Royal National Park

The Royal National Park is the world’s second oldest National Park after Yellowstone. It was established as a public national park in 1879 by Sir John Robertson and is located 32 km south of Sydney. Many Sydneysiders come here on the weekend to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. In 1994 the park was hit by large bushfires which destroyed a big part of its magnificent forests. The park stretches from the beach all the way into an ancient high plateau, many rivers shape the valleys in between. There are numerous BBQ areas; best known is Oatley, which has been a picnic spot since the late 19th century. One can go for walks, go mountain biking or take a scenic drive along Carrington Drive. There is the two day Coastal Walk which leads from Bundeena to North Era, which is a good overnight camping spot. The next day it is then on to Otford where one can take the train back to Sydney. A delightful place to relax on the beach is Wattamolla; the secluded beach has a lagoon where parents and children can safely enjoy the beach life.