Forest path
Royal National Park
Overview
Forest path is an easy walk in Royal National Park. It's great for kids and just 1 hour south of Sydney. Wander through cabbage tree palms and Gymea lilies on the path beside Bola Creek and the Hacking River.
- Distance
- 4.4km loop
- Time suggested
- 1hr - 1hr 30min
- Grade
- Grade 3
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- What to
bring - Drinking water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing
Forest path is one of the oldest walking tracks in Royal National Park and has a rich history. Start the walk from the stone gates on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, also the entrance point to Lady Carrington Drive. This almost-circular loop is suitable for walkers of all fitness levels and is a great one for the kids. Following Forest path, you’ll cross the lower slopes of Forest Island, a hill isolated by the Hacking River and Bola Creek which almost surround it.
Discover why the community protested for this beautiful rainforest area to be protected from logging, so many years ago. You'll pass a variety of native plants and flowers that are home to a range of birdlife. Marvel at the tall eucalypts and casuarinas, the dense thickets of cabbage tree palms and the Gymea lilies which flower during winter.
Unpack your picnic lunch at Bola Creek picnic area and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rainforest and the sounds of trickling water.
For a longer walk, the track also links up with Couranga walking track. Or, you can stop for a picnic at the nearby Upper Causeway picnic area too.
Take a virtual tour of Forest path captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Nearby
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Lady Carrington Drive
This historic cycling track near Audley and a short drive from Sydney follows the river and offers birdwatching, pretty picnic areas and history to explore.
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Upper Causeway picnic area
Upper Causeway picnic spot offers a lovely rustic base for walking and cycling in the forest along Lady Wakehurst Drive in Royal National Park, near Waterfall.
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Couranga walking track
Vivid wildflowers pepper this medium walking track near Waterfall. Only an hour from Sydney, it offers several picnic spots and birdwatching opportunities.
Google Street View Trekker
Using Google Street View Trekker, we've captured imagery across a range of NSW national parks and attractions. Get a bird's eye view of these incredible landscapes before setting off on your own adventure.
Conservation program:
Conservation and coastal engravings in Royal National Park
The conservation and coastal engravings project in the Royal National Park is working to preserve one of the region’s finest expressions of Aboriginal culture: the Jibbon Headland Aboriginal engravings. A new boardwalk and viewing platform limit the foot access that was damaging the engravings, while encroaching soil and vegetation are being removed.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- Royal National Park Visitor Centre
- 8.30am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 9542 0648
- 1300 072 757 for campground and cottage bookings
- npws.royal@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 2 Lady Carrington Drive, Audley, NSW 2232
Park info
- in Royal National Park in the Sydney and surrounds and South Coast regions
Royal National Park is open 7am to 8.30pm but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$12 per vehicle per day. Payment options include Audley Visitor Centre, vehicle entry stations, pay machines and the Park’nPay app.
Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day). Students on educational programs: $1.10 per student. Teachers/educational supervisors: free (1 adult per 10 students).
Buy annual pass
What's nearby:
Things to do (60)
- Aboriginal culture (3)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (20)
- Cafes and kiosks (2)
- Canoeing/paddling (7)
- Cycling (5)
- Fishing (5)
- Historic heritage (2)
- Horse riding (1)
- Other experiences (3)
- Photography (1)
- Picnics and barbecues (23)
- Sightseeing (21)
- Surfing (1)
- Swimming (9)
- Visitor centres (1)
- Walking (30)
- Waterfalls (9)
- Waterhole (1)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (7)