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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow Garie Road to Era Loop     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Garie Road to Era Loop are found in each of the tabs below
Garie Road to Era Loop
Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore 		6.3 km SE of Waterfall
Length: 5 km Walk Length
As this is a Circuit style walk, the 5 km includes the walking distance from the start around the loop and back to the start again 		Royal National Park
Climb: 271 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 271 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections 		There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk
Style: Circuit
Track: Hard

This walk covers a great cross section of the environments in the Royal National park, with plenty of places to rest and take in the views. The walk follows the Squeeze Way from Garie Rd, then heads down Stockyard Spur to Era Gully. The walk then heads up to the old Garawarra Farm, via Burgh Ridge, and back along the road to the Squeezeway and Garrie Rd. There are some optional side trips to North Era and to Burning Palms for people with extra time. (open in app)


There are closures in Royal National Park
Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Garie Road to Era Loop

Map of Walk

Location
                Sponsor of Garie Road to Era Loop bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Garie Road to Era Loop
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Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way
The Squeeze way and Stockyard Gully Trk
Int. Stockyard Spur Trk and Coastal Walk
Int. Stockyard Spur Trk and Coastal Walk
Int of Burgh Ridge Track and Era Track (East)
Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth)
Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth)
Int of Burgh Ridge Track and Era Track (West)
The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track
The Squeeze way and Stockyard Gully Trk
Starting point for this hiking track: Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Otford 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91294S 
 Port Hacking 1:100 000 Map Series 9129 

Photo Gallery
 
 The Squeeze Way near Garie Rd
 
The Squeeze Way near Garie Rd +
 
 Cleft on Rock on Stockyard Spur track
 
Cleft on Rock on Stockyard Spur track +
 
 Rocks on Stockyard Spur track
 
Rocks on Stockyard Spur track +

 
 Open woodlands on Stockyard Spur Trk
 
Open woodlands on Stockyard Spur Trk +
 
 Grass lands at the lower end of Stockyard Spur
 
Grass lands at the lower end of Stockyard Spur +
 
 South Era Beach
 
South Era Beach +

 
 South Era Beach (notice the depression house)
 
South Era Beach (notice the depression house) +
 
 South Era
 
South Era +
 
 Creek on South Era Beach
 
Creek on South Era Beach +

 
 Some ageing buildings south Ear
 
Some ageing buildings south Ear +
 
 Lower northern end of Burgh Spur
 
Lower northern end of Burgh Spur +
 
 The grasslands on the top of many of the hills
 
The grasslands on the top of many of the hills +

 
 From Burgh track looking down on Burning Palms
 
From Burgh track looking down on Burning Palms +
 
 Wooded section of Burgh track
 
Wooded section of Burgh track +
 
 Burgh Track
 
Burgh Track +

 
 Small waterfall near Garawarra
 
Small waterfall near Garawarra +
 
 Near the top of Era spur
 
Near the top of Era spur +
 
 Near top of Burgh track
 
Near top of Burgh track +

 
 Track intersection near Garawarra car park
 
Track intersection near Garawarra car park +
 
 Car park at Garawarra farm
 
Car park at Garawarra farm +
 
 The road section of the Squeeze way
 
The road section of the Squeeze way +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Garie Road to Era Loop bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Garie Road to Era Loop bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Garie Road to Era Loop bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Garie Road to Era Loop bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length 5km
Time 2 hrs 15 mins
.


Grade 4/6

Track: Hard		 AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
2.9km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (110m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
2km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (1.1km) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs
3.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.1km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (110m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
Around 3.8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes


Drive to Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way to The Squeeze way and Stockyard Gully Trk
Track: Moderate - servicetrail		 Length = 428 m Time = 9 mins
Climb = 10 m Descent = -22 m
From the intersection, this walk heads away from Garie Rd and the gate towards the 'No parking along this road' sign and the 'No Stopping' signs. The walk then continues for approximately 200m along the relatively flat management trail, before heading downhill. The trail leads to the bottom of a small rise where there is an unmarked intersection with a bush track on the left. There is a round soccer ball-sized rock here.

