Royal National ParkUnofficial Guide

Accommodation

Where to stay

Overnight inside the park means NPWS cottages or designated campgrounds only. Many visitors also base in Cronulla, Bundeena, Otford or Waterfall and day-trip in.

— checked against NPWS / BeachSafe where applicable.

Check NPWS alerts →

Cottages and camping: book on NPWS or call 1300 072 757 — never affiliate. Park entry ($12 per vehicle per day) is usually separate. Hotel searches use Booking.com affiliate links (may earn a commission) — affiliate disclosure.

Inside the park

NPWS cottages

Three self-contained cottages — Weemalah, Hilltop and Reids Flat. Book only through National Parks. Rates change by season — confirm on NPWS. Photos are official NPWS images under CC BY 4.0 with photographer credit on each card.

Weemalah Cottage on the Port Hacking riverside, Royal National Park
Photo: John Spencer/OEH · NPWS
Sleeps 8Warumbul · Hacking River

Weemalah Cottage

Secluded riverside retreat east of Audley

  • 2 doubles + bunk room
  • Full kitchen & laundry
  • River views from verandah
More about this cottage
  • Swim and fish in the river; hike to Winifred Falls
  • ~3 km unsealed road from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
  • Bring all food — Bundeena shops for extras
  • Book up to 12 months ahead — very popular
Book Weemalah on NPWS
Front of Hilltop Cottage in Warumbul, Royal National Park
Photo: John Spencer © DPIE · NPWS
Sleeps 6Warumbul · Port Hacking outlook

Hilltop Cottage

Coastal and river views over Warumbul

  • Sleeps up to 6
  • Warumbul & Port Hacking views
  • Unsealed park road access
More about this cottage
  • Ideal base for coastal walks and Bundeena day trips
  • Via Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
  • Rates vary by season — confirm on NPWS
Book Hilltop on NPWS
Exterior of Reids Flat Cottage at Audley, Royal National Park
Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH · NPWS
Sleeps 8Audley · Visitor Centre nearbyAccessible bathroom

Reids Flat Cottage

Riverside cottage at Audley on the Hacking River

  • Sleeps up to 8
  • Wheelchair-accessible bathroom
  • Close to Visitor Centre
More about this cottage
  • Picnic areas, cafe and boatshed at Audley
  • River activities and easy day walks
  • Rates vary by season — confirm on NPWS
Book Reids on NPWS

Full cottage guide & booking tips →

Campgrounds

Only three official campgrounds. Camping outside designated sites can mean fines. North Era is closed to camping in 2026 — confirm on NPWS before multi-day Coast Track plans.

Campers at Bonnie Vale campground beside the Hacking River, Royal National Park
Photo: John Spencer © DCCEEW · NPWS
Powered & unpowered sitesBundeena · Port HackingCar accessWheelchair access

Bonnie Vale Campground

Family-friendly car camping near Bundeena

  • Hot showers & flush toilets
  • Gas/electric barbecues — no campfires
  • Riverside sand spit & Bundeena shops nearby
More about this campground
  • Car via Loftus, or Cronulla ferry to Bundeena
  • Check-in 2 pm · check-out 10 am (NPWS)
  • Wheelchair-accessible sites available
  • Weekend kayak hire on the Hacking River (e.g. local operators — confirm season)
  • Park hours typically 7 am–8:30 pm — confirm campground/gate times on NPWS
  • Extremely busy in school holidays — book early
Book Bonnie Vale on NPWS
North Era campground overlooking the beach, Royal National Park
Photo: Andy Richards · NPWS
Decommissioned — no camping—Coast Track · near GarieWalk-in only (beach/track; no camp)

North Era Campground

Coast Track site — decommissioned (no camping)

  • NPWS: closed 2023 and decommissioned — no camping
  • North Era Beach and Coast Track still used for day walks (unpatrolled surf)
  • Do not plan an overnight at North Era
More about this campground
  • NPWS closed North Era campground in 2023 and has decommissioned the site (emergency access, servicing and damp aspect). It is not available for camping. Plan the Coast Track as a day walk, stay outside the park, or check NPWS for overnight options such as Garie Beach on the Coast Track booking.
  • Coast Track overnight options: check NPWS (e.g. Garie Beach booking) or stay outside the park
  • Check current alerts before hiking — conditions change
Check closure on NPWS →
Rock pool at Uloola Falls campground, Royal National Park
Photo: Andy Richards/NSW Government · NPWS
6 sitesWaterfall · Heathcote accessWalk-in only

Uloola Falls Campground

Remote walk-in sites on longer hikes

  • Foot access via Uloola or Karloo tracks
  • Non-flush toilets, no water on site
  • No campfires — fuel stove only
More about this campground
  • Via Uloola track (Waterfall) or Karloo track (Heathcote)
  • Boggy after rain — best as a one-night stop
  • Pairs well with Uloola Track day walks
Book Uloola Falls on NPWS

Full camping guide (rules, booking, Bonnie Vale kayak) →

Outside the park

Hotels & holiday stays

Pick the end of the park you will walk or swim. Cronulla maximises northern convenience; Otford and Waterfall suit southern Coast Track starts.

Bundeena

Village at the park’s north edge — walk to Jibbon and Bonnie Vale; hotel inventory is limited (Cronulla often better).

Find stays near Bundeena →
Hotels & apartments in CronullaMiranda / Sutherland areaOtford / Waterfall

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.

Tours & gear for your stay

Optional guided day hike or kit for rocky coast — separate from NPWS cottage and camping bookings.

Nearby stays

Cronulla (north) · Miranda / Sutherland · Otford / Waterfall (south)

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

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

Related guides

Unofficial guide — always verify conditions with NSW National Parks and BeachSafe before visiting.