This is the second oldest national park in the world. Only Yellowstone is older. In 2001, 60% of Royal National Park was burned in a massive bushfire. The park has since made a good recovery and offers plenty of walks, surfing beaches, rainforest cycle tracks and great views.

The park has a two day hiking track, row boats and picnic lawns at Audley, a cycling trail beside the Hacking River, and plenty of wild life and native flora. There are camping and fishing spots.

You can reach a great secret beach here. It's called Jibbon Beach, a wide sandy strip great for romantics, families, and those out for a true Australian experience - cricket on the beach. At the eastern end of the beach is a bush track that'll take you to Aboriginal rock engravings. Snakes come out on hot days so be careful.

Jibbon beach is off Neil Street in Bundeena. Bring your own shade, food and water. 

Cost: $11 per car into the national park.

www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au


GETTING THERE


The easiest way to reach the park is by car. The main entrance is on Farnell Ave, off the Princes Hwy. Entry fees apply. A visitor centre just beyond the main entrance offers plenty of information.

You can also reach the park by train. Take the Waterfall line, which heads south of the city, and get off at Loftus. Then, take the tram from Loftus to the Visitor Centre. Trams run Wednesdays 10am – 3pm, and Sundays and Public Holidays 10am – 5pm.
www.cityrail.info

Otherwise, you can take some walking tracks from the following train stations: Engadine, Heathcote and Waterfall.

For further information on directions: go to www.whereis.com/whereis/directions.do