About 3 hours
Audley Visitor Centre, weir picnic, maybe a boatshed hire if open — then out before weekend traffic. Not enough for Wattamolla plus a long walk.
Before you drive in
Plan Your Visit — Entry Fees, Hours & Tickets
- Entry $12 per vehicle per day
- Hours 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Gates lock 8:30 pm
- ParknPay / entry stations
There is no separate “ticket office” for most day visits — park entry is typically $12 per vehicle per day (vehicle). Confirm current fees and pay options on NPWS. Below: gates, Visitor Centre, weather, camping and what to pack.
— checked against NPWS / BeachSafe where applicable.
Check NPWS alerts →
Gates lock at night — if you’re still on a track after dark, you may be locked in. Plan exits before you start.
Know before you go
Time in the park
How long do you need?
Nasho is close to Sydney — that does not mean every plan is a half-day. Times below are planning shapes from NPWS distances and typical Sydney traffic, not a stopwatch log.
Half day (4–6 hours)
Wattamolla lagoon/picnic if you leave Sydney early for parking, or Audley + Bungoona. Skip stacking Figure 8 onto this.
Full day
Garie or a Coast Track section with water and a gate-lock buffer. The full 26 km Coast Track is not a casual Sydney day-trip for most walkers.
Overnight
Bonnie Vale (car) or Uloola Falls (walk-in) — book NPWS. North Era is decommissioned. Cottages are the in-park roof option.
Who should not treat this as a Sydney day-trip: anyone aiming for the full Coast Track, Figure 8 in doubtful swell, or a late start on a summer weekend (Wattamolla/Garie car parks fill). Better to stay south (Otford/Waterfall) or pick Audley only.
Pick one plan
Decision cards
Same questions for Nasho’s flagships — skip the ones that do not fit your group.
If the plan fails
Plan B (named failures)
- Wattamolla car park full: do not queue on the road. Switch to Audley or check Garie (different risk — open surf). Follow @royalnpalerts.
- Figure 8 conditions wrong: do not “have a look from the shelf.” Turn around at Garawarra or Burning Palms. Backup: Wattamolla or Audley.
- Coast Track too long for the day: walk a signed section only, or stay overnight at Bonnie Vale / Uloola (NPWS) — not North Era.
Last suburb
Fuel, food and medical by intent
No prices listed — they change. Fill up and eat before the park; large areas have no reception.
Cronulla / Sutherland
Northern intent: Bundeena ferry, Bonnie Vale, Audley via Loftus. Fuel, shops and Sutherland Hospital (emergency) are in the suburbs — not in the park.
Waterfall
McKell Ave entry, Uloola / highland tracks. Last fuel and food on the highway strip before you drop into the park. Confirm hours locally.
Otford / Helensburgh
Southern Coast Track / Figure 8 (Garawarra). Limited services compared with Cronulla — do not count on a shop at the trailhead. Helensburgh is the usual last town cluster.
Camping and cottages: book only on NPWS or 1300 072 757.
Know before you go
Gates lock at 8:30 pm — plan to be out or parked inside before then. Entry is separate from camping and cottage fees.
Park entry
$12 per vehicle per day — confirm on NPWS
Hours
7:00 am – 8:30 pm daily (gates lock at 8:30 pm)
Pay on arrival
ParknPay app or entry stations at Loftus, Waterfall and Otford
Northern access
Visitor CentreCronulla–Bundeena ferry for northern beaches and Bonnie Vale
Audley
8:30 am – 4:30 pm daily · 02 9542 0648 · maps, track advice and souvenirs
Orientation
Map & current alerts
Rough park location for planning the drive. Closures, fire danger and track status change — check NPWS before you leave, then use our maps page for walk PDFs.
Centred near Audley (Visitor Centre). Coastal day-use areas (Wattamolla, Garie) sit east of Sir Bertram Stevens Drive.
On the ground
Fees, rules & road signs
What you’ll see at entries and on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Hubs
Explore the park
Camping, cottages, walks and beaches — the main overnight and day-trip hubs.
Camping
Bonnie Vale & Uloola Falls — North Era decommissioned. Book on 1300 072 757
Camping guide →Photo: John Spencer © DCCEEW
Itineraries
Half-day Wattamolla, coastal day and camping weekend plans
See plans →Photo: Brett Darby Photography
Trails & walks
From 20-minute lookouts to the 26 km Coast Track
Trails hub →Photo: Brett Darby Photography
Beaches
17 beaches — hazard ratings and patrol info
Beaches guide →Photo: Brett Darby Photography
Wattamolla day trip
Lagoon, beach and parking tips — the Wattamolla Rd turn-off is a main day-use destination.
Wattamolla guide →Photo: Brett Darby Photography
Before you leave home
Three quick checks that save wasted trips — especially on weekends and school holidays.
Park alerts
Closures, fire bans and track conditions change quickly — especially after storms.
Check NPWS alerts →Seasonal weather
Summer sun is harsh on clifftops; winter nights drop to 6–8°C on overnight hikes.
Weather guide →Maps & routes
Download our map guide or pick up a detailed topographic map at Audley before a long walk.
Map guide →Official NPWS first
Camping and cottage stays fill fast in school holidays. Park entry is separate from camping fees. Check alerts before any hotel or tour click.
FAQ
Entry, tickets & hours FAQ
How much is Royal National Park entry / tickets?
There is usually no separate “ticket office” for day visits. Vehicle entry is typically $12 per vehicle per day — confirm current fees and payment options on NPWS. Pay via ParknPay or entry stations at Loftus, Waterfall and Otford. Larger vehicles (over 8 seats) use per-person rates on NPWS.
What are the park opening hours?
Park hours are typically 7:00 am – 8:30 pm with gates locking at 8:30 pm. Plan to be out or parked inside before lock time.
Where is the Visitor Centre?
Audley Visitor Centre is open about 8:30 am – 4:30 pm daily (confirm on NPWS). Phone 02 9542 0648. Maps, track advice and souvenirs are available there.
Do I need a booking for a day trip?
Day visits do not usually need a booking, but camping and cottages must be booked. Check NPWS local alerts for closures before you leave.
Why are some areas closed at night on weekdays?
Some areas close sunset–sunrise Monday–Thursday (excluding school holidays) for deer control until 18 December 2026 — including Audley picnic flats, Wattamolla and Garie picnic areas, Lady Carrington Drive, Bonnie Vale, Garawarra Farm and sections of the Coast Track. Campground bookings can still access booked sites. Confirm on NPWS local alerts before night or early-morning plans. See NPWS local alerts.
Are Warumbul or Winifred Falls roads closed for works?
NPWS vegetation works 24 August–2 October 2026: night works on Warumbul and Rathane roads (24 Aug–11 Sep); Gundamaian Vehicle Trail closed weekdays 24 Aug–18 Sep; Winifred Falls Vehicle Trail closed weekdays 2 Sep–2 Oct. Weemalah and Hilltop cottage guests can still access with proof of booking. Warumbul picnic area stays open in daylight. Confirm on NPWS local alerts. See NPWS local alerts.
Hotels, tours & day-trip kit
Stay outside the park and drive in, or book a guided experience. Gear links are optional — only what helps on rocky coast and long walks.
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
Related guides
Unofficial guide — always verify conditions with NSW National Parks and BeachSafe before visiting.
What next?