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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow Royal National Park arrow Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms are found in each of the tabs below
Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms
Time: 6 hrs 30 mins Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
0.8 km NE of Otford
Length: 13.2 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 13.2 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Royal National Park
Climb: 732 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 732 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 There is a train station near the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Hard

From Otford Train Station, this walk enters the Royal National Park at the coast. There are great views of Wollongong down the coast. The walk also passes through the magnificent Palm Jungle and Burning Palms beach. This is a great spot to go, wet the toes, and enjoy the environment. The walk then continues to Figure of 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 via Burning Palms

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Otford Train Station
Otford Lookout
Top of Werrong Beach Track
The Squeeze Way and Burning Palms Tracks
Int. Fig 8 Pool Trk and Coastal Trk
Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
Starting point for this hiking track: Otford Train Station

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

 
Otford Railway Station
 
Otford Railway Station +
 
A distant view of Wollongong from Otford Lookout
 
A distant view of Wollongong from Otford Lookout +
 
A view of the coast at sundown from the grasslands surrounding Burning Palms
 
A view of the coast at sundown from the grasslands surrounding Burning Palms +

 
The track through the grasslands
 
The track through the grasslands +
 
A view of the grasslands
 
A view of the grasslands +
 
Burning Palms Beach
 
Burning Palms Beach +

 
A view along the coast from Figure of 8 Pools Track
 
A view along the coast from Figure of 8 Pools Track +
 
Figure Eight Pools (looking south)
 
Figure Eight Pools (looking south) +
 
The Coast
 
The Coast +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms 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 30 mins
.


Grade 4/6

Track: Hard
AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
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 Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
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
Around 3.6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 3km is very steep.

Quality of track
4.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 900m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (800m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
3km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 2.7km is clearly signposted. The remaining (900m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required
Around 3.9km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 900m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure
4.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 900m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (800m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.
Catch the train to Otford Station
Public transport (train) available to this Bushwalk Check out the facilities at Otford Station
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your train trip to the end of the walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to Otford Train Station
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) Otford Train Station to 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 to 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 to 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 to Int. Fig 8 Pool Trk and Coastal Trk
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 2.12 km Time = 1 Hr
Climb = 66 m Descent = -252 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.

(4.81 km) Int. Fig 8 Pool Trk and Coastal Trk to Burning Palms Beach (southern end)
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 879 m Time = 20 mins
Climb = 17 m Descent = -55 m
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
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.

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.

Catch the train from Otford Station
Public transport (train) available from this Bushwalk Check out the facilities at Otford Station
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your train trip from the end of the walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from Otford Train Station
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
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
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

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 16.2 km
Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment 587 Kingsway, Miranda (02) 9525 6829 21.6 km
Onrope 11 Nelson Ave, Padstow (02) 9709 6299 30.6 km
Boots Great Outdoors 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah (02) 9542 8988 22.9 km
Korries Solar 90 Gipps St , Wollongong (02) 4226 4632 25.2 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Otford to Figure of Eight Pools via Burning Palms
Click to re-center search
3 VMG3 Mine commsite WESTCLIFF COLLIERY 16 km (to the W)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 28 km (to the NNE)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 48 km (to the N)
8 ROB08 Communications Site MT MURRAY 52 km (to the SW)
4 ROB07 Radio Site Mission Australia Complex via Jamberoo Mountain Road KNIGHTS HILL 53 km (to the SSW)

Weather and Park info

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 9 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
John Kha - Great natural formations IP:123.243.15.xxx | 2009-01-03 23:20:38
Walked this as a circuit, via burning palms & back out the same way.

A great walk, definitely worth checking out the figure 8 if you have never been. The formations are amazing on route to the figure 8 also. Careful with clambering over rocks as there are many if you come down this route
James 'millsi' - 8 IP:203.6.77.xxx | 2014-05-12 23:43:46
Walked/ran this one today (12 May 2014). As John Kha did, made it into a loop via Burning Palms (skipped the figure 8 pools as have done them numerous times). Track was in great condition through Palm Jungle with no mud which was nice for a change. Once out of the jungle they have been clearing a new path for some 200m which is nice, also working on installing some more platform walkways. Spotted a Coastal Python near Garawarra Farm. 90min all up leaving from the Otford Lookout carpark.
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