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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Wallumarra to Palona Cave are found in each of the tabs below
Wallumarra to Palona Cave
Time: 4 hrs 30 mins Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
5.9 km ESE of Waterfall
Length: 11.8 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 11.8 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Royal National Park
Climb: 439 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 439 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: Return
Track: Hard

Winding next to Bola Creek, the Wallumarra bush track is very pretty, as is the track to Palona. Great rest areas at Bola Picnic Area, and next to the waterfall at Palona Cave, cap off a great walk. While the Wallumarra service trail and the side trip to the Beehives are not the most interesting tracks in Royal National Park, the Wallumarra bush track and the trail to Palona Cave make up for this. (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 Wallumarra to Palona Cave

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Wallumarra to Palona Cave bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Wallumarra to Palona Cave
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Int. Walumarra Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
Garie Hill
Garie Hill
End of Walumarra Servicetrail
Int of Lady Carrington Drive and Walumarra track
Bola Picnic Area
Int Palona Cave Trk and Lady Carrington Drive
Starting point for this hiking track: Int. Walumarra Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive

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

 
Walumurra Fire Trail on Sir Bertrams Stevens Drive
 
Walumurra Fire Trail on Sir Bertrams Stevens Drive +
 
Bee hives
 
Bee hives +
 
Beside the trail
 
Beside the trail +

 
Section of footbridge on the Wallumarra Bushtrack
 
Section of footbridge on the Wallumarra Bushtrack +
 
The Wallumarra Bushtrack
 
The Wallumarra Bushtrack +
 
The track between Bola Creek and Lady Carrington Dr.
 
The track between Bola Creek and Lady Carrington Dr. +

 
Lady Carrington Drive
 
Lady Carrington Drive +
 
The track to Palona Cave
 
The track to Palona Cave +
 
Palona Cave
 
Palona Cave +

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 Wallumarra to Palona Cave bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Wallumarra to Palona Cave bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wallumarra to Palona Cave bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Wallumarra to Palona Cave 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 12km
Time 4 hrs 30 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 (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 3.4km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 2.6km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track
2.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 1km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 780m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs
2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (780m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 780m requires some bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (780m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

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.
Drive to Int. Walumarra Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
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. Walumarra Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive to Garie Hill
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 249 m Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, this walk heads along the dark gravel service trail in the opposite direction to the arrow on the signpost. The track soon turns left and after approximately 50m, the track turns from the dark gravel to yellow sand. The track soon passes an old trig point on the left to continue for approximately 30m to the intersection.

(0.25 km) Garie Hill to Bee Hives
Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 188 m Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -11 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the back of the signpost, as it heads down the overgrown track. The walk passes through the vegetation to a grassed opening with bee hives.
(Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

(0.25 km) Garie Hill to End of Walumurra Service Trail
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.25 km Time = 39 mins
Climb = 16 m Descent = -68 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads over the speed bump on the track following the sign posts arrow. The track swings right through moderately dense vegetation for approximately 40m to an open short bush area. The walk continues down the hill for approximately 300m to turn left. The track continues for approximately 200m to turn right, heading down the hill to where it flattens out. After approximately 1km of flat, the track enters a clearing on the left, the end of the service trail.

(2.5 km) End of Walumarra Servicetrail to Int of Lady Carrington Drive and Walumarra Bushtrack
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.53 km Time = 41 mins
Climb = 29 m Descent = -171 m
Continue straight: From the end of the Walumarra service trail, this walk heads along the bush track away from the service trail. The track opens out and it is possible to see the valley below. From here, the track begins to steeply descend the hill using rock stairs. The track nears the bottom and flattens out slightly, continuing down the hill until reaching Bola Creek. At this point, the track track turns sharply to the right and continues along the creek bank. After a short period, the track crosses a small tributary of Bola Creek. Continuing along the track, there are several sections that have been boardwalked. After the boardwalk is finished, the track continues beside the creek until coming to a well-marked crossing. On the other side, the track goes slightly up along the well-managed bush track for approximately 100m until coming to an intersection with a service trail. This is signposted as the 'Walumarra Track'.

(4.03 km) Int of Lady Carrington Drive and Walumarra track to Bola Picnic Area intersection
Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 74 m Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m Descent = -3 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the main wide dirt trail[1], keeping the valley to the right. The trail bends right and leads down into the valley for about 60m passing the 'red cedar' information sign[2][3] to come to the signposted three-way intersection with 'The Forest Path'[4] beside the the Bola Creek picnic area[fac=8407][5], just before the creek.

(4.1 km) Bola Picnic Area to Int Palona Cave Trk and Lady Carrington Drive
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.04 km Time = 21 mins
Climb = 25 m Descent = -42 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Audley 9km' arrow[6] gently downhill along the wide trail to cross the culverted Bola Creek[7]. The trail then bends left and leads steeply up for about 200m where the trail then gently undulates through the forest[8][9] for about 800m before coming to the faint intersection, with the signposted 'Limestone Cave' bush track[10] (the timber sign is behind a tree on the left, before the signposted 'Palona Brook'[11]).

(5.14 km) Int Palona Cave Trk and Lady Carrington Drive to Palona Cave and Waterfall
Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 781 m Time = 19 mins
Climb = 69 m Descent = -9 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Limestone Cave 1.6km' arrow along the track, heading up the hill and away from the road. The walk continues up a long hill, winding through dense forest for a short while before flattening out and continuing along the side of the hill. The walk winds through the bush and passes several rock overhangs and outcrops either side of the track, as the walk make its way along to the Palona Caves at the end of the track.

Drive from Int. Walumarra Trk and Sir Bertram Stevens Drive
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
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 10.6 km
Paddy Pallin Adventure Equipment 587 Kingsway, Miranda (02) 9525 6829 13.8 km
Boots Great Outdoors 23 Koonya Cct, Caringbah (02) 9542 8988 14.9 km
Hurstville Disposals & Outdoor Centre 235 Forest Rd , Hurstville (02) 9580 4445 21 km
Ute Van & 4WD Accessory World Cnr King Georges & Moorefields Rds, Beverly Hills (02) 9758 2500 23.7 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Wallumarra to Palona Cave.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Wallumarra to Palona Cave
Click to re-center search
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 21 km (to the N)
3 VMG3 Mine commsite WESTCLIFF COLLIERY 23 km (to the WSW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 43 km (to the NNW)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
46 km (to the N)
8 ROB08 Communications Site MT MURRAY 60 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 8 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.


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