The start of the Royal National Park lies only 32 kilometres south of the city of Sydney. This park was established in 1879, making it the oldest national park in Australia and the second oldest in the world.
Only Yellowstone National Park in the U.S.A. is older. It offers great natural diversity in a relatively small area, with rivers, surf beaches, and a coastal walk as well as many other inland walks and several cycling tracks.
Most can be completed within half a day, but the coastal walk is 26 kilometres, including some difficult sections, and really needs two days. There is a youth hostel at Garie, about two-thirds of the way along the track from north to south.
To reach the Royal National Park, take a train to Loftus, Engadine, Heathcote, Waterfall, Helensburgh or Otford stations, all of which are adjacent to the park. From Loftus, there is a tram service on Sundays, or you can walk to the Visitor Centre.
Trains run from Bondi Junction, King’s Cross and Central as far as Waterfall every half hour.
