Established 1879 · Locals call it Nasho
Royal National Park
Australia's First National Park
Beaches, coastal walks, camping and day-trips — 16,000 hectares from Port Hacking to Otford, about an hour south of Sydney.
- Est. 1879 · 16,000 hectares
- Entry $12 per vehicle per day
- Gates 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
- 26 km Coast Track
- 1 hr from Sydney
Proclaimed in 1879, Royal National Park is the world’s second-oldest national park — a day-trip escape for swimming, bushwalking, picnics and camping. This unofficial guide helps you plan safely and well.
Why visit Nasho
Coast, bush and river — one park, three worlds
From sheltered lagoons at Wattamolla to the 26 km Coast Track and quiet Audley on the Hacking River, you can shape a morning stroll or a full overnight trip without leaving the park boundary.
Beaches & lagoons
Garie, Wattamolla, Bundeena bays and wilder southern coves — check BeachSafe before you swim.
Beach guide →Walks that earn the view
Easy lookouts, rainforest loops and the multi-day Coast Track. Figure 8 Pools only at low tide with calm surf.
Trails →Camp & stay over
Bonnie Vale and Uloola Falls are bookable on NPWS; North Era is decommissioned; Wattamolla is not camping.
Camping →Part of National Parks Guide Australia
This unofficial Royal National Park guide is in that network. Not government. Compare parks on the hub.
Browse all parks → nationalparksguide.com.au
Related parks
More like this
Within an hour of Sydney you can be on a cliff track, a family lagoon, or a river picnic under rainforest canopy — that’s Nasho.
Visitor tip
Explore the guide
Where do you want to go?
Trails & Hikes
Coast Track, Figure 8 Pools, Bungoona & loop walks
Beaches
Garie, Wattamolla, Bundeena bays & southern surf
Wildlife & Nature
Kangaroos, birds, goannas & wildflower seasons
Plan Your Visit
Fees, hours, camping & accommodation
Coast Track
26 km coastal hike from Otford to Bundeena
Audley
Visitor Centre, picnics, cafe & boatshed
Safety first
Figure 8 Pools
Sydney's most famous rock pools — spectacular but dangerous without the right tide and swell. Read the safety guide before you go.
Safety guide →
Start planning
NPWS local alerts → · NPWS park page → · How long do you need? →
Stays, tours & gear
Useful booking links for a day trip or overnight near the park. NPWS camping and cottage bookings stay on official channels.
Nearby stays
Cronulla (north) · Miranda / Sutherland · Otford / Waterfall (south)
- Hotels & apartments in CronullaClosest beach access + ferry to Bundeena
- Miranda / Sutherland areaGood value, central for Audley & the middle of the park
- Otford / WaterfallBest for Coast Track start / southern end
All Booking.com links open in a new tab and may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official NPWS camping and cottage bookings are never affiliated.
Guided tours
Optional — day hikes (Wattamolla & Garie), Figure 8–style coasts, or browse all Royal NP tours
Always check swell and tide yourself — guides do not remove rock-platform risk.
What to bring
Practical kit for rocky coast and long day walks
- Reef shoesRocky platforms, Figure 8 access tracks, wet rock shelves
- UPF sun shirtExposed coast heath has little shade
- Day pack 20–30LWater, layers, first aid for Coast Track and day hikes
- Grip hiking shoesSteep sandstone and muddy fire trails after rain
- 2L+ water capacityMany coastal sections have no taps — fill at Audley or picnic areas
- Electrolyte tabletsHot summers; refill at picnic areas where available
- Light rain shellSoutherly changes hit the coast hard — even on “fine” mornings
- HeadlampGates lock in the evening; late Coast Track or track exits
Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park fees and NPWS bookings are never affiliated. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy