Overview
A day trip or school excursion to Royal National Park in Sydney's south, will offer plenty of opportunities for barbecues, fishing, bushwalking, birdwatching and whale watching.
Read more about
Royal National Park
Sydney’s heritage-listed Royal National Park is affectionately known to locals as the ‘Nasho’ or just ‘the Royal’. Established in 1879, it’s the world's second-oldest national park. It features unique heritage attractions, along with fascinating plants, birds and animals. Perfect for bushwalking, cycling, surfing, picnicking or whale watching, this diverse park offers everything from beaches to rainforest.
Located near Cronulla within an hour’s drive from both the Sydney CBD and Wollongong, the 16,000ha Royal National Park is like a big beautiful backyard. Whether you come for a morning jog or a week-long camping holiday, you’ll discover something new each time.
Current alerts in this area
Last reviewed: Mon 18 August 2025, 10.11pm
Applies from Mon 11 Aug 2025, 1.11pm
to Tue 26 Aug 2025, 5.00pm.
Last reviewed: Mon 18 Aug 2025, 10.11pm.
Closed areas: Singletrack Mountain Bike Trails closed to prevent trail damage
All single-track mountain bike trails in Royal National Park are closed until Tuesday 26th August 2025 due to wet and muddy trail conditions.
This closure is to prevent damage to recently upgraded trails. The closure will be reassessed on 26th August and may be extended if trail conditions remain wet.
Riding on fire management (4WD) tracks is still permitted, but please take care as they may be wet and slippery.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Affects 1 location in this park:
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Applies from Mon 28 Jul 2025, 3.48pm
to Fri 3 Oct 2025, 3.48pm.
Last reviewed: Mon 18 Aug 2025, 9.38am.
Closed areas: Curra Moors fire trail weekday closure
Curra Moors fire trail in Royal National Park is closed on weekdays between Monday 28 July and Friday 3 October 2025 due to maintenance works.
Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park area office on 02 9542 0632.
Affects 1 location in this park:
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Applies from Tue 29 Jul 2025, 6.00am
to Tue 30 Sep 2025, 5.00pm.
Last reviewed: Thu 14 Aug 2025, 3.07pm.
Closed areas: Honeymoon Track closed for repairs
The Honeymoon Track within the Audley precinct of Royal National Park will be closed for repairs on weekdays only until approximately 30 September 2025. The track will remain available for use on weekends.
For further information, please contact the Royal National Park Visitors Centre on 9542 0648.
Applies from Mon 7 Jul 2025, 8.38am
to Fri 19 Dec 2025, 8.43am.
Last reviewed: Wed 30 Jul 2025, 9.49am.
Closed areas: Areas closed for deer control program
Some areas in Royal National Park are closed to the public between sunset and sunrise from Monday to Thursday (excluding school holidays) from Monday 7 July 2025 to Friday 19 December 2025 to enable a deer control operation to be carried out.
The closed areas include:
- All picnic areas in the Audley Precinct
- Asset protection zones adjacent to Maianbar, Bundeena and East Heathcote.
- Wattamolla and Garie picnic areas
- North Era campground and coastal areas between Garie Beach and Figure 8 Pools
- Garrawarra Farm
- Lady Carrington Drive
- Bonnie Vale campground and Bonnie Vale picnic area.
These closures will be signposted at the entry points to the closed areas. If you have a campground booking you can still access campgrounds during these times.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648.
Affects 31 locations in this park:
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Applies from Mon 28 Jul 2025, 3.42pm
to Fri 19 Sep 2025, 3.43pm.
Last reviewed: Mon 18 Aug 2025, 9.38am.
Closed areas: Curra Moors loop track weekday closure
Access to Royal Coast track from Curra Moors loop track in Royal National Park will be closed on weekdays from Monday 28 July to Friday 19 September 2025 due to maintenance works on Curra Moors vehicle trail.
Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Royal National Park area office on 02 9542 0632.
Affects 1 location in this park:
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Applies from Tue 12 Jul 2022, 4.30pm.
Last reviewed: Mon 18 Aug 2025, 9.38am.
Closed areas: Garie Road closed due to damage
Garie Road is closed until further notice to allow for extensive repairs the road surface. Work is being undertaken by Transport for New South Wales.
A reopening date is not currently known.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. Please check Live Traffic NSW for updates before driving to Garie Beach.
Affects 2 locations in this park:
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Applies from Wed 5 Feb 2025, 4.01pm
to Wed 31 Dec 2025, 4.01pm.
Last reviewed: Sat 21 Jun 2025, 11.08pm.
Closed areas: The Coast track - partial closure
Walking the full length of The Coast track from Otford to Bundeena or Bundeena to Otford is not currently possible due to several track closures along its length. These closures are necessary due to erosion, rockfall risk and ongoing track upgrade works.
