Visit the second oldest national park in the world
From its beautiful laid-back beaches, to its soaring coastal cliffs, groves of gums, stunning waterfalls and Instagrammable swimming holes, Royal National Park on Dharawal Country in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire is an accessible escape from the city. The Nasho, as it is affectionately known, covers more than 15,000 hectares and hugs Australia’s east coastline from the Port Hacking River to its southernmost tip in Otford, one of Wollongong’s northern suburbs. As the country’s first official national park (second only to Yellowstone in the world), it offers up opportunities for surfing, fishing, barbecuing, hiking and bushwalking. While you can access the park via a scenic route that corkscrews through the park from Loftus to the Audley Weir, you can also drive to Cronulla and board the historic Tom Thumb ferry bound for Bundeena-Maianbar to visit the community of artists who live on the fringes of the national park. Once ensconced in the park, you can explore Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks, hire a rowboat and explore the river, see Indigenous rock art near Jibbon Beach and enjoy coffee and cake at Audley Dance Hall Cafe, all just a step away from full-blown wilderness. Download your digital NSW National Park pass before your visit.
It’s about 42 kilometres from DISTANCE: Sydney’s CBD to the Royal National Park.
Skip back to Sydney or make a night of STAY: it; you can stay in the Royal National Park in one of three historic homesteads: Weemalah Cottage, Hilltop Cottage and Reids Flat Cottage. Or lush it up in The Periscope House.