Royal National Park Archives - Destination's Journey

15 June 202310 June 2023

Palona Cave Walk

Located in the Royal National Park, near Sydney the Palona Cave Walk is a short and easy bush walk. It takes you through beautiful temperate rainforest to a large limestone cave and a cascading waterfall.

Getting There

We drove to Royal National Park, arriving just after sunrise, so that we could catch the sunrise. Parking at the intersection of Lady Carrington Drive and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive was easy as only two other cars were there. On our return though, it was full, and many cars were parked along the road. Access to the National Park is charged per vehicle and you can pay at the entrance gate or main office. If you plan to visit several parks during the year, an annual pass is available from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Track

Starting at the car park the historic Lady Carrington Drive trail leads into the forest. This is a wide and well-maintained dirt trail that follows the course of the Hacking River. Originally a road, it was closed and is now a dedicated bike and hiking trail. The trail takes you through temperate rain forest and our early morning start meant that it was quiet and peaceful.

After about 750 m, we reached the junction with the Forest Path, which is another scenic walk in the park. From here we continued along Lady Carrington Drive to Palona Cave track.

Toadstools and moss growing in an old tree stump — Sunrise at the start of the track

Palona Cave

After another 1 km, a sign for Limestone Cave on the left side of the track points off to the right. Unfortunately, a tree now obscures it, so keep a look out as the path to the cave is easy to miss, being very narrow. If you reach the Palona Brook crossing, you have gone too far. From here you leave the main trail and follow a narrow bush track that leads uphill to Palona Cave. The track is rough and rocky in places, so watch your step. When we visited it was also very overgrown and disappeared in several spots.

Palona Cave is a large overhang with stalactites and stalagmites formed by water dripping through the limestone rock. You can explore the cave and see the different shapes and colours of the formations. There is also a small stream that flows next to the cave and forms a waterfall. We were lucky it had rained recently because this creek is often dry.

This was a great walk with the reward of a waterfall and cave at the end. Remember to wear good boots as the second part of the track is rough. At around 5.3km return, it took us around two and a half hours, with plenty of stops for photos and cave exploring.

Sign to the cave track. Hidden behind the tree.

A fallen tree on the walk Palona Cave Walk — Sign to the cave track. Hidden behind the tree.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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4 July 20214 July 2021

Eagle Rock Royal National Park

Eagle Rock in Royal National Park

Getting There

There are several ways to get to Eagle Rock, but we chose to start from Wattamolla car park. With great parking and toilet facilities, its a good place to start and finish the walk. A daily entry fee per car is payable and a ticket can be purchase in the carpark from a vending machine.

The Track

From the carpark, follow the coast track through coastal scrub and amazing ocean views. The 45 minute walk is generally flat, but there are several section with steep steps to climb. When we walked, the track was in excellent condition, with much of it on formed board walk. Steps are made of sandstone, carved into the slopes, while some areas travel over bare rocks. Where no track is obvious, like over rocks, it is well sign posted, making it easy to follow.

Several small creeks are crossed along the way, with steppingstones made from carved sandstone.

Flat Section of the Coastal Track Through Coastal Scrub

Board Walk on the Coastal Track Through Coastal Scrub — Flat Section of the Coastal Track Through Coastal Scrub

Coastal Views

The track passes coastal cliffs with magnificent ocean views, where we stopped to take photos and admire the scenery. The cliffs are high, so stay away from the edges. During the whale migration season, this is a favourite place for people to watch them going by.

Eagle Rock

One of the iconic sites in Royal National Park, Eagle Rock looks out over the ocean creating a great silhouette for photos. The path widens slightly when you are opposite, so that you can stop and take photos without blocking the path.

Water Falls

Curracurrong Creek forms a small waterfall that plunges into the ocean near Eagle Rock adding another interesting sight when it’s flowing after rain.

Curracurrong Creek Waterfall Near Eagle Rock — The Curracurrong Creek Waterfall

What did We Think of Eagle Rock?

This was a very enjoyable walk, with the track moving from coastal scrub to rugged coastal cliffs, with amazing views. With the waterfall and Eagle Rock at the end you get more interesting sights to see, making for a great day out.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

18 January 202029 March 2022

Karloo Pools Track Royal National Park

Karloo Pools Track

Getting There

Heathcote railway station is a great place to start the Karloo Pools Track, having ample car parking, or providing easy access from Sydney’s rail network.

We chose to use the train from Central Station, which was a quick and convenient trip taking just under an hour.

From the train station, walk through the car park, past the Sutherland Shire Rural Fire Brigade building to the start of the track.

Information Board at the Start of the Track

The Karloo Pools Walking Track

NSW Parks and Wildlife maintain the track and manage the Royal National Park. They give the track a rating of three, meaning that it is well sign posted, with some steep areas and unformed paths and is moderately challenging.

Compared to other grade 3 and 4 tracks we have walked, this would be at the high end of grade 3. Several steep areas also had steep slopes adjacent to the track, so care was needed not to slip down.

The walk starts with an easy walk through eucalyptus forest, passing the outskirts of Heathcote before descending through the valley. In places you need to climb over rocks, but the scenery is amazing and worth the effort.

Climbing up to opposite valley, you are rewarded with views over the National Park. From here the track descends to the Karloo Pools.

Upper Flat Section of the Track in Eucalypt Forest

Steep Section of the Track — Upper Flat Section of the Track in Eucalypt Forest

Karloo Pools

Surrounded by forest and rock outcrops the pool’s setting is picturesque and rewards your hour’s walk to get there. Whether you want to relax in the shade, swim in the pool or sit on the rocks, it’s a great place to enjoy lunch.

This is a popular swimming hole, it is often crowded particularly in summer, so be prepared to share it with others. Although we only saw a few people on the walking track, several dozen were there when we arrived around 10:30am.

We relaxed there after the walk, had lunch and spent time taking photos before walking back to the train station.

Kangaroo Creek next to Karloo Pools — Karloo Pools

What Did We Think?

We thoroughly enjoyed the walk and pools, as it was a little challenging, with a great reward. Remember to wear good walking shoes, because you will need them in some of the more difficult places. There is no lifeguard on duty so take care when swimming and supervise children. It is also important to check the the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s page, because the park may be closed, or warnings in place.

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Tag: Royal National Park

Palona Cave Walk

Palona Cave Walk

Getting There