(0.43 km) The Squeeze way and Stockyard Gully Trk to Int. Stockyard Spur Trk and Coastal Walk
Track: Hard - bushtrack		 Length = 1.07 km Time = 26 mins
Climb = 7 m Descent = -188 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads away from the management trail, winding through the bush for approximately 50m before heading down the hill. The track follows the top of the ridge, winding down among many large rocks for approximately 100m, then continuing south-east down the hill to an area with an open, clear, forest floor. After approximately 100m, the forest floor becomes thick with grasses, and the walk continues through this to an open canopy, which overlooks houses to the right of the ridge. The walk then heads up through the open grass area to the intersection.

(1.5 km) Int. Stockyard Spur Trk and Coastal Walk to North Era Bush Campground
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack		 Length = 225 m Time = 5 mins
Climb = 4 m Descent = -18 m
Turn left : From the top of the ridge, the walk crosses the headland and open grassy area, down towards the beach (keeping the ocean to the right), coming to a 'North Era Bush Campground' sign just before the beach.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)

(1.5 km) Int. Stockyard Spur Trk and Coastal Walk to Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth)
Track: Moderate - bushtrack		 Length = 897 m Time = 22 mins
Climb = 78 m Descent = -16 m
Turn right: From the top of the ridge, the walk heads down the hill, keeping the ocean to the left as it winds down between the cabins to the beach at the bottom. From here, the walk continues around the back of the beach following the coast, and up between the houses to the large clearing before the top of the hill. Here, the walk comes to an intersection with two rough bush tracks towards the top of the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill and through the ferns, heading up and away from the cabins but still keeping the sea to the left of the track. This continues until the track comes to a large sign saying 'Coast Track'.

(2.4 km) Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth) to Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack		 Length = 939 m Time = 18 mins
Climb = 4 m Descent = -79 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Burning Palms' along the bush track, winding down the side of the hill, past the cabins, then at the bottom the track joins onto a metal walkway that soon changes to a narrow bush track. This passes behind Burning Palms Beach until coming to a sign saying 'Otford via Palm Jungle'.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)

(2.4 km) Int of Coast Track and Burgh Ridge Track (Sth) to The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track
Track: Moderate - bushtrack		 Length = 1.08 km Time = 25 mins
Climb = 144 m Descent = -12 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads straight up the hill away from the sea. There are some magnificent views, both up and down the coast. Shortly after, the track comes to a clearing, and intersection with a bush track going off to the right, back down the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track heading up the hill and away from the ocean, towards the thick forest at the top of the ridge. The track winds up the long hill to the treeline, where it continues up through the forest, climbing to the top of the long hill where it gradually flattens out and comes to the intersection of the 'Squeeze Way' service trail at the end of the Garrawarra Farm car park.

(3.48 km) The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track to Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way
Track: Moderate - servicetrail		 Length = 1.48 km Time = 28 mins
Climb = 32 m Descent = -34 m
Turn right: From the intersection the track heads away from the farm keeping the no stopping sign on the right of the service track. The track continues for some time relatively flat to lead down a small steeper section at the bottom of which is the intersection marked by a rock on the right of the track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the flat of the management trail, keeping the 'No stopping' signs on the right. The trail continues for approximately 200m along the management trail, to wind onto Garie Rd.

Drive from Int. Garie Rd and The Squeeze way
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk Parking fees apply in the area.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by


Campsites in the park
Bonnie Vale camping ground
North Era camping ground
Uloola Falls camping ground


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Engadine Disposal & Outdoor Centre Pty Ltd 1042 Old Princes Hwy, Engadine (02) 9520 3367 12.2 km
Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment 587 Kingsway, Miranda (02) 9525 6829 16 km
Boots Great Outdoors 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah (02) 9542 8988 17.1 km
Hurstville Disposals & Outdoor Centre 235 Forest Rd , Hurstville (02) 9580 4445 23.2 km
Ute Van & 4WD Accessory World Cnr King Georges & Moorefields Rds, Beverly Hills (02) 9758 2500 25.8 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Garie Road to Era Loop.
Channel Call sign
(more info)		 Site Distance and dir from Garie Road to Era Loop
Click to re-center search
3 VMG3 Mine commsite WESTCLIFF COLLIERY 21 km (to the WSW)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 23 km (to the NNE)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 45 km (to the NNW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only		 49 km (to the N)
8 ROB08 Communications Site MT MURRAY 58 km (to the SW)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place.
(Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago)
This walk passes Illawarra/Shoalhaven fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place.
(Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Royal National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page

Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Royal National Park
Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM
Closed areas: The Coast track upgrade
The Coast track will be undergoing construction works between Beachcomber Ave and Marley Beach over a 9 month period. Works include resurfacing, installation of raised board walk and stairs and will be undertaken between October 2015 and May 2016. During the works it will be necessary, at times, to close the Coast Track for visitor safety. Please be aware that during closures the full coast track walk will not be possible and you may need to plan your route to start and finish at a different location. The Royal National Park alerts page will be updated regularly so please check it before you leave home. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Royal National Park area office on (02) 9542 0632 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.

Closed areas: Wedding Cake Rock
Access to Wedding Cake Rock is prohibited. National Parks and Wildlife Service has undertaken a geotechnical assessment of the rock, which found that there is high chance that it could collapse at any time. Safety fencing has been erected to protect the public while a more permanent solution is developed. This is a really beautiful location and a spectacular rock formation to look at, but the key is doing it at a safe distance from the edge.

Safety alerts: Audley precinct in wet weather
Access across the Audley Weir may be closed due to river flooding during times of wet weather. During wet weather, NPWS advise park visitors to visit Live Traffic NSW to ascertain the status of the Weir crossing before commencing their travel to the park. During times of closure, access to Bundeena, Maianbar residential areas, Royal National Park Visitor Centre, including the Audley Dance hall and cafe, is via McKell Ave Waterfall.


Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Chris - Beautiful Walk IP:122.105.102.xxx | 2008-11-10 11:34:57
We went on the most perfect day for this walk.

Scenery was amazing and the best walk I've done in a long time. We did the walk clockwise.

Overall the walk took 3.5hrs and we struggled through the rough grasses along the coast line. Wear longs if possible.

Quite steep coming back up but definitely do-able and worth it.
Chris - Correction to - Beautiful Walk IP:122.105.102.xxx | 2008-11-11 00:06:09
Sorry I confused this walk with the Palm Jungle Loop Track 10km 5hrs.
Peter - Track hard to follow IP:203.45.37.xxx | 2010-05-07 06:29:05
We did this walk in summer and the weather was perfect. We went the opposite way to the track notes going down the Southern track and back up the Northern. I don't think the Northern track is used very often and it was only the fantastic work of my very intrepid 5 year old daughter that allowed us to find the track at all!! Very overgrown near the coast end. Nevertheless, the scenery was fantastic, nice place for a picnic lunch at Eera, a tough climb back up the hill(led by the 5 year old). thoroughly enjoyed it
Steve - Great walk, overgrown on downh IP:110.33.22.xxx | 2011-04-17 03:24:49
We did this walk last weekend with 3 kids (aged 8-12) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Attacked by leeches on the somewhat overgrown Northern downhill part of the track but breaking out into sunshine and spectacular views around Era more than made up for it.
The kids were fascinated by the shacks - and on return home we scoured the internet for the involved history of their development.
A great day out and a good workout climbing out of Era!
Jonathan - This walk needs updating IP:203.34.60.xxx | 2015-02-02 01:23:41
A friend and I did this walk yesterday. We struggled to verify the start - there are no signs indicating "The Squeeze" way which was confusing.

We could also not see the walks' turnoff "after 200m" on the management trail. We ended up driving to the car park and starting the walk anti-clockwise.

Bad mistake.

The descent is beautiful: Lush forest, eventually giving way to wind-bent vegetation and open plains.

But after crossing Era Gully we got lost. The path back up the hill is just not visible. We searched among the huts, over the hill, around the vertical poles indicating the Coastal Walk - nothing.

Ever since Peter's 5-year-old scout found the path (see post above) it must have overgrown even more.

After 20 minutes of search we gave up and walked back.
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