Guided nature walk: Bonnie Vale
Royal National Park
Overview
Join a NPWS guide for an immersive nature experience in Royal National Park. Setting out from Bonnie Vale campground, you’ll explore coastal bush and mangroves or the beach and rocky shore.
- When
2024
Saturday 28 December 2024, 3.30pm to 5pm. Arrive at 3.20pm.
2025
Tour time: 8.15am to 9.45am. Arrive at 8.05am.
Tour dates:
Saturday 4 January, 11 January, 18 January, 25 January and Saturday 1 February 2025
Saturday 12 April, 19 April and 26 April 2025
Saturday 5 July, 12 July and 19 July 2025
Saturday 27 September and Saturday 4 October 2025.
- Where
- Bonnie Vale campground
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Grade
- Easy. Suitable for all ages. All activities take place on flat grass tracks or sand. You’ll walk short distances and squat or reach to pick up objects.
- Price
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Adult $10 per person. Concession $8 per person. Child (5 to 16 years) $5 per person. Children under 5 free. Family (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) $20. Children must be accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian aged over 18 years).
- Entry fees
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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).
- Meeting point
- Bonnie Vale campground, next to the boom gate entrance.
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
Get a deeper appreciation for Royal National Park’s stunning coastal environment when you join this guided bushwalk. If you love nature and learning about the history of natural areas, this walk is for you.
Meet your expert NPWS guide at Bonnie Vale campground – a picturesque riverside environment surrounded by tidal flats. Depending on the tides, the tour will take you along mangrove tracks or to the nearby shoreline. You'll discover local birdlife and observe beach critters in their natural habitat. Your guide will take you to some special spots to show you a range of sea and shore birds, pointing out the birds' favourite foods and more.
Whether you're camping at Bonnie Vale or just visiting for the day, this tour a great way to learn more about the natural and cultural heritage of this special park.
Please wear enclosed shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and drinking water.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/guided-nature-walk-bonnie-vale/local-alerts
Bookings
- 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
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
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.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Guided nature walk: Bonnie Vale.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Bonnie Vale campground is in the Bundeena area of Royal National Park. To get there from Audley:
- Drive across Audley Weir and continue along Sir Bertram Stevens Drive for around 10km
- Turn left onto Bundeena Drive and continue to Bundeena
- As you enter the town, turn left onto Sea Breeze Lane and follow the signs.
Think about car pooling to Bonnie Vale as visitor numbers in these areas often exceed available parking. Alternatively, take the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena wharf. It's a 15min walk along a track to the entrance.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at the Bonnie Vale picnic area. Cost is $12 per vehicle per day. Payment options include pay machines, Park ‘n’ Pay App or Audley Visitor Centre.
Ferry)
Take the ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena wharf. It’s a 15-minute walk along a track to Bonnie Vale picnic area.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- Activities can be easily adapted to take place on flat terrain, including unsealed pathways and grassed areas.
- Some assistance may be required to access the grassed area and beach.
- Accessible toilets are available in the picnic area.
- Hippocamp available for complimentary use. Please let us know in advance if you'll need to use this.
Visitor centre
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Royal National Park Visitor Centre
2 Lady Carrington Drive, Audley, NSW 2232 - 8.30am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 9542 0648
- 1300 072 757 for campground and cottage bookings
Learn more
Guided nature walk: Bonnie Vale is in Royal National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
A date with history
When exploring Royal National Park you can see a range of Aboriginal sites and artefacts. The best way to find out more about Aboriginal cultural heritage in the park is on a tour with an Aboriginal Discovery ranger. You might also spot one of the 80 historic remnants from the park’s Victorian-era establishment, including ornamental trees and residential remains.
- Audley heritage tour Take a guided tour through the historic Audley Valley, in the heart of Royal National Park. You’ll explore heritage-listed buildings and learn how this popular day trip destination came to be.
- 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.
- 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.
A place to get active
Who needs a gym? At Royal National Park you can hike, swim and row to your heart’s content. Hire a paddleboat from the Audley boatshed or surf the renowned Garie Beach. Jog along sandstone cliffs, attempt over 100km of walking tracks or try mountain biking the East Heathcote trails (be sure to note the ‘no sign–no ride’ policy). Located at Audley, just 32km from Sydney city, the park offers incredible beauty and natural diversity just minutes from the highway and train station. Spanning Port Hacking to Helensburgh, the park features multiple entry points and is well signposted, though it’s always a good idea to take a Royal National Park map.
- Audley boatshed Hire a kayak and spend a few relaxed hours paddling up Kangaroo Creek from Audley Boatshed in Royal National Park, near Loftus.
- Bundeena Drive to Marley walk This rewarding walk from Bundeena Drive to Little Marley Beach leads through heath, past fresh water pools and creeks, and on to scenic beach views in Royal National Park.
