Coast-to-country private tours south of Sydney

Morton National Park

Water cascades over the top of a cliff at Fitzroy Falls. Photo credit: John Yurasek © DPIE

Overview

Escape Sydney’s hustle and bustle and dive into one of New South Wales’ most spectacular day trips. Dramatic coastlines meet lush countryside on this unforgettable private adventure with the friendly guides at Runaway Tours.

When: Contact Runaway Tours for tour schedule.
Where: Morton National Park in South Coast, Country NSW
Accessibility: Medium
Grade: Easy
Price: Contact Runaway Tours for pricing.
Bookings: Bookings required. Book online or email or call Runaway Tours on 0410 545 117.
Please note: Runaway Tours tailors experiences to suit group size and customer preferences.

Experience outstanding natural and historic highlights on this action-packed day out with Runaway Tours’ professional guides. You'll travel south from Sydney along Grand Pacific Drive, where every turn reveals breathtaking ocean views.

Walk the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge as it curves out over the water and search for marine life below. Stop in charming seaside towns like Thirroul and Kiama to experience a mix of café culture, coastal history and the famous Kiama Blowhole.

Then your private tour heads inland to traverse completely new environments. Wind through rainforest-lined roads into the misty beauty of Kangaroo Valley. Then stretch your legs and listen out for lyrebird calls on a gentle walk to Fitzroy Falls, a stunning waterfall hidden in Morton National Park.

Continue through the rolling landscapes of the Southern Highlands, keeping an eye out for wild kangaroos, before heading back to Sydney after a full day of exploration.

Runaway Tours is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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/coast-to-country-private-tours-south-of-sydney/local-alerts

Operated by

Runaway Tours
0410 545 117
escape@runawaytours.com.au
PO Box 172, Croydon, NSW 2132

Park info

in Morton National Park in the South Coast and Country NSW regions
Morton National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

Parts of the south-eastern area of this park were once used for military training and may contain unexploded artillery shells. These areas have restrictions in place for your safety.
Park entry fees:

Fitzroy Falls: $4 per vehicle per day. Bundanoon area: $8 per vehicle per day. The park has pay machines - cash and cards accepted.
Buy annual pass (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Coast-to-country private tours south of Sydney.

Getting there and parking

Contact Runaway Tours for directions.

Parking

Contact Runaway Tours for information on parking.

Maps and downloads

Coast-to-country private tours south of Sydney factsheet

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

Guests must have their own carer to assist them with getting on and off the tour vehicle.

Visitor centre

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre
1301 Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls NSW 2577
9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
02 4887 8270

Learn more

Coast-to-country private tours south of Sydney is in Morton National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A rugged beauty

West Rim walking track, Morton National Park. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

Morton National Park envelops you in its fascinating landscape. Roam through rainforest on the Kangaroo Valley escarpment. Or relax on your picnic blanket, shaded by tall eucalyptus trees - the park has everything from Sydney peppermint to spotted gum and the rare Pigeon House Ash. The park's geological features are equally captivating. Detect different rock types in the cliff face, or find a good vantage point and gaze at the plateau carved with deep gorges. Absorbing the gorges sheer size, coupled with their interesting terraced appearance, can keep you occupied for hours.

Badgerys Spur walking track Badgerys Spur walking track in Morton National Park offers a steep and challenging hike on the edge of Ettrema Wilderness Area, finishing on the banks of Shoalhaven River.
Big canoe tour in Morton National Park Grab your friends and take to the waterways of Morton National Park on a guided canoeing tour with Valley Outdoors. You’ll cruise on lakes and rivers in a 9-metre voyageur canoe.
Castle summit guided overnight hike Conquer the Castle summit on this challenging overnight bushwalk with Epiphany Tours in Morton National Park. You’ll hike through remote landscapes and camp under the stars.
Fitzroy Falls nature tour Experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Fitzroy Falls on this guided nature walk. It’s an unforgettable Southern Highlands activity.
Granite Falls walking track The easy Granite Falls walking track in Morton National Park, near Nowra, offers scenic waterfall views with springtime wildflowers. Enjoy a picnic by the lookout.
Guided hike to the Castle summit Journey to the summit of the Castle with Big Nature Adventures and experience the raw beauty of Morton National Park. You’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Budawang Range on this challenging hike.
Self-guided paddling experiences Leave the world behind and paddle away for half, full or multi-day river adventures along breathtaking gorges in Morton National Park with kayaks and canoes supplied by Kangaroo Valley Safaris.
South Coast wildlife, waterfalls and wine tour Local Travel Planner’s big day out takes in stunning valleys, beaches and waterfalls south of Sydney. It’s also a great way to see native animals and sample delicious local food and wine.