Please note the following closures:
- The Garie to Little Garie section of The Coast track is closed due to hazardous rockfalls and erosion
- North Era campground is closed until further notice
- Garie Road, Garie Beach and the Garie precinct is closed until further notice due to damage and subsidence of the road surface. Walkers approaching from the north (e.g. from Wattamolla or Bundeena) should exit the track via Curra Moors track. Walkers approaching from the south can Exit to Garawarra Farm via the Burgh Ridge Track.
Bushwalker access is available for the following sections of The Coast track:
- South bound access - Bundeena to Curra Moors track via Wattamolla and return only. No access to Garie Beach.
- North bound access - Otford to Thelma Ridge Via Burning Palms and Era and return only. No access to Garie Beach.
For further information please contact the Royal National Park Visitor Centre on 02 9542 0648
Affects 5 locations in this park:
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Applies from Mon 4 Mar 2024, 10.28am.
Last reviewed: Thu 24 Jul 2025, 10.41am.
Closed areas: Werrong Beach track
Werrong Beach track in Royal National Park is closed until further notice due to landslides. Signs will be in place around the closed area.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
Affects 1 location in this park:
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Applies from Fri 14 Jul 2023, 3.13pm.
Last reviewed: Thu 17 Jul 2025, 6.02pm.
Closed areas: North Era campground closed
North Era campground is closed until further notice due to operational activities. For more information please contact the local area office on 02 9542 0648.
Affects 1 location in this park:
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Nearby alerts
Applies from Mon 18 Aug 2025, 12.00am to Mon 31 Aug 2026, 10.39am. Last reviewed: Wed 13 Aug 2025, 2.26pm
Closed areas: Sublime Point Walking Track closed
The Sublime Point Walking Track is closed for major upgrades from Monday 18 August 2025 to Monday 31 August 2026.
Alternative walking tracks include the Forest Walk, Wodi Wodi Track, Gibson Walking Track, the Woodward Loop Track and the Mount Keira Ring Track.
The upgrade is supported by the NSW and Australian Government’s Infrastructure Betterment Fund to repair and rebuild public assets directly impacted by natural disasters since 2019.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For information on alternative walks, contact the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre on 02 4236 0469.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Mon 11 Aug 2025, 2.04pm to Fri 31 Oct 2025, 2.16pm. Last reviewed: Mon 11 Aug 2025, 2.28pm
Closed areas: Maintenance works on Fire trails
Fire trails across Kamay Botany Bay NP (Kurnell Area) will be closed on weekdays from 25/08/2025 until mid-October (weather depending) due to maintenance works. Trail will be open on weekends.
Cape Baily walking track will remain open, however please follow directions of staff and contractors to ensure your safety.
Potter Point Road will be closed between 8th October and 10th October 2025 due to vegetation maintenance works. There will be no vehicle or pedestrian access to Potter Point via this road during this time.
Potter Point will still be accessible from Cape Baily walking track.
Please obey all closure signage and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, email or call the local area office on 02 9337 5511.
Affects 1 park and 2 locations nearby. Show list
Applies from Fri 9 May 2025, 3.09pm to Thu 5 Feb 2026, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Fri 1 Aug 2025, 8.33am
Other planned events: Toilet closures in Lane Cove National Park
Some toilets within this park will be closed during the week, opening only on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays. The closed toilets are at:
- Carters Creek (Area 9)
- Scribbly Gums (Area 17)
- Haynes Flat (Area 32)
This does not apply to bookings. Where there are bookings, toilets will be open.
For more information, please contact the NPWS Chatswood area office on 02 8448 0400.
Applies from Fri 28 Mar 2025, 2.52pm to Mon 15 Sep 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 19 Aug 2025, 8.58am
Closed areas: Road and picnic area closures
Lane Cove Depot Road and part of Max Allen Road, along with the adjacent picnic areas, will be closed from 31 March 2025 to 15 September 2025 due to essential geotechnical works. Weather events may extend these works.
The following areas will be closed to all pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles:
- Lane Cove Depot Road
- Max Allen Road will have no public access beyond Lane Cove Cafe and area office.
- Turrumburra, Bakers Flat, Casuarina Point, Cormorant Corner, Haynes Flat and Thistlethwaites picnic areas.
Please follow all signs and instructions of NPWS staff and contractors. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400.
Applies from Mon 28 Jul 2025, 6.00am. Last reviewed: Thu 24 Jul 2025, 5.56pm
Closed areas: Commemoration Flat carpark
The Commemoration Flat carpark is being upgraded and will be closed from 28 July 2025 until early 2026. Alternate parking is available at the Cricket Pitch carpark.
Commemoration Flat toilets and picnic area remain open, however there will be limited short-term closures as new BBQ and picnic facilities are installed. Access to some walking tracks will be impacted. Please refer to on-site signage.
To learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay 2020 Master Plan Project, send an email or call the local area office on 02 9668 2010.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Wed 13 Oct 2021, 4.28pm. Last reviewed: Thu 24 Jul 2025, 5.49pm
Closed areas: Kurnell Visitor Centre closed
Kurnell Visitor Centre is currently closed and will remain closed until 2026. A new visitor centre is under construction.
