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Garie Beach picnic area

Royal National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

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. 

Type
Picnic areas
Entry fees
Park entry fees apply
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, lunch, sunscreen

You’ll love this quick holiday fix just an hour or so from Sydney. Pack a picnic, herd up the clan and get down there nice and early to grab a great spot at Garie Beach in Royal National Park. It's also a popular spot for hikers exiting The Coast Track

Head to the beach for a spot of whale watching in winter or for the feel of warm salt water on your skin and surf the waves in the warmer months. The beach is patrolled by Surf Life Savers intermittently during summer. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at some beach fishing.

It’s an ideal spot for birdwatching, so bring the binoculars for a chance to glimpse an albatross, sea eagle, or peregrine falcon as they cruise on the updraft from coastal breezes.

After lunch, explore the rainforest gullies around the beach where cabbage tree palms and ferns provide a shady spot. Be sure to take in the view from Governor Game lookout before leaving.

Take a virtual tour of Garie Beach picnic area captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • 2 people walking through a low shrub along The Coast track with the coastline of Royal National Park in the background. Credit: David Finnegan / DCCEEW © OEH

    The Coast track

    The Coast track in Sydney's Royal National Park is an epic multi-day walk between Bundeena and Otford. Enjoy incredible coastal lookouts, swimming spots, seasonal wildflowers and whale watching along this challenging track.

Things to do:

Royal National Park Visitor Centre

Make a beeline for Royal National Park Visitor Centre at Audley on your trip to Sydney's Royal National Park. It offers excellent tourist information and walking track maps.

NPWS staff and visitors using the computers at Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Royal National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell © OEH

 

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Hand holding a phone with NSW National Parks app on screen. Photo: Branden Bodman/DPIE

General enquiries

Operated by

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.

  • 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). Teachers/educational supervisors: free (1 adult per 10 students).

    Buy annual pass
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