Rich Aboriginal history

View of Morton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

Morton National Park is the traditional Country of the Yuin people. Several hundred Aboriginal sites have been recorded here and there are likely many more. The park's imposing mountains, particularly Didthul, are particularly significant in Aboriginal mythology, as is the majestic Fitzroy Falls. The park's plateau and surrounding country also contain sites of great importance to Aboriginal people, whose occupation of the area dates back over 20,000 years.

Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre The award-winning Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre offers information on the region’s local Aboriginal culture, wildlife and birdwatching, in the Southern Highlands.
Then and now: Aboriginal culture Then and now: Aboriginal culture is a Stage 2 (Years 3-4) school excursion at Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, focusing on HSIE. Through story and creative expression, the life and culture of the local people are shared.
Then and now: Aboriginal culture Then and now: Aboriginal culture is a Stage 3 (Years 5-6) school excursion at Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park, focusing on HSIE. Through story and creative expression, the life and culture of the local people are shared.
Then and now: Aboriginal culture Then and now: Aboriginal culture is a Stage 1 (Years 1-2) school excursion in Morton National Park, focusing on HSIE. Through story and creative expression, the life and culture of the local people are shared.
Traditional weaving workshop: Fitzroy Falls Discover the art of weaving in this hands-on workshop at Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands. You’ll be introduced to Aboriginal culture and traditional weaving practices by an Aboriginal NPWS guide.

Teeming with wildlife

Honeysuckle (Banksia serrata), Morton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

This massive park is a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife. Rainforest and moist eucalypt forest support swamp wallabies, gliders, bush rats and long-nosed potoroos. Birdwatchers will be tickled pink with Morton's residents - satin bowerbirds, green catbirds and lyrebirds call the park home, while eagles and falcons hover overhead. You could be fortunate enough to see an endangered ground parrot in the heath. And, if it really is your lucky day, maybe you'll meet a platypus or long-necked tortoise in one of the rivers.

Canoes, cool-climate wines and canapés Indulge your taste buds with gourmet food and wine on this enjoyable guided excursion with Wildfest. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature along magical waterways in Morton National Park, near Kangaroo Valley.
East Rim and Wildflower walking tracks The East Rim and Wildflower walking tracks offer awe inspiring views of the Southern Highlands. Starting from Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre, wind your way through nature on these connecting tracks.
Fitzroy Falls nature tour Experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Fitzroy Falls on this guided nature walk. It’s an unforgettable Southern Highlands activity.
Junior ranger: Fitzroy Falls adventure Kids can become nature investigators at Fitzroy Falls these school holidays. Follow clues and explore Morton National Park through hands-on kids’ activities.
Mannings lookout For spectacular cliff-top views over Kangaroo Valley, Mannings lookout offers great birdwatching on a family driving route through the NSW Southern Highlands, in Morton National Park.
Pigeon House Mountain Didthul picnic area Pigeon House Mountain Didthul picnic area offers basic facilities as well as terrific birdwatching and a walking track up the mountain to a scenic lookout.
Walking with wombats luxury excursions Even if you're short on time, you can have it all on this tour with Perfect Day Sydney. This unforgettable day out includes a magical bushwalk, visits to waterfalls and other scenic sights, and the chance for wombat encounters during a relaxing twilight dinner.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.
Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.
Spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. It’s protected as a vulnerable species in NSW.
Eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus)

The eastern ground parrot is a beautiful, ground-dwelling native bird that lives in low heathland habitat along the NSW North and South coasts and escarpments. It’s listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.

Plants

Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)

The black sheoak is one of a number of casuarina species found across the east coast of Australia and nearby tablelands. Growing to a height of 5-15m, these hardy Australian native plants can survive in poor or sandy soils. The barrel-shaped cone of the black sheoak grows to 10-30mm long.
Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus)

The blueberry ash is a rainforest shrub which produces blue olive-shaped berries and spectacular bell-shaped flowers, which often appear on the plant together. It is a tall slender shrub or small tree found in rainforest, tall eucalypt forest and coastal bushland in eastern NSW, south-east Queensland and Victoria.
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.