Following well-maintained bush tracks and service trails, this walk descends into the Royal National Park, to a spectacular set of pools and cascading falls on South Western Creek. The Royal National Park Information Centre, on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, is approximately in the middle of this walk and is a great spot to grab a bite to eat before continuing to the falls. Unfortunately, it is necessary to have a car to get from Winifred Falls out of the park.
(open in app)
There are closures in Royal National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Loftus to Winifred Falls bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Loftus to Winifred Falls 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
11km
Time
4 hrs
.
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
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
*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
5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 5km has short steep hills. The remaining (170m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
4.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 1.7km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 1.2km follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.5km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (690m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
(0 km)
Loftus Station
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Int of Princes Hwy and Royal National Park Servicetrail Track: Moderate - road
Length = 681 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -10 m
From Loftus Station, this walk turns left at the top of the stairs and leads down to Pitt Street. The track turns right on Pitt St, crossing the tram line and the northbound lane of Rawson Ave when safe. The walk turns right then crosses the southbound lanes at the traffic lights. This now heads across the Princes Hwy, this is a very busy road at times and this crossing can be difficult, wait for a good gap and be safe. The walk then turns right and heads alongside the highway for approximately 400m (road to the right) where the walk comes to a clearing and heads towards the dilapidated brown cottage. (If you cross tram line again, you have gone to far along the Princes Highway.)
(0.68 km)
Int of Princes Hwy and Royal National Park Servicetrail
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Top of Honeymoon trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail,footpath
Length = 1.99 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -19 m
Turn left: From the intersection of the management trail and the Princes Hwy, this walk proceeds around the wire fencing (around by the brown cottage is the easiest). On the other side of the cottage, the walk joins up with the management trail and continues south-east. Approximately 50m along this section the track passes another trail going off to the east (left). Continuing past this, the walk joins up with the Royal National Park Tramway lines and heads south along the management trail beside them. After quite some time, the walk passes the tram station, which is quite interesting historically, and 50m later, comes to the National Parks Education Centre car park. Continue straight: From the top of the car park, this walk heads downhill through the car park towards the buildings (the area office). The walk heads down the grassy strip, keeping the area office to the left. At the bottom of the grassy clearing, the walk comes to the top of the 'Honeymoon trail' and information sign.
(2.67 km)
Top of Honeymoon track
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Reid Park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.04 km
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -123 m
Continue straight: From the grassy clearing, this walk follows 'Honeymoon Track' sign down the steps into the bush. The track meanders through the bush for a while, until it flattens out slightly before coming into a park. The track turns left and continues to a toilet block.
(3.71 km)
Int of Honeymoon Track and Reid Park
to
Royal National Park Information Centre Track: Moderate - road
Length = 323 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads through the park towards the road and bridge. The walk then follows the road over the bridge to continue up the hill. The road quickly turns right and continues up to the Royal National Park Discovery Centre.
(4.03 km)
Int. Winifred Falls Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Dr
to
Sir Bertram Stevens Drive Access Int. Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 985 m
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 120 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the visitors' centre, this walk crosses Sir Bertram Stevens Drive to the signposted 'Winifred Falls Track'[1]. The walk heads up the stairs to a flat area above the road. The track then continues past a pipeline valve, then heads north-east up a sandstone block-formed track. The track continues north-east, swinging to the right, up the hillside. The walk passes a rocky outcrop, then continues to wind up the hill for some time. The track then turns sharply left near the top, and soon comes to a three-way intersection.
(5.02 km)
Sir Bertram Stevens Drive Access Int.
to
Warumbul Rd Int. Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.2 km
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 29 m
Descent = -29 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the dump, keeping it behind on the right, for approximately 100m. The trail then swings right for approximately 500m down to a creek bed, then rises out again. After approximately 500m, the walk comes to a four-way intersection with an unsealed road, after a gate.
(6.21 km)
Warumbul Rd
to
South West Arm Pools Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.42 km
Time = 33 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -117 m
Continue straight: From the intersection at the gate, this walk heads down the hill following the 'Winifred Falls Fire Trail' sign. The trail then steeply descends, as the vegetation starts to include more trees. The walk continues to wind down the hill for some time to the flat clearing at the intersection.
(7.63 km)
South West Arm Pools Trk
to
South West Arm Pools Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 368 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -9 m
Turn left: From the intersection the track heads north, down stream, leaving the clearing of the intersection down a steep rocky section of track. The track reaches the pool below Winifred Falls within 15m. The track then leads from the pool along the creek line or above the creek line for approximately 300m down stream to a large pool with three large boulders on the left. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
(7.63 km)
South West Arm Pools Trk
to
Int. Mt Bass Trail and Anice and Winifred Falls Trks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 735 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 83 m
Descent = -25 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads out of the clearing and away from the service trail, heading towards the water, and after approximately 10m, comes to a grass plant. From the grass plant, the track continues for approximately 10m upstream, to then cross the river above the small waterfalls. Continue straight: From the creek and waterfall, this walk heads onto a rockshelf where the track turns right, heading steeply up the hill. The walk continues up the hill for approximately 50m to a creek. The track then traverses a spur to a second creek. The walk then continues for a short time to a sign marked intersection.
(8.36 km)
Int. Mt Bass Trail and Anice and Winifred Falls Trks
to
End Mount Bass Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 338 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping relatively straight as the bush track climbs gently for approximately 100m to the end of the management trail.
