The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Garawarra State Conservation Area

Otford Lookout sits high above the southern coastline of Royal National Park, with sweeping views over Bulgo Beach, the Illawarra coastline, and the Pacific Ocean. The adjacent parking lot is also the southern trailhead for the Coast Track and Werrong Beach Track, making it a popular starting point for some of the park’s best coastal walks. Even if you’re not heading out on an adventure, it’s a worthwhile stop to take in the fantastic cliff-top scenery.

Kingfisher Pool is a secluded natural swimming hole on Kingfisher Creek, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and eucalypt forest. Reached via Bullawarring Track, it’s a great spot to cool off during a walk, with clear water and smooth rock platforms. Though water levels can vary with rainfall, it’s one of the park’s most popular destinations, and is a peaceful spot to relax on a warm day.

Palm Jungle Loop Track is a relatively challenging circuit in the southern section of Royal National Park that passes through beautiful eucalypt forest, coastal rainforest, palm-filled gullies, cliff tops, and sections of the Coast Track. The walk includes steep descents, many steps, and some rough terrain, with plenty of scenery, including views of Burning Palms Beach and panoramic ocean views from the Werrong Lookout. With limited signage and some demanding sections, it's best to use your komoot offline GPS route or a paper map to stay on course.

Garawarra Farm carpark sits just off Garie Road in Royal National Park, and is the main trailhead for several walks in this area, including the popular Figure Eight Pools. There are toilets and benches, but no picnic facilities. It’s important to note that Garie Road is a dirt road not suitable for lowered 2WD vehicles or any 2WD vehicles in wet weather, mobile reception is unreliable, and the area is not suitable for small children or strollers, so be sure to plan accordingly before you arrive. The entry fee is $12 per vehicle per day, payable at ticket machines in the carpark, via the Audley Visitor Centre, vehicle entry stations, or the Park’nPay app: https://parknpay.nsw.gov.au/.

Uloola Falls Trailhead has a massive car park and a set of stairs leading down to the Uloola Falls Trail, marked with a sign and map.

The Karloo Trackhead begins with some interesting signage and art, and then heads into the bush. This track is very popular and easily accessible, with a few bus stops and the Heathcote Train Station just a few steps away.

Heathcote National Park lies on Sydney’s southern edge and protects rugged sandstone plateaus, forested gorges and coastal-influenced bushland. The park features an extensive network of formed tracks and fire trails, including the popular Pipeline Trail that follows an old water main corridor. The landscape shifts between open eucalypt forest, shaded gullies and cliff-top viewpoints over the Woronora River valley. There is no general entry fee, but facilities are limited, so carry water on longer walks and stay on signed paths.

This 500 meter long beach is only reachable on foot and therefore is rarely overcrowded. In addition to the gorgeous sand and water you'll also find around 20 heritage listed beach cabins and a surf lifesaving club that patrols the beach every Sunday and public holiday from the end of September to the end of April.