This 58 mile sq. park is located only a short 18 mile drive south from Sydney's business district on the shoreline.
It was the second National Park established in the world. The first being Yellowstone. Royal National Park was founded April 26th, 1879.
It offers camping, hiking, beaches, picnic areas, barbecues and biking paths.
Things to see and do:
https://youtu.be/jyqx9y_ANyU
There is a $12.00 Fee to Enter...but come along with me...today we will explore it for Free!
One of the most popular walks (hiking trails) is The Coast Walk also referred to as The Wallumarra Track. This 30 mile hike is recommended over a two day period, and runs from Bundee to Otford. It offers spectacular coastal scenery.
Hiking the Coastal: Day 1
https://youtu.be/yzfj3KOGmcc
The Bluebottles he mentions on the first beach are these:
and this is why he won't be swimming.
Less deadly but still giving a painful sting. These are connected in clusters and bob along across the water. Even when washed up on the beach and dead they can still sting if touched or stepped on.
Beautiful, but best avoided.
If stung by a Bluebottle the usual trick of vinegar or urine to deactivate the sting does not work with these...and actually stimulates the stinging cells to discharge more venom...OUCH!
Saltwater, then ice is the best treatment.
Coastal Walk: Day Two
https://youtu.be/dZWIGZrYSrE
On the Coastal Walk we saw one of the more known formations in RNP:
Wedding Cake Rock
Secondary to vandalism (graffiti) and an instability in the sandstone causing a student to fall to his death...the site has been closed off to tourists since 2016. A larger fence is now erected blocking access on the area with a $300 fine if it is climbed.
The area is now vigorously patrolled.
This video taken a couple years back
Wedding Cake Rock Walk
https://youtu.be/xC2ZPBS2tGE
The park is made up of Coastal shelves, mangrove and marshes, palm forests and waterfalls.
There are five Waterfalls in the RNP
Watermolla Falls
Curracurong Falls
Winifred Falls
Toonoum Falls
National Falls
And a good video of National Falls. Even captures a first-person view of walking behind the falls!
https://youtu.be/A9YuwEeXr0c
The RNP also has one naturist or sanctioned nude beach within its perimeters.
The Werrong Beach.
Small and secluded...and nearby camping...with reports of wallabies often hopping through at night.
Absolutely beautiful overhead drone footage of the entire Royal National Park.
https://youtu.be/Ij08Uv_96-A
Hope you enjoyed the (virtual) adventure!
More anon...
Royal National Park at Night