- Bush playgroup activities in Sydney’s south Join Bush Play School for a day of creativity in Sydney’s south. Their nature play activities are a great way for kids to learn about the world around them.
- Garie Beach picnic area A perfect day out, Garie Beach is a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic and is great for swimming, whale watching, fishing, surfing and walking options.
- Junior Ranger: Royal National Park Kids can become Junior Rangers when they visit Royal National Park these school holidays. Our fun and guided interactive activities are designed for children 6 to 12 years.
Exceptional environments
The park was one of Australia’s first areas of land set aside for conservation. In this natural haven, open ocean, sandstone cliffs and wetlands meet grassy woodland, rainforests, coastal heathland and eucalypt forests. You’ll also find some significant geological sites, including fascinating beach ridges at Cabbage Tree Basin.
- Bundeena to Wattamolla guided coastal walks Delight your senses on this coastal adventure run by M8 Explorer. With their knowledgeable and safety-conscious guides, explore beautiful coastline on a 4hr hike in the Royal National Park, beginning and ending with stops for delicious meals.
- Curra Moors loop track A challenging walk through heath and waterfalls, the Curra Moors loop track offers scenic sandstone cliff and coastal views, waterfalls and great birdwatching.
- Figure Eight Pools adventure with M8 Explorer Awaken your inner explorer with an exciting tour of Figure Eight Pools in Royal National Park. Start with a paddle down the Hacking River before trekking down to the pools to discover amazing rock formations, wildlife and spectacular coastal scenery.
- Guided forest therapy walk in Royal National Park Slow down and de-stress in Sydney’s beautiful Royal National Park on this guided forest therapy walk with Nature Being Australia.
- Palm Jungle loop track A challenging yet spectacular walk, Palm Jungle loop track takes in rainforest, cliff tops, beaches and scenic coastal views in Royal National Park, near Otford.
Home to the feathered and furry
Many visitors regularly spot native wildlife in the Hacking River Valley area, so keep an eye out for possums, sugar gliders and wallabies. This Sydney park is also home to a huge number of bats, amphibians and reptiles. Plus, birdwatchers are in luck - over 300 bird species have been recorded here, look out for sulphur-crested cockatoos, crimson rosellas, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets.
- Biophysical interactions at Wattamolla Senior students will hone their fieldwork skills in this Stage 6 (Years 11-12) Geography excursion at Wattamolla. Located in Royal National Park, Wattamolla offers students a complex site to study biophysical interactions.
- Birds of Providential Point self-guided audio tour Discover native birdlife on this self-guided audio tour to beautiful Providential Point near Wattamolla in Royal National Park. You’ll walk through sun-dappled coastal forest and grassy glades as you learn about local birds and hear their calls.
- 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.
- Figure Eight Pools adventure with M8 Explorer Awaken your inner explorer with an exciting tour of Figure Eight Pools in Royal National Park. Start with a paddle down the Hacking River before trekking down to the pools to discover amazing rock formations, wildlife and spectacular coastal scenery.
- Forest path 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.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
Plants
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Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)
The beautiful waratah is not only the NSW floral emblem, it's also one of the best-known Australian native plants. This iconic Australian bush flower can be found on sandstone ridges around Sydney, in nearby mountain ranges and on the NSW South Coast. The waratah has a vibrant crimson flowerhead, measuring up to 15cm across, and blossoms in spring.
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Cabbage palm (Livistona australis)
With glossy green leaves spanning 3-4m in length and a trunk reaching a height of up to 30m, the cabbage tree palm, or fan palm, is one of the tallest Australian native plants. Thriving in rainforest margins along the east coast of NSW, in summer this giant palm produces striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages.
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Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa)
The magnificent Gymea lily is one of the most unusual Australian native plants, found only along the coast and surrounding bushland of the Sydney Basin, from Newcastle to Wollongong. In spring this giant lily shoots out spectacular red flowers that can reach heights of 2-4m.
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Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)
An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.
Environments in this park
Education resources (1)
School excursions (12)
- The earth's environment at Wattamolla, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- Biophysical interactions at Wattamolla, Stage 6 (Years 11-12), Geography
- Living world wet and dry environments, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Science and Technology
- The Australian colonies at Jibbon Beach, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), History
- Community and remembrance at Jibbon Beach, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), History
- Environmental change and management at Wattamolla, Stage 5 (Years 9-10), Geography
- Past in the present at Jibbon Beach, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), History
- The earth's environment at Audley, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- Places are similar and different, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- Living world WildTracker at Audley, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Science and Technology
- WildThings at Audley, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Science and Technology
- A local ecosystem at Bonnie Vale, Stage 6 (Years 11-12), Biology