(8.7 km)
End Mount Bass Trail
to
Int. Bundeena Drive and Mt Bass Trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.3 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 78 m
Descent = -2 m
Veer left: From the end of the management trail, this walk heads up the slight hill, along the defined management trail. The trail leads up through an area of tall trees, then veers left to the ridgeline. Approximately 40m of flat is passed, coming to an area with views of Sydney CBD on the left. The trail then continues along the flat ridge, veering left twice as it continues for a little while to the intersection with Bundeena Dr.
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) 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.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities 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.
Gorgeous pool by Winifred Falls! I didn't realize it would be salt water. Deep, clear, aquamarine pool about 50 metres across and perhaps 100 long; waterfalls above, totally spectacular.
The walk can be made non-linear and longer by turning back after the waterfall (7.68kms), returning to the Visitor Centre on the road (4.05kms), then crossing the footbridge to Currawong Flats and doing the second part of the Heathcote-Engadine-via-Audley walk (you'd be starting at the optional bit after 9.59kms on those walk notes). Then you get a freshwater swim at the lovely Kangaroo Creek before the last slog uphill.
Truly nice walk, great notes! But oh, how nasty it is right at the beginning crossing the Princes Highway as the traffic hurtles north. The traffic lights are for cars only, and they serve the sole function of letting more traffic enter the highway from Loftus. If you are lucky, you might get between 1 or 2 seconds to cross if there are no more than 4 Loftus cars - a nerve-wracking start!
admin - Road Crossing
Super Administrator | 2012-04-17 01:26:54
Hi Molly
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed the walk. Some good ideas on changes to the walk.
Wow that road crossing does sounds crazy, it was quiet when I did it. did you notice a better place to cross? (so I can update the notes)
Thanks
Happy walking
Matt :)
Molly - Road crossing
IP:129.78.32.xxx | 2012-04-19 06:12:26
Alas, the notes identify the only place whatsoever that is crossable. I was there at 7.30am and it was already a battle; rush hour could be even more difficult. But this is the only possible place to cross, and it's clear from the footpad on the far side of the road that every other walker has crossed at this point. At least it's at the beginning rather than the end of the walk if you do it this way, so the nasty bit is out of the way early on!
admin
Super Administrator | 2012-04-19 09:51:51
Thanks Molly I updated the notes to hopefully make it clearer about this road crossing.
Matt :)
Molly - Loftus to Bundeena - try it!
IP:129.78.233.xxx | 2014-05-16 08:13:11
Thanks to these notes I was able to make my way to Bundeena. It's a super walk and much recommended. Not sure of the distance, but maybe around 17kms (5.5 hours without rushing). To extend this walk, get as far as 8.36, but don't go up to Mt Bass (well, you could, and then take Big Marley or Deer Pool down to the coast and then Bundeena, but add more kms). Turn instead onto the path to Anice Falls, described in the Wildwalk called just 'Winifred' http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/royal-national-park/winifred-falls.html
Get to about 0.2kms before the very end of the Anice Falls track, and you'll see a clear path off to the left (northerly). Follow it for about 5 kms. While doing so, you'll cross three fire trails: one to Costens Point, another to Red Jacks Point, and the last to Yenabilli Point. Don't go down them. You finally pop out onto the road at a residential area above Maianbar. Walk on the road for about 150 metres. At Park Road (on your left), look over to the right and you'll see a little track on the non-residential side of the road. Follow it down the hill, turning left at any junction. When you reach the water, turn left and you'll reach the footbridge that goes over the inlet and you'll find the path that leads to Bonnie Vale campground in Bundeena. Follow the foreshore park, then take steps up to a street that leads to Cabbage Tree point and steps down to Hordens Bay. Superlative!
Thanks to the walkers and bikers who made and maintain the delightful trail between Anice Falls and Maianbar.
Greg & Julie - Wini Falls ...lovely
IP:110.20.123.xxx | 2015-06-09 12:00:32
Walked from Bundeena to Loftus yesterday, a few points...
1. Finding the track to Winifred Falls was difficult, we went down the Costen Point fire trail an missed the track, it's very overgrown and easily missed. Perhaps best note is that it's perhaps 100M from the gate at the start of the fire trail
2. Winifred Falls are spectacular, the pool beneath the falls looks beautiful
3. Crossing the highway is treacherous and finding the station is challenging
Despite the challenges it was a great walk
Bruce - Loftus to Bundeena
IP:101.175.29.xxx | 2015-10-16 11:30:11
Just to amplify on Molly's notes: the track which is about 0.2 km short of the Maianbar Road end of the Anice Falls Track is indeed well maintained. I should mention that at each of the fire trails the track doesn't go straight across them - you have to turn left at each fire trail and then you will find the track continuing about 5-10 metres along the fire trail; it is quite obvious.
Don't take a track which seems to veer left from this track - got no idea where it goes!
The road you "finally pop out onto" is Maianbar Road. To find the track going down the hill to the water at The Basin, look for bus shelter on the non-residential side of the road and the track starts right behind it. Beware of another track almost directly opposite the third fire trail (Yenabilli Point) as it is a dead-end.
Also, once reaching the waters edge the track goes left and at one point appears to peter out. It crosses a mud flat for maybe 70 metres. I suspect that in a very high tide this little section would be under water.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
Check out the facilities at 
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)