During construction works, the precinct, including the carpark, will be fenced off and work crews will be on-site. Access to some walking tracks will be impacted. Please refer to on-site signage.
Parking and toilets are available at the Cricket Pitch precinct.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
To learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay 2020 Master Plan Project, email or call the local area office on 02 9668 2010.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Mon 21 Jul 2025, 6.00am to Tue 30 Dec 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Wed 23 Jul 2025, 4.38pm
Closed areas: Works along Botany Bay Foreshore, Kurnell
A new revetment (seawall) along the Botany Bay foreshore will replace the temporary sandbags which have been in place since 2018. A revetment is a permanent structure which protects the foreshore from storm surges and tides.
A works compound is established at Beach Park and access to the works site will be along Monument Track. Some closures and restrictions to access will take place as materials are moved to the foreshore.
Please be mindful of site fencing and follow instructions from NPWS staff and contractors.
To learn more about the improvements being made as part of the Kamay 2020 Master Plan Project, send an email or call the local area office on 02 9668 2010.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Tue 19 May 2020, 4.18pm. Last reviewed: Tue 5 Aug 2025, 2.26pm
Closed areas: Closed areas due to rifle range operations
The eastern section of Malabar Headland National Park will be closed on the following dates/times due to ANZAC Rifle Range operations:
- Every Saturday, 8am to 5pm.
- The 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 8am to 5pm.
- NSWRA Schools Practice and Competition Week, Tuesday 15 July 2025 to Friday 18 July 2025 (4 days).
- Service Rifle championships Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of October 2025.
Do not enter the eastern section of the national park (including Boora Point walking track) when:
- Red flags are flying above the range
- The 'rifle range in use' warning signs are displayed at the park entry (South Maroubra Beach and Fishermans Road carpark).
- Park entry gates are closed.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the NPWS local office on 02 9337 5511 or the ANZAC Rifle Range on 02 9661 4532.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Fri 9 Dec 2022, 9.15am. Last reviewed: Thu 14 Aug 2025, 8.42am
Closed areas: Lower Escarpment Fire Trail Closed
The Lower Escarpment Fire Trail is closed while roadworks are underway. Please follow all roadwork signs and directions of NPWS staff.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Wollongong NPWS office on 02 4224 4188.
Affects 1 park nearby. Show list
Applies from Tue 19 Nov 2024, 9.56am. Last reviewed: Fri 20 Jun 2025, 3.12pm
Closed areas: Skylight Cave permanently closed
Skylight cave is permanently closed to visitors due to serious safety risks. The cave is midway down an unstable cliff, and the risk of falling off the cliff edge while trying to reach it makes it very dangerous.
There is no approved public access walking track to Skylight cave. Please do not risk your safety trying to reach this location. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list
Applies from Fri 16 May 2025, 4.27pm. Last reviewed: Fri 16 May 2025, 4.35pm
Closed areas: Artillery Track Closed
The Artillery Track of Malabar Headland National Park is closed due to safety concerns.
This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors while we assess and address potential hazards.
Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office.
Affects 1 park nearby. Show list
Applies from Tue 6 Feb 2024, 10.28am to Tue 30 Sep 2025, 5.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 29 Jul 2025, 8.43am
Closed areas: Woodward track is closed due to storm damage
Woodward track (accessed via Sublime Point) is closed due to damage from heavy rainfall events. Repair works are currently underway and is scheduled to reopen in September 2025 (weather permitting).
For more information, contact the local park office.
Affects 1 park nearby. Show list
Applies from Thu 2 May 2024, 2.21pm. Last reviewed: Thu 3 Apr 2025, 4.20pm
Safety alerts: Landslide on Auxillary trail- Heathcote National Park
A landslip occurred on an auxillary trail (near Dingo tunnel) off Lower pipeline fire trail in April 2024. Pedestrians and Cyclists are not permitted to pass the landslip.
Authorised Vehicles are not permitted to drive the auxillary trial until further notice.
There are no walking tracks or visitors facilities in this area.
Affects 1 park nearby. Show list
Just 36km south of Sydney, Heathcote offers easy access to Heathcote National Park and Royal National Park – the world's second-oldest national park. The heritage-listed Royal National Park offers a range of recreational activities – including bushwalking, cycling and surfing – and places to relax and enjoy a meal in natural surroundings.
No trip to Sydney is complete without spending some time in the city’s beautiful parks. Whether it’s in central areas like Hyde Park or the Royal Botanic Gardens or further out in Centennial Parklands, there’s plenty of green space to go out and enjoy.
There are plenty of opportunities for adventure activities in and around Wollongong ranging from surfing and swimming to sailing, hang gliding, paragliding, cycling and abseiling. Wollongong is the only place in NSW where you can skydive onto the beach.
