Royal National Park Private Day Tour

Explore Australia's oldest national park on a private day trip from Sydney
See Wedding Cake Rock, Eagle Rock, coastal walks, pristine beaches, and native wildlife with an expert local guide.

Why Choose This Royal National Park Tour

Located just 32km south of Sydney on the traditional lands of the Dharawal people, the Royal National Park is Australia's oldest national park and a place of remarkable natural beauty.

This private day tour takes you beyond the typical tourist spots to explore dramatic coastal cliffs, secluded beaches, lush rainforests, and iconic landmarks like Wedding Cake Rock and the Sea Cliff Bridge.

What makes this tour different:

• Completely private – just your group, no strangers

• Fully flexible itinerary – tailored to your interests and fitness level

• Expert local guide – with deep knowledge of the park's wildlife, geology, and hidden gems

• Small details matter – freshly prepared lunch, professional photos included, comfortable transportation

Whether you want an easy scenic drive with short walks, a moderate coastal hike to Wedding Cake Rock, or a challenging trek to Eagle Rock's dramatic ocean waterfall, your day is designed around you.

Choose Your Royal National Park Experience

Every tour is private and flexible. These options are starting points – your guide will adapt the day based on weather, your interests, and how the day unfolds.

Not sure which suits you best? We can discuss options before your tour or decide together on the day.

Option 1: Relaxed Scenic Day (Easy Walking)

Best for: Families, seniors, anyone preferring minimal walking with maximum scenery

Experience the Royal National Park's highlights without strenuous hikes. This option focuses on stunning lookouts, coastal landmarks, and short easy walks.

Typical highlights include:

• Audley Weir – riverside birdwatching and native water birds

• Wattamolla – impressive waterfall cascading into a sheltered lagoon

• Garie Beach – the park's largest beach with dramatic headlands

• Otford Lookout – breathtaking cliff-edge views plunging to the ocean

• Bald Hill – sweeping coastal panoramas, often with paragliders soaring overhead

• Sea Cliff Bridge – the iconic cantilevered bridge hugging the coastline

• Optional: Symbio Wildlife Park – close encounters with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and more (see details below)

• Optional: Imperial Hotel, Clifton – historic oceanfront hotel perfect for refreshments

If you skip Symbio Wildlife Park, we gain 60 minutes to explore a quiet local beach, ocean pool, or interesting rock platform away from crowds.

Option 2: Coastal Walks & Wedding Cake Rock (Moderate)

Best for: Active travelers wanting beautiful walks without all-day hiking

This balanced itinerary combines the park's most photogenic coastal walk with scenic stops and wildlife encounters.

The Wedding Cake Rock walk takes approximately 90 minutes return and requires reasonable fitness. The reward? One of Sydney's most spectacular natural formations – a brilliant white rock platform perched above the Pacific Ocean, looking exactly like a slice of layered wedding cake.

On sunny days, the contrast between the white rock and vivid blue ocean is absolutely stunning.

Typical highlights include:

• Bundeena village – charming coastal settlement with Horderns Beach and historic wharf

• Wedding Cake Rock walk – coastal heath, clifftop views, and the famous rock formation

• Wattamolla – waterfall, lagoon, beach, and Providential Point

• Bald Hill – coastal escarpment views, possible hang gliders and paragliders

• Choose either: Symbio Wildlife Park OR Sea Cliff Bridge + Imperial Hotel + local beach

Optional extension: The Wedding Cake Rock walk can be extended to include Marley Beach with its sweeping sand dunes and tranquil lagoon. This adds approximately 30 minutes total walking time. We can discuss this option on the day based on your energy levels and interests.

Option 3: Eagle Rock Coastal Hike (Challenging)

Best for: Fit hikers wanting Sydney's most spectacular coastal walk

The Eagle Rock walk is the Royal National Park's hidden gem – a remote 2.5-hour return hike rewarded with one of the most dramatic scenes on the NSW coast.

Only choose this option if you enjoy serious walking and are reasonably fit. The track includes elevation changes, uneven terrain, and requires good mobility.

Why it's worth the effort:

At Eagle Rock, Curracurrong Creek flows to the cliff edge and plunges directly into the ocean below. The shallow bay beneath glows translucent green on sunny days. When the surf is up, you'll hear waves pounding the cliff face far below.

Along the way, you'll encounter:

• A pristine hidden waterfall

• Dramatic coastal lookouts

• Lush rainforest sections

After the hike, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at Wattamolla while your guide shares insights about the park's ecology and Indigenous heritage.

Typical highlights include:

• Eagle Rock walk – remote coastal wilderness and spectacular ocean waterfall

• Rainforest drive through the park's lush interior

• Bald Hill – Stanwell Tops Beach and Illawarra Escarpment views

• Sea Cliff Bridge – spectacular engineering with sweeping ocean panoramas

• Imperial Hotel, Clifton – refreshments with ocean views

• Off-the-beaten-track local beach

Alternative: Symbio Wildlife Park instead of coastal stops (discuss on the day)

About the Royal National Park

Established in 1879, the Royal National Park is the world's second-oldest national park (after Yellowstone) and Australia's first.

Listed on the Australian National Heritage List, the park protects 16,000 hectares of diverse ecosystems:

• Coastal cliffs and beaches – dramatic sandstone formations carved by ocean and wind

• Heathland – wildflowers bloom spectacularly in spring

• Rainforest pockets – lush, green, ancient

• Freshwater pools and waterfalls – hidden swimming spots and cascades

• Sand dunes and rock platforms – constantly reshaped by nature

The park is especially rich in birdlife – over 241 species have been recorded, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Your guide will help identify local species including rosellas, cockatoos, kookaburras, honeyeaters, sea eagles, and various water birds.