoon then forms into a stream and depending upon the movement of sand it ends up reaching the ocean or just short of it.
3. Drive through the park taking in the forest and rainforest – including an optional short walk in the rainforest
4. Arrive at Otford Lookout and appreciate the massive drop to the sea below
5. Nearby Bald Hill provides grand views of the Illawarra Escarpment and may have the added benefit of paragliding and hang gliding on display
6. Symbio Wildlife Park is one of the best places in Sydney to see native animals.
7. Sea Cliff Bridge is an impressive cantilevered bridge that curves around the coastline and provides a wonderful vantage point from which to see the ocean, rock platforms and imposing escarpment cliff face.
8. Imperial Hotel at Clifton is an historic hotel that has been cleverly renovated keeping the older features whilst blending a contemporary extension - cold beverage or coffee
We highly recommend Symbio if you would like to see native animals.
If you do not wish to visit Symbio Wildlife Park this gives us back around 90 minutes and provides time to visit an uncrowded nearby beach, ocean pool and interesting rock platform.
DAY PLAN 2 - WEDDING CAKE ROCK
This itinerary includes a walk to Wedding Cake Rock. This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness. It takes around 90 minutes return.
Wedding Cake Rock is white in colour, with a flat top and smooth edges and sides, giving it the look of a slice of wedding cake. The crack on the western side of the rock enhances the appearance of a sliced piece of cake.
It is most dazzling on a sunny day as the blue of the Pacific Ocean provides a perfect contrast to the white of the rock.
Day Plan 2 Itinerary
1. Short stop at Bundeena to see Horderns Beach and the Bundeena Wharf
2. Walk to Wedding Cake Rock
3. Visit Wattamolla waterfall, lagoon and beach and Providential Point
4. stop at Bald Hill and appreciate the view, and we may, subject to the conditions, see hang gliders and para gliders
5. Symbio Wildlife Park or we can visit Sea Cliff Bridge and the Imperial at Clifton Hotel. Time permitting we may also visit a local beach south of Sea Cliff Bridge.
The walk to Wedding Cake Rock can be extended to include Marley Beach, sand dunes and lagoon. This extension to the walk requires another half an hour walking in total.
If you are not sure we can talk through this option on the day.
Inclusions
Hotel pick up and drop off provided your accommodation is within 8km radius of Sydney CBD. If you are further away we normally pick up from Central Railway Station. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss further
snacks
bottled water
national park entrance fees
delicious lunch
photos using mirrorless camera, emailed to you
Exclusions
$42 entrance fee to Symbio Wildlife Park
DAY PLAN 3 - EAGLE ROCK
Eagle Rock is our longest walk taking around 1 hour and fifteen minutes each way. Only consider this option if you are interested in a serious walk and are reasonably fit.
The effort will be well rewarded. On the way to Eagle Rock we will stop at a pristine small waterfall and a lookout that provides outstanding coastal views.
Upon reaching Eagle Rock we admire the crystal clear Curracurrong Creek as it reaches the cliff edge and drops directly into the ocean below.
The ocean bay below the waterfall is shallow and if sunny the ocean water takes on a translucent green color. When the surf is up you'll hear the pounding waves hit the cliff face below.
After enjoying our time at Eagle Rock (including photos taken by your guide - his camera or yours) we return to Wattamolla for a refreshing lunch of sandwiches and salad prepared by your guide.
Day Plan 3 Itinerary
Walk to Eagle Rock
Drive through the park and enjoy the lush rainforest
Stop at Bald Hill and appreciate the view of Stanwell Tops Beach and the Illawarra Escarpment. We may, subject to the conditions, see hang gliders and para gliders
Visit Sea Cliff Bridge, which is a spectacular cantilevered bridge that has great curves and provides outstanding views of the surrounding areas including several massive rock platforms.
Drop in at the Imperial Hotel at Clifton for a coffee or cold drink
Short stop at an off the beaten track local beach
The other option is to visit Symbio Wildlife Park.
Get in touch and we can design a day plan.
Alternatively we can work the itinerary out as we go on the day.
Click on the blog link below if you would like to read more about Eagle Rock.
https://www.sydneynimbletours.com.au/journal/eagle-rock-royal-national-park-walk
Symbio Wildlife Park
Symbio Wildlife Park has numerous native animals.
The koalas awake from their slumber at 3.00pm when a presentation is held.
Other native animals that can be seen include kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, cockatoos, wedge tailed eagles, emus, cassowaries, goannas, little penguins, echidnas and Tasmanian devils.
Symbio also has an unusual collection of monkeys, (Tamarin and Marmoset monkeys from Central and South America) a reptile exhibit, red pandas, meerkats and more.
A rare albino wallaby joey now resides with the other wallabies and kangaroos at Symbio. If you would like to find out more about Olaf, our blog provides more information:
https://www.sydneynimbletours.com.au/journal/olaf
All Tours are private
As with all of our tours this tour is for your group only. You will not be slowed down by others outside of your group and because it is your group only the day is flexible - plans are made to be changed.
Your guide may make suggestions to improve the day based on what you want to see.
All tours include pick up and drop off at your accommodation.
Transportation is a new Honda SUV.
Length and pick up
Around 9 – 10 hours – the time spent at each place is flexible so the day can progress at a pace that suits you. If you would like to shorten the day to 8 hours we can do this but generally the day takes at least 9 hours.
Pick up is at 8.30am from your lodgings and we return to your accommodation around 6.00pm. Let us know if you would like to vary the pick-up and return time. Wharf pick-up is also available.