Exploring the southern coast of Royal National Park, this walk experiences different trails and environments, with dense forest at Palm Forest to the open grasslands along the Coastline. With a short side trip out to the Figure of Eight Pools, this walk becomes a great day in the bush. The views from the Burgh Ridge are something special, with views far into the distance along the coast. (Check the tide and wave heights, to avoid disappointment at the rock platform for Figure Eight pools.)
(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 Otford to Figure of Eight Pools Circuit
Cross sectional view of the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools Circuit 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
13km
Time
6 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
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, 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
7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.1km is flat with no steps. The remaining (3km) is very steep.
Quality of track
9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 4.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (360m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 4km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 13km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 4.3km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Otford Train Station
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Otford Lookout Track: Moderate - road
Length = 804 m
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 97 m
Descent = -37 m
From the top of Otford Station, this walk follows the signs to 'Royal National Park' up some stairs. Once at the top of the stairs, the walk turns left and climbs up the steep concrete path for approximately 50m to the top, where it comes to the intersection marked as 'Station Rd'. This walk turns left and follows the flat dirt road, passing an intersection with another road on the left. The walk continues along to the next intersection, where it turns right onto Fanshawe Rd. This walk follows Fanshawe Rd up the long hill until coming to an intersection with an asphalt road signposted as 'Lady Wakehurst Drive'. At the intersection, this walk turns left and crosses the road, continuing for approximately 25m until coming to a car park and the entry into Royal National Park. There is a large green sign here saying 'Otford Lookout'.
(0.8 km)
Otford Lookout
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Top of Werrong Beach Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 217 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer right: From Otford Lookout, the walk heads up the stairs on the seaward side of the car park, winding up the hill and along the fenced of cliffs, keeping the ocean to the right as it steadily climbs up the hill. After a while, the track breaks away from the cliff and continues along the bush track, climbing up the hill until coming to an intersection marked with a signpost saying 'Werrong Beach'.
(1.02 km)
Top of Werrong Beach Track
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The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.67 km
Time = 37 mins
Climb = 97 m
Descent = -50 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the Coast Track along the bush track, winding up the long hill the the top, where it flattens out and continues along a well-managed bush track through a rather beautiful section of ferns. After quite a while, the track joins onto a flat service trail which it follows, undulating gently until it comes to the signposted intersection of the North Era bush track.
(2.69 km)
The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks
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Burning Palms Beach (southern end) Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 3 km
Time = 1 hr 20 mins
Climb = 83 m
Descent = -307 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'North Era' arrow along the bush track, winding through the thick bushland and down a long hill for several hundred metres, gradually steepening before sharply turning left. After the change in direction, the track heads through the 'Palm Jungle' along the narrow bush track. At this point, the track is largely clear but in some places there are obstacles like fallen trees and branches. The track continues in this manner for some time before emerging into grasslands. Continue straight: From the end of the palm jungle and the start of the grasslands, the walk heads through the grasslands and along the coast for a while before winding down to the signposted intersection with the Burning Palms track, near the rangers' hut.
(5.68 km)
Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
to
Figure 8 Pools Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 896 m
Time = 16 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -17 m
Turn right: (only to be attempted at low tide and low swell)
From the beach, this walk follows the rocky passage beneath the rocky headland (keeping the headland to the right). The walk rounds the first prominent headland to a creek that drops off the cliffs above. This walk heads out onto a second prominent headland to the Figure 8 Pools. There are a number of Figure 8-shaped pools, but one main one. The pools are towards the sea, in line with the gully. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Figure Eight Pools
Alt = 4 m
The Figure Eight Pools are on the rock shelf, south of Figure Eight Pools gully, near Burning Palms. There are a number of circular sinkholes in the rock, and a few of them have joined over time to form a figure '8' shape. Two sink holes in particular have joined to form a very spectacular figure '8' shape in the rock. The safest time to visit the pools is at low tide when there is only a very low swell in the ocean.
(5.68 km)
Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
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Int of Burgh Ridge Track and Era Track (West) Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.05 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 79 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer left: From the intersection near the rangers' hut, this walk follows the Burning Palms arrow along the bush track winding around the back of the beach (which is to the right), until it joins onto a metal walkway. This continues until the trail passes several small cabins and begins to head steeply up the long hill, until the track reaches an signposted intersection at the top of the hill. Veer left: 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.
(6.73 km)
Int of Burgh Ridge Track and Era Track (West)
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The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 974 m
Time = 23 mins
Climb = 144 m
Descent = -8 m
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.
(7.71 km)
The Squeeze Way and Burgh Ridge track
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The Squeeze Way and Lilyvale Bushtrack Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 2.67 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 90 m
Descent = -57 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows 'The Coast Track - Lilyvale' sign[1] to head south along the wide management trail. Approximately 150m along, the track passes a small sign saying 'Cliff Track' and 'Burg Track'[2]. The management trail continues to undulate to an intersection with a bush track heading off to the left (approximately halfway down). This is a small side trip which has fantastic views of the ocean and the cliffs. Back on the main service trail, the track continues along the flat until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the 'Lilyvale Track'.
(10.38 km)
The Squeeze Way and Lilyvale Bushtrack
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The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 357 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Burning Palms' arrow along the sandy service trail, winding through the bush for a short while before coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Coast Track'.
(10.73 km)
The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks
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Otford Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.88 km
Time = 43 mins
Climb = 58 m
Descent = -118 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the Otford arrow down the service trail, as it winds through the bush to the end where it becomes a bush track. From here, the track continues along the well-managed bush track through a beautiful section of ferns. After a while, this begins to gradually descend until reaching an intersection marked with a signpost for 'Werrong Beach'. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track, winding down the hill for a short while before coming to the fenced-off edge of the cliffs, which it follows keeping the ocean to the left as it winds down the hill. After a while, the track changes back to a bush track and continues down some wooden stairs to a car park signposted as 'Otford Lookout'.
(12.62 km)
Otford Lookout
to
Otford Train Station Track: Moderate - road
Length = 804 m
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -97 m
Veer left: From the lookout and the car park, this walk follows the 'Otford Station' sign along Lady Wakehurst Drive to quickly meet Fanshawe Rd. This walk turns right onto Fanshawe Rd, which it follows down the long hill until it comes to the intersection of Station St. At the intersection, this walk turns left and continues along the road, passing the intersection with another road heading down to the right and coming to the 'T' intersection of the next dirt road. From here, the walk continues down the hill following the 'Otford Station' signs down the steep concrete path, and down the steps to the station.
Fire Danger 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.
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
Check out the facilities at 
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)