Royal National Park Private Tour

Coastal Walks, Ancient Rainforest & Sea Cliff Bridge — South of Sydney

Just an hour south of Sydney, the Royal National Park protects 16,000 hectares of coastal and forest landscapes: lush rainforest, open heathland and sandstone cliffs dropping directly to the Pacific.

Headlands shaped by millions of years of wind and sea interrupt wild beaches, freshwater lagoons, waterfalls and rock formations. Inland, rainforest pockets shelter fern-lined creeks and lyrebirds. In winter and spring, the clifftop tracks become some of the best whale-watching vantage points in New South Wales.

This is a fully private day trip, just your group and your guide. The pace and itinerary are shaped entirely around your interests and fitness level.

Private Tour Pricing — Per Group
1 Guest
$1,350
2 Guests
$1,500
3 Guests
$1,650
4 Guests
$1,800
Private tour — your group only   Freshly prepared picnic lunch   Hotel pick-up and drop-off   Professional photos

Your Guide

Greg has been leading tours in the Royal National Park for eight years. He knows which cliff point gives the best chance of a whale sighting in June, where echidnas are likely to be foraging, and where to find the Botany Bay diamond weevil — one of Australia's most striking insects, found only in coastal heathland and invisible to most visitors. His knowledge of the park's geology, coastal ecology, birdlife and history goes well beyond what you'll find in a guidebook.

That kind of knowledge takes years to accumulate and changes what a day in the park feels like.

What You’ll Experience

Wattamolla
A waterfall drops directly into a lagoon which then becomes a stream meandering towards the beach — one of the park’s signature locations.

Eagle Rock
A sandstone headland where Curracurrong Creek plunges into the ocean below. The walk to reach it is one of the finest coastal tracks in NSW.

Wedding Cake Rock
A smooth white sandstone formation with a flat top overhanging the Pacific — dazzling on a clear day.

Bald Hill Lookout
Sweeping views of the Illawarra Escarpment and coastline. A regular launch point for hang gliders and paragliders.

Sea Cliff Bridge
A cantilevered road bridge curving around the cliff face above the Pacific, with outstanding ocean views.

Whale Watching (May–November)
Humpback whales migrate along this coastline in their thousands. Sightings of 20 or more whales in a day are common during peak season.

Birdlife
Over 240 species recorded. White-bellied sea eagles, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, little wattlebirds, Australian ravens and water birds along Audley Weir.

Wildflowers
August to October, the heathland blooms with waratahs, flannel flowers and native orchids.

Choose Your Day

Every Royal National Park private tour is fully flexible. These options give a sense of what’s possible — the day is shaped around your interests, fitness level and conditions.

Scenic

A relaxed day built around the park's most spectacular lookouts, beaches and coastal drives. Wattamolla lagoon, Bald Hill, Sea Cliff Bridge and an optional visit to Symbio Wildlife Park. Well suited to families and guests who prefer to take their time.

Walking: Short, easy walks only
Suitable for: All fitness levels, families, low-impact sightseeing

Coastal Walk

A balanced day combining a coastal walk with the park's key highlights. The clifftop track to Wedding Cake Rock follows the Pacific — around 90 minutes return, with outstanding views the entire way. Can be extended to include Marley Beach and lagoon.

Walking: Approx. 90–120 minutes total
Suitable for: Moderate fitness, iconic coastal scenery

Eagle Rock

The coastal track to Eagle Rock passes a pristine waterfall and clifftop lookouts before reaching the headland — where Curracurrong Creek drops 50 metres into the ocean below. One of the finest coastal walks in New South Wales.

Walking: Approx. 2.5-3 hours in total
Suitable for: Reasonable fitness, uneven coastal terrain

Guest Reviews

Greg's knowledge of the park and the trails is invaluable in making it a special experience. The coastal views were inspiring, the hike was awesome.
Molly J — Viator
We stopped counting the whales after 30. Waterfalls, lyrebird, swim, bridge — it was all fabulous. Absolutely brilliant.
nzp0ppy — TripAdvisor
He knew the best locations off the trail to stop — interesting rock formations, waterfalls, coloration in the rock. This tour was definitely a highlight of our time in Sydney.
Kami — TripAdvisor
I have traveled 24 countries and joined a lot of local tours. Greg's tour is one of the best I have ever joined.
KingNgai Y — Viator

Optional - Symbio Wildlife Park

Many guests choose to include Symbio as part of their Royal National Park day — it’s one of the best places near Sydney to see Australian wildlife up close, without the crowds of the larger zoos.

Symbio is home to koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, quokkas, echidnas, dingoes, emus, cassowaries and a wide range of native birdlife. The enclosures are open and natural, and the experience feels relaxed and personal.

A visit typically takes 60–90 minutes and fits naturally into the flow of the day. If you’d like to meet a koala, watch the keepers at work or spend time with free‑roaming kangaroos, this is the ideal place to do it.

If you prefer to not visit Symbio, we use that time to explore quieter beaches, rock platforms and coastal lookouts within the park.

Group Size
Private — your group only, 1 to 4 guests
Duration
Full day, approximately 9 to 10 hours, flexible
Pick-up
8:30am from your Sydney accommodation within 8km of the CBD, Central Station, or cruise wharf
Transport
Late-model SUV
Included
Private pick-up and drop-off
National Park entry fees
Freshly prepared picnic lunch
Snacks and bottled water throughout the day
Professional photos taken and shared after the tour
Greg as your private guide
Not Included
Symbio Wildlife Park entry — optional, paid on the day
Approximately $45 per person (adults)