Sydney❜s Royal National Park Beaches are a Must-Visit

For a memorable day out in nature, look no further than Sydney’s beautiful Royal National Park and the numerous Royal National Park beaches in particular.

Bursting with bushland, beaches and plenty of things to see and do, the Royal National Park is a one-stop-shop for all things outdoorsy, just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the city.

If walking, swimming, surfing, fishing and whale-watching are your family’s jam, then Royal National Park beaches are beckoning. 

Sydney's Royal National Park Beaches are a Must-Visit

1. Garie Beach

With picturesque landscapes and activity options aplenty, it’s easy to see why Garie Beach is one of the best Royal National Park beaches. Situated at the southern end of the Royal National Park, Garie Beach is a great pick for surfers looking to catch a wave or 10 or for families keen to explore the rainforest gullies that surround the beach.

Wildlife lovers are also in for a treat at Garie Beach, thanks to great whale-watching opportunities in winter and birdwatching throughout the year. You’ll glimpse sea eagles, albatrosses and more, so make sure you pack the binoculars with the picnic!

Garie Beach is one of the few Royal National Park beaches where you can park right next to the beach - winning!

Getting to Garie Beach: Parking is available in the car park on Garie Road.  

2. Jibbon Beach

The picturesque Jibbon Beach is a must-visit in the Royal National Park. If you’re a family of avid walkers, you’re going to want to put Jibbon Beach at the top of your to-visit list.

The starting point for some of the best walking tracks through Royal National Park beaches, Jibbon is situated at the eastern end of Bundeena and showcases stunning cliffs, Aboriginal rock engravings and lush rainforest.

The short Jibbon Loop Track is a great one for families, or if you fancy something longer, the Jibbon Track and Coast Track between Bundeena and Otford is well worth checking out.

Getting to Jibbon Beach: The beach is right next to Bundeena Village, and there are also ferry services from Cronulla.

3. Horderns Beach

Another stunning beach that’s one of the main drawcards in beautiful Bundeena, Horderns Beach is a spacious 800-metre-long paradise that’s perfect for a day-long visit.

The calm waters are ideal for family splashing, making it a popular pick for those with young children. If you’ve got a four-legged member in your brood, Horderns beach has on-leash and off-leash rules that apply at different times of the year.

Getting to Horderns Beach: The beach is to the west of Bundeena Wharf. 

4. Burning Palms Beach

If you're a family of seasoned surfers and hitting some epic waves is your idea of a weekend well spent, then Burning Palms is for you.

Burning Palms Beach is known for having awesome surf, but it's not known for being very kid-friendly, given the hazardous conditions at times and the fact that it's a bit of a walk to get there. 

The renowned 'Figure Eight' pools at Burning Palms are a huge drawcard to the Royal National Park, but, again, only recommended for older kids.

If you're keen to make the most of Burning Palms without hitting the water, you can challenge yourself on the Palm Jungle Loop Track that takes in incredible scenery and Royal National Park beaches. The Palm Jungle Loop Track is a challenging 10-kilometre loop, but you can always stop and turn around once the littlies get tired!

Getting to Burning Palms: You can access the beach via a walking track from Garawarra Farm Carpark, 144 Garawarra Farm Road, Lilyvale.

5. Wattamolla Beach

Family beach days don't get much better than those spent at the glorious Wattamolla Beach!

Hands down one of the most visited of the Royal National Park beaches, Wattamolla is a super popular family spot that’s brimming with things to do. The picnic areas are a great place to base yourself as you explore the rest of what Wattamolla has to offer.

Water lovers will adore spending time snorkelling, swimming and fishing their way through the day, and there are some great bushwalks around, too! Wattamolla Beach gets very busy on weekends, so if you'd like to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting during the week or arriving as early as possible - as in 8 am!

Getting to Wattamolla: Parking is available at the beach on Wattamolla Road.

Note: Make sure you check the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for any park closures before visiting.

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