On this walk you follow the historic Lady Carrington Drive from Willow tree picnic area to Calala before returning the same way. The walk passes two icons on the old road, Gibraltar Rock and Jersey Spring whilst crossing several small brooks. At Calala you will find a large clearing and natural shade from some large trees, there is also access down to a small beach on the side of the shallow Hacking River.
(open in app)
There are closures in Royal National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
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 Willow Tree to Calala bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Willow Tree to Calala 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
10km
Time
4 hrs
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
2.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 2.2km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (430m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 5km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 2.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.6km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 5km requires no previous 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 is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Willow Tree is a picnic area[1] in the Royal National Park. It is found on the south side of Audley, between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The picnic area has a large shelter[2] with 4 picnic tables[fac=8100], an open grassy area[3], parking[4], BBQ's, tap water, garbage bins[5], recycling and toilets[fac=8099]. The picnic area stretches along the river bank and provides a lovely spot to stop and enjoy the park[6] .
Lady Carrington Drive
Alt = 12 m
Opened in 1886 by Lady Carrington, this road was formally named 'Lady Carrington Road' (later changed to 'drive'), and started on the southern side of the then newly constructed Audley weir. The road became popular among people exploring the region. The road follows the Hacking River's east bank and then Bola Creek to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. Much history has been preserved, with several drinking troughs still filling with water and many sandstone retaining walls still standing. The brooks that the old road crosses have been named using the traditional names of birds, the following is a list with the English name in brackets. Mullion (Eagle), Wurrul (Bee Eater), Burowa (Bustard), Karonga (White Crane), Gorra Worra (Laughing Jackass), Buralga (Native Companion), Kobardo (Parrot), Birumba (Plover), Dirijiri (Wagtail), Murrindum (Quail), Dumbal (Crow), Tamur (Bronze winged Pigeon), Burunda (Swan), Karani (Duck), Palona (Hawk) Brooks.
(0 km)
Lady Carrington Drive gate (Willow Tree)
to
Gibraltar Rock Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 429 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -11 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Lady Carrington Drive' sign[7] around the locked gate[8] and along the management trail[9] (keeping the picnic area and river to the right). This walk winds along the trail gently uphill for about 400m to step onto the cobblestone section[fac=8102] below the overhanging Gibraltar Rocks[10] beside the picnic table[fac=8101].
Gibraltar Rock
Alt = 5 m
Gibraltar Rock[11], Royal National Park, is a sandstone overhang found near the northern end of Lady Carrington Drive. The old road passes under the rocks and is home to a small section of sandstone cobblestone[12]. At this point, the old road offers great views of the Hacking River[13] and across to Wattle Forest picnic area. These and many other sandstone formations, together with the history, make this old road quite interesting to explore. There is a picnic table[fac=8101] under the overhang.
(0.43 km)
Gibraltar Rock
to
Jersey Spring Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 2.05 km
Time = 39 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -47 m
Continue straight: From Gibraltar Rock[14], this walk follows the old dirt road, keeping the Hacking River to the right. After 100m, the trail passes over Mullion Brook on an old sandstone culvert[15][fac=8414] and past a series of palm groves[16]. The walk continues along the trail as it gently undulates and winds along the side of the Hacking River for just shy of 2km to come to the two[17] sandstone 'Jersey Spring'[18] troughs.
Jersey Spring
Alt = 13 m
The Jersey Spring is beside the old Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal National Park. The permanent spring feeds into two sandstone troughs, built in 1892 to provide water for horses and people traveling along the road. The troughs are still fed by the same spring (although it has moved overtime and the water is no longer suitable for drinking). The springs are named after Rt. Hon. Victor George (Earl of Jersey), the 17th governor of NSW. More info
(2.48 km)
Jersey Spring
to
Jersey Spring clearing Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 130 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the 'Jersey Spring' troughs[19], this walk follows the old Lady Carrington Drive management trail past the 'Jersey Spring' information sign[20] keeping the river to the right. The trail winds gently downhill for about 100m to come to the large unsignposted Jersey Spring clearing[21][22] and picnic table[fac=8413][23].
Jersey Spring Clearing
Alt = 9 m
The Jersey Spring Clearing is an open grassy area between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The clearing is not formally named but is just south of the Jersey Spring. This is a great area to stop, rest[fac=8413] and enjoy the journey along the old road
(2.61 km)
Jersey Spring clearing
to
Calala Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.61 km
Time = 51 mins
Climb = 74 m
Descent = -80 m
Continue straight: From the Jersey Spring clearing[24], this walk follows the main wide management trail[25] (old road), keeping the clearing and river to the right. The walk passes some interesting rock formations walls[26][27] (on the left) and heads through some palm groves[28][29]. Over the next 1.5km the trail passes over three main creeks before coming to the signposted Kobardo Brook. (Kobado Brook has an old small sandstone water trough[30]). Over the next 1km, the walk continues along the trail as it crosses three more culverted creeks (Birumba, Dirijiri and Murrindum Brooks)[fac=8411] before coming to 'Calala'[31], a signposted clearing[32] and picnic table[33][fac=8410].
Calala
Alt = 6 m
The signposted 'Calala'[34] clearing lies between the old Lady Carrington Drive and the Hacking River. The large clearing[35] has a picnic table[36][fac=8410] and plenty of shade from the surrounding trees. There is an informal steep track[37] that provides access to a small sandy beach[38] on the Hacking River, making this a lovely spot to rest on a warm day.
Drive from Lady Carrington Drive gate (Willow Tree)
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.
Hi Wildwalks,
Could you camp at Calala?
Love the website!
Mark
Hi Mark
It is a nice picnic area, but camping is not allowed here - sorry. The only campsites open to the general public in Royal NP are at Uloola Falls, North Era and Bonnie Vale.
Glad you like the website - Happy walking
Matt :)
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Moderate
1